The San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants are making a habit of clashing for great games. Their latest chapter however, unfolded in a 23-20 overtime Giants win at Candlestick Park on Jan. 23.
In a rematch of a regular-season meeting that the Niners won, New York turned the table, staying undefeated all time in NFC Championship games at 5-0. San Francisco got off to a hot start after a 73-yard catch and run from tight end Vernon Davis that broke a scoreless tie and gave the 49ers a 7-0 lead. But behind the suddenly elite Eli Manning, the Giants ran off 10 straight points in the second quarter to take a three-point lead at halftime.
Davis answered again with a 28-yard scoring reception that gave San Francisco the lead back but a feisty Giants pass rush kept San Francisco from pushing the score any higher. Both teams would take turns trading defensive punches, with both units coming up with timely sacks and stops. After throwing for 299 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over the New Orleans Saints, Niners quarterback Alex Smith couldn’t find the same success against New York. Despite two touchdown passes, Smith looked confused against the Giants’ aggressive rush. New York’s defense kept the score low enough for Manning to find Mario Manningham for a 17-yard score to retake the lead at 17-14 in the final quarter.
San Francisco tied the score at 17-17 after David Akers’ 25-yard field goal which would count as the final points in regulation. The 49ers were set to begin their second possession of the extra period before return man Kyle Williams fumbled, giving the Giants the ball back in scoring range. Kicker Lawrence Tynes stuck a 31-yard field goal straight down the middle and the Giants were off to their second Super Bowl appearance since 2008. Fittingly, New York will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, the same team they trumped 17-14 in their 2008 appearance.
