In 2008, the Giants won in overtime of the NFC Championship game on the road thanks to a Lawrence Tynes field goal and advanced to the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. In 2012, the Giants have done the exact same thing, beating San Francisco 20-17 to setup a rematch with New England.
The defenses stood tall in this game with the San Francisco defense tightening in the second half. New York moved the ball effectively in the first half, scoring ten points and converting frequently on third down. But, in the second half the Giants three and out four times and struggled to gain any yardage as the San Francisco defense battered Eli Manning.
But the 49ers made two huge mistakes and they cost them the game. Leading 14-10, the 49ers defense forced the Giants to punt with just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. That's when New York got its first huge break because Kyle Williams, the 49ers punt returner, inexplicably got too close to the punt and it careened off of his knee. Officials on the field initially ruled it San Francisco ball, but Tom Coughlin challenged the call and the Giants got the ball at the 49ers 29-yard line. On 3rd-and-15 from the San Francisco 17, Eli found Mario Manningham in the end zone for a touchdown and New York took a 17-14 lead.
The 49ers came right back and kicked the tying field goal, but both squads squandered chances to win the game in regulation as they traded possessions three times in the final six minutes. New York won the coin toss in overtime, but they went three and out and San Francisco did the same. The Giants moved the ball a bit, but Eli was sacked on third down to setup another punt.
And that is where the second 49ers mistake changed the game. Ken Williams fielded the punt, but Joaquin Williams forced him to fumble and New York had the ball at the 49ers 24-yard line. The Giants ran the ball from there, got to the San Francisco 6 and Lawrence Tynes connected to win the game.
Unlike 2008, the Giants are only three-point underdogs in the Super Bowl.
