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Another Giant Stunner

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

Updated: 01/21/2008 12:22 am

GREEN BAY, Wis. - It took the temperature to reach minus-3 and feel like minus-23 for hell to freeze over.

Those were the improbable glacial conditions the New York Giants faced on the road against Green Bay in historic Lambeau Field. The odds were also against this wild-card team to win its 10th road game this season, against Packers quarterback Brett Favre. This was also a Giants team quarterbacked by Eli Manning, whose regular-season touchdown passes (23) nearly mirrored his interception total (20).

New York was able to rise above its numerous mental mistakes, and a missed field goal before the end of regulation, to upset Green Bay, 23-20 in overtime, and advance to this year's Super Bowl to play against New England. The win is New York's 10th road victory this season and third consecutive playoff triumph.

The last NFC Championship overtime game occurred on Jan. 17, 1998, when Atlanta defeated Minnesota, 30-27.

"We've come through a lot. We're here. We're deserving of this. We're happy to be here," Manning said.

New York kicker Lawrence Tynes probably would have preferred to be anywhere else after the end of regulation. Manning led his team down to Green Bay's 18-yard line with four seconds remaining, and Tynes, who had missed a 43-yard attempt in the fourth quarter, attempted a 36-yard field goal.

After a high snap, the ball was placed down perfectly for Tynes, but he missed it to the left and New York's Super Bowl hopes were on ice.

Green Bay took over on its own 26-yard line, and after Packers running back Ryan Grant's 2-yard run, Favre attempted a pass to receiver Donald Driver. New York cornerback Corey Webster stepped in front of Driver and intercepted Favre, and the Giants took over on their opponent's 34-yard line.

New York advanced to Green Bay's 29-yard line before giving Tynes an opportunity to redeem himself with a 47-yard field goal, which he made.

"I started running after I hit it," Tynes said. "I've got to give credit for our defense for stepping up and getting my back."

Maybe for the first time in his career, Manning deserves credit for carrying the Giants on his back during the playoffs.

Manning competed 21 of 40 passes for 254 yards against Green Bay, outshining Favre, who completed 19 of 35 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and added two interceptions. During New York's three playoff games, Manning completed 53 of 85 passes for 602 yards and four touchdowns, but more importantly, never threw an interception.

Favre has contemplated retirement for the past two seasons, and recently hinted he would consider returning, but has not determined if Sunday's game would be his last.

"Had we won this game and won the Super Bowl, I would think about what happened in that game, go home and think about where I wanted to go from there. I don't know if that will change now," Favre said. "Had we gone to the Super Bowl and lost, I would have been disappointed there, too. Had we been fortunate enough to win, the decision is still there. I am not going to rush to make any decision, but it will probably be much quicker than it has been in the past."

New York showed on its first possession it was not ready depart Green Bay without a fight.

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs flattened Packers strong safety Atari Bigby on his first run from scrimmage (a 3-yard gain), and Manning led his team on a 14-play, 71-yard drive that resulted in Tynes' 29-yard field goal. New York took an early 3-0 lead after that kick.

Tynes added to New York's lead when he made a 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter, giving the Giants a 6-0 advantage.

Green Bay had its back against a windy wall when the Packers took over on their own 10-yard line early in the second quarter. If New York held Green Bay to three-and-out, the Giants likely would have taken over in Packers territory.

Instead, Favre responded by throwing a 90-yard touchdown pass to Driver, giving Green Bay a 7-6 lead.

The Packers added to their advantage when kicker Mason Crosby made a 36-yard field goal with 1:34 remaining before halftime, and Green Bay took a 10-6 lead into halftime.

New York's most important confidence builder occurred when it opened the third quarter.

The Giants faced three third-down opportunities and converted two because of Green Bay penalties, and the other via a 1-yard run by running back Brandon Jacobs. After two Green Bay offside penalties on the Packers' 1-yard line, Jacobs scored on a 1-yard run to give the Giants a 13-10 lead. New York's drive lasted 12 plays, traveled 69 yards and lasted 7:04 minutes, but the Giants had enough self-assurance to pull of an improbable victory.

New York's defense limited Grant to 13 carries for 29 yards, and gave up 28 overall, while the Giants' running game produced 134 combined yards and two touchdowns.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com

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