Story Created:
Jan 23, 2012 at 1:18 AM EDT
Story Updated:
Jan 23, 2012 at 3:05 AM EDT
SAN FRANSISCO - The New York Giants will be playing for the biggest prize in the NFL for the second time in four years and just like Super Bowl XLII, they'll be facing the New England Patriots.
The Giants beat the San Fransisco 49ers 20-17 in overtime of the NFC Championship Sunday night, which mirrored Big Blue's win at Green Bay four years ago. In that game, just like this one, Lawrence Tynes hit the game winning field goal in overtime.
Eli Manning threw a pair of touchdown passes in the game, to Bear Pascoe and Mario Manningham, while Alex Smith of the 49ers also threw two TDs, both to Vernon Davis. With the game tied at 17 after four quarters, the two teams went to overtime, where Kevin Williams fumbled a punt return, setting up Tynes for the game winning field goal.
With their win over San Fran, the Giants improved to a perfect 5-0 in NFC Championship games. NY is 3-1 in the Super Bowl, with their only loss coming in Super Bowl XXXV, to Baltimore. In their most recent trip, Super Bowl XLII four years ago, the Giants beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots, one of the greatest upsets in sports history, not just the NFL.
The Patriots, meanwhile, advanced to their fifth Super Bowl in the last eleven years and their seventh overall, after a 23-20 win over Baltimore. The Ravens had two chances at the end of the AFC Championship to either win or tie the game, but both failed. Former Buffalo Bills receiver Lee Evans nearly caught a go-ahead touchdown, but the ball was knocked away by New England's Sterling Moore.
Seconds later, Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff attempted a 32 yard field goal to tie the score and send the game to overtime. But his kick was off target, thus allowing New England to hang on for the win.
Super Bowl XLVI can be seen live on NEWSChannel 2 Sunday, February 5th, with kickoff between the Giants and Patriots set for 6:30 p.m.
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