GIANTS WIN! 2012 Super Bowl Will Again Match Giants With New England Patriots

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Giants 20, 49ers 17 (OT): San Francisco Fans React To Gut-Wrenching Loss

The New York Giants are headed to Indianapolis to faceoff against the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl XLII. While the Giants did plenty to win Sunday night games, especially on defense, San Francisco 49ers fans may understandably be a bit bitter about their 20-17 loss in overtime. Specifically, Kyle Williams' two lost fumbles on punt returns, filling in for the injured Ted Ginn no less, led to 10 points for the Giants including the game-winning fielf goal.

First, a note on Williams. @NinersNation reminds fans to have some perspective, and show some humanity after an emotional loss.

Meanwhile, Doug Farrar of Yahoo! Sports said what was on the minds of many fans during the game.

David Fucillo over at the Niners Nation blog was still distraught.

It doesn't get much worse than that. The 49ers had chances to win this game and advance to Super Bowl XLVI, and instead the season is over. This one is going to sting all offseason and beyond. The chances were there and it didn't happen. I don't know what else to say. This is about as low as it can get. Yes it is amazing the team got into this position, but right here, right now, that does not make it any easier to accept what just happened.

The San Francisco Chronicle praised the unlikely run the Niners made to the NFC Championship Game, but just had to, HAD TO, bring up San Francisco's championship game loss to New York on a field goal over 20 years ago.

It ended a remarkable season for the 49ers, who were given no chance by anybody to get this far. The fourth-quarter comebacks, the great defense and stellar special teams will be remembered. But first, 49ers' fans will remember the burning feeling of another Giants field goal sending them home. New York also ended the 49ers attempt at a three-peat in the 1990 Championship Game.

Finally, from someone on the field himself. Donte Whitner explains the feeling after a bittersweet season (via Matt Maiocco of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area).

Stay tuned to the SB Nation New York StoryStream for more post-game coverage of Sunday's AFC Championship Game. Check Big Blue View to join a discussion with Giants fans. For complete coverage of the NFL playoffs you can also visit the SB Nation NFL Hub Page.

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Special Teams The Difference In Giants' 20-17 NFC Championship Game Victory

Heading into the NFC Championship Game the San Francisco 49ers figured to have an advantage on special teams, with All-Pro players in punter Andy Lee and placekicker David Akers, plus return man Ted Ginn.

Well, Ginn did not play due to a knee injury and the two biggest plays in the Giants 20-17 overtime victory were miscues by replacement return man Kyle Williams.
Devin Thomas recovered both Williams miscues, setting up a fourth-quarter touchdown and the game-winning Lawrence Tynes field goal.

“That play at the end of the game, just a great play to give us an opportunity,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said in a jubilant Giants locker room. “Jacquian Williams knocks the ball out, Devin Thomas recovers the ball, we got a chance.”

Thomas recovered the second fumble at the San Francisco 24 and the Giants did, indeed, have a chance. They didn’t blow it, either, and will now face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, a rematch of their meeting four years ago.

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Giants Vs. 49ers, Fourth Quarter Score: 2012 NFC Championship Game Headed To Overtime

After the San Francisco 49ers kicked a field goal to tie the score at 17-17 in the fourth quarter, Sunday's NFC Championship game saw five consecutive punts between the two teams to ultimately send the game into overtime.

Neither offense could get anything going, with both teams trading 3-and-outs for four straight possessions after the 49ers field goal. Eli Manning found himself under constant pressure from the niners' front seven. He looked like this after one incomplete pass:

via assets.sbnation.com

Alex Smith did not fare any better, going 2-for-6 passing and taking two sacks on the Niners' final three possessions of regulation. Victor Cruz almost made a spectacular catch to convert on third down during the Giants' final possession, but ultimately couldn't haul the pass in.

The Niners tried to one last desperation pass from about their own 40-yard but Delanie Walker's fumbled reception was recovered by the Giants as time expired.

via assets.sbnation.com

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Giants Vs. 49ers, Fourth Quarter Score: San Francisco Field Goal Ties Game At 17 Apiece

The San Francisco 49ers responded right back to Eli Manning's touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, going on a six-play, 48-yard drive to the Giants' 8-yard line to set up a 25-yard David Akers field goal. With less than five minutes remaining in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, the Niners and Giants are tied at 17 apiece.

The 49ers had tremendous success on the ground on the drive. Alex Smith picked up 17 yard on a 1st-and-10, which Kendall Hunter followed up with an 18-yard run. The Giants held on the next set of downs, however, holding Michael Crabtree two yards short of the sticks on a 3rd-and-5 pass.

The Giants punted on their next possession after another three-and-out.

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Giants Vs. 49ers: New York Capitalizes On Muffed Punt, Take 17-14 Lead

The New York Giants had been getting thoroughly dominated offensively in the second half, punting on five straight possessions to open the half. They got an enormous stroke of luck when a Steve Weatherford punt barely glanced off the knee of San Francisco 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams, however. Devin Thomas seemed to be the only one to realize that ball was actually live, scooping up the ball and running into the end zone despite the refs blowing the play dead.

via assets.sbnation.com

The Giants didn't get the touchdown that should have earned, but they did take over deep on the 49ers' 29-yard line. Eli Manning moved the offense up to the 12-yard line before a holding penalty pushed them back. Manning was eventually able to find Mario Manningham cutting in front of the secondary on 3rd-and-15 for the 18-yard score score. The Giants lead 17-14 midway through the fourth quarter.

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Giants Vs. 49ers: Niners' Tarell Brown Leaves Game After Running Into Teammate

Bad news for the San Francisco 49ers. Tarell Brown had to leave the game late in the third quarter after he ran into teammate and safety Dashon Goldson while trying to intercept an errant pass by Eli Manning. Brown was able to walk off the field under his own power, though there's no word yet on his status.

via assets.sbnation.com

Both Niners would have had a great shot at a picking off the pass if the other hadn't broken up the play. Instead, the Giants were forced to punt for the fourth time in the half. The 49ers still lead 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

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Giants Vs. 49ers, Third Quarter Score: Alex Smith Finds Vernon Davis To Take 14-10 Lead

The San Francisco 49ers struck first in what had been a very defensive start to the second half. Alex Smith threw his second touchdown pass of the day to Vernon Davis, hitting him in stride once again on the 28-yard play. The Niners lead the New York Giants 14-10 as we approach the latter portions of the third quarter.

Prior to the Niners' big-play, neither team had been able to find much offensive rhythm. The third quarter began with three straight punts, with the Giants managing just one first down between their two possesions. Smith struggled mightily on the 49ers' first drive of the half, as the New York secondary put the clamps down on a shorthanded receiving corps. He fared much better on his second try, however. Davis' touchdown reception was set up by a 24-yard gain on a screen pass to Frank Gore.

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Giants Vs. 49ers Halftime Score: New York Leads 10-7

The New York Giants lead the San Francisco 49ers 10-7 at halftime from Candlestick Park in the NFC Championship Game.

The Giants tied the score at 7 with 11:21 to play in the second quarter when Eli Manning found tight end Bear Pascoe with a pass from 6 yards out. Pascoe had zero touchdowns during the regular season. The 69-yard scoring drive was sparked by a 36-yard pass to Victor Cruz on third down and 6.

Manning has been money on third down since the back end of the regular season and that trend has continued into today's NFC Championship Game.

After the touchdown drive, the teams traded punts. New York got the ball back with about a minute and a half left to play. Victor Cruz made some fine catches to get the Giants in field goal range. Lawrence Tynes snuck a 31-yard field goal inside the left upright to give the Giants a 10-7 lead before the half.

The Giants will get the ball to start the second half.

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VIDEO: Eli Manning TD Pass Ties Game Against 49ers

The New York Giants tied the game at 7 following an Eli Manning 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bear Pascoe. Manning had to improvise his throw on the touchdown. He has had success with improvisation so far in the first half and especially on the touchdown drive.

Pascoe had zero touchdowns and only 12 receptions during the regular season. For the Giants, his first touchdown couldn't have come at a better time. The catch capped a 10-play, 69-yard drive for the Giants.

The Giants had trailed 7-0 after the first quarter. The only score in the first frame came on a 73-yard touchdown pass reception by 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.

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Giants Vs. 49ers, First Quarter Score: New York Trails 7-0

The New York Giants trail the San Francisco 49ers 7-0 after the first quarter of play at Candlestick Park.

The 49ers took the lead on a blown coverage on a second down and 10 play. San Francisco 49er quarterback Alex Smith hooked up with tight end Vernon Davis for the 73-yard touchdown bomb.

The play was reviewed to see if Davis had stepped out of bounds around the Giants' 30-yard line, but the touchdown was upheld. Davis was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for jumping on the camera stand.

The Giants only had two full drives in the first quarter. Their first drive stalled and New York punted. The second drive was halted on a fourth and 1 at the San Francisco 34-yard line when Brandon Jacobs was stopped short of the line to gain. The Giants' third drive of the quarter began with just 30 seconds to play.

Rain began to fall again in the stadium as the first quarter ended.

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Giants Vs. 49ers, NFC Championship Game: Mark Herzlich Among Giants Inactives; Ted Ginn Out For 49ers

The New York Giants have just released their inactives for tonight's NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers (via 49ers.com).

WR Ramses Barden, RB Da'Rel Scott, LB Mark Herzlich, C Jim Cordle, DE Justin Trattou, DT Jimmy Kennedy, T James Brewer are all listed as inactive.

The Giants will have RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Hakeem Nicks, DE Justin Tuck, DE Osi Umenyiora and DB Corey Webster available tonight. All spent time on the injury report during the week.

The 49ers also released their list of inactive players (via 49ers.com).

QB Scott Tolzien, WR Ted Ginn, Jr., CB Shawntae Spencer, FB Moran Norris, G Daniel Kilgore, G Mike Person, NT Ian Williams are listed as inactive for tonight's contest.

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Giants Vs. 49ers, 2012 NFC Championship Game: Sunday Weather Forecast Update For Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

The weather prediction for Sunday night's NFC Championship Game between the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco (6:30 p.m., TV: FOX): 52 degrees with a 100 percent chance of precipitation and winds of 13 mph from the South (via CBS San Francisco). That precipitation could be in the form of a thunderstorm.

The field at Candlestick Park was already soggy to begin with today. Expect to see the field pretty chewed up during tonight's game. Those field conditions would seem to favor the 49ers and their rushing game. San Francisco is currently a two-point favorite for the game (odds via Oddshark).

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2012 NFC Championship, Giants Vs. 49ers: New York Giants Injury Report

New York Giants center David Baas and tight end Jake Ballard were both late additions to the injury report after missing practice on Friday, but running back Ahmad Bradshaw returned to the field and is expected to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Baas was held out of practice due to illness and is probable for Sunday. Ballard was bothered by a knee injury and is the only Giant listed as doubtful.

Bradshaw (ankle), linebacker Mark Herzlich (ankle), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (ankle), defensive end Justin Tuck (shoulder), defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) and cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) were all probable after being limited during the session.

Quarterback Eli Manning (illness) participated fully and is also probable. Nicks was another late addition to the injury report after practicing fully on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Rex Ryan Predicts New York Giants Will Reach Super Bowl

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan doesn't always shower his crosstown rivals with love. But Ryan said Friday that he expects the New York Giants to win the NFC Championship Game and earn a bid to the Super Bowl.

Ryan told WFAN's Mike Francesa that he believes New York should be able to disrupt the San Francisco 49ers using a four-man pass rush, and he predicts the Giants will meet the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl.

Reminded that he guaranteed that the Jets would be in the Super Bowl this season, Ryan responded, "When I said that I truly believed it was our time."

After finishing 8-8 and missing the playoffs, Ryan said he expects to change aspects of his coaching philosophy. Specifically, he noted that his famed bravado might have seen its last days.

"I try to put things on me, my back. ... In actuality I might have been putting more pressure on my guys," he said. ...

"I want to be a great head coach. I want to be. Am I there yet? No, I'm absolutely not there yet, but I am willing to work to get there."

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View. For more Jets coverage, visit our team page or our blog Gang Green Nation.

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AFC Championship Game 2012, Patriots Vs. Ravens: Which AFC Foe Creates Best Matchup For Giants

Sunday’s AFC Championship Game may be Ray Lewis’ last legitimate shot at a Super Bowl in Baltimore, but it will also be the biggest game of Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs’ careers. However, the Ravens Pro-Bowl defenders have their legacies cemented in history. A victory would be the mot redeeming for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

Despite Flacco’s 6-3 career record, Sunday’s game will be a defining game for his career and millions of eyes will be glued to his passes with judgmental eyes. For more than a decade, the Ravens locker room has been locked in an internal clash with its elite defense. More specifically, quarterbacks have received a brunt of the criticism. Until this week, however, public criticism was limited to voices emanating outside the locker room.

Ed Reed isn’t known for his big hits but on Wednesday he may have dealt a crushing blow to his own quarterback’s confidence when he said in radio interview that he believed the Texans defense rattled Flacco.

Reed’s comments couldn’t have come at a worse time for Flacco, who has already vented against the widespread disrespect he’s observed in the media towards his play. To make matters worse, he’s spent the entire week listening to comparisons between himself and his AFC Championship counterpart, Tom Brady. Despite Brady’s 4-1 record against the Ravens, Baltimore’s defense has seemingly found the ingredients to make Brady seem mortal in previous meetings. In five starts against Baltimore, Brady has posted a Tebow-like 71.9 quarterback rating and completed just 55.9 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and six interceptions.

Offensively, the Patriots will no-huddle in an attempt to keep the Ravens defensive attack off balance but the Ravens have the personnel to matchup with New England’s armory of tight ends and receivers. If Brady can strike iron in the vertical passing game, it could be a long day for the Ravens, who simply can’t afford for the AFC Championship Game to turn into a shooting contest and risk taking the game out of Rice’s grip and into Flacco’s inconsistent arm.

If the Giants win on Sunday, their Super Bowl XLVI opponent will feature a rematch of one of their two Super Bowl appearances in the 2000s. Although, the cast of names and faces surrounding Ray Lewis has changed, Baltimore remains a defensive juggernaut and Tom Brady continues to lead New England’s explosive passing scheme.

So which opponent would be a better matchup for the Giants? The Giants would likely never admit this but the Patriots are the team they want to line up across from on Super Bowl Sunday. Not only did they thwart Brady’s undefeated season in Super Bowl XLII but the Giants also beat the Pats in Week Nine this season and the Giants vaunted pass rush bothered Brady.

The Ravens, on the other hand, don’t rely on Flacco to move their offense. They’ll grind it out with Ray Rice and Flacco will dissect the defense with the occasional big play. They’re also the only team with a swagger and braggadocio to match the Giants.

Arian Foster’s 132-yard performance against the Ravens defense was the first time a running back had gained 100 plus yards against Baltimore’s run defense in Texans history. The Giants 32^nd rushing offense doesn’t have the personnel to duplicate those numbers. In a potential matchup with the Ravens, Eli Manning will have to throw vertically.

Unfortunately for Manning the Ravens are at the top of the class at ball hawking and Reed is the league’s valedictorian. In the fourth quarter of last weeks Texans game, Reed stamped the Ravens ticket to Sunday’s AFC Championship courtesy of the eighth interception of his postseason career. One more would be an NFL record. Eli would have a better shot at shredding the Patriots pass defense than he would at avoiding Terrell Suggs vicious pass rush and squeezing the ball past Reed in the secondary.

Lewis would be responsible for putting the clamps on Jacobs and Bradshaw. The Pats don’t have a defensive frontline that can contain Rice out of the backfield or as a receiver. The Pats got so desperate that in the off-season, they traded for the troubled Albert Haynesworth in an attempt to remedy their porous passing front line. Haynesworth was cut after a failed stint eight-game stint. Ironically, Haynesworth was cut after getting into a sideline argument with defensive line coach Pepper Johnson and reportedly throwing in the towel during the Pats Nov. 6 loss to the Giants.

The Giants don’t have control over whom they’ll face in a potential Super Bowl tango but if they are honest with themselves, Brady and the New England Patriots are the tango partner they want to meet on Super Bowl Sunday.

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Perry Fewell: 'I'm just trying to keep the job I have'

Following Perry Fewell's first season as New York Giants defensive coordinator he interviewed for four head coaching jobs. This off-season Fewell has not been mentioned for any of the available head coaching jobs. He spoke on his chances at becoming a head coach at a recent press conference:

"I'm just trying to keep the job I have. I'm happy not to see my name in print sometimes, so I don't know. I've been focusing on the job at hand and that hasn't been a concern for me," Fewell said.

If the Giants defense continues to play like they have, and they go on to win the Super Bowl, Fewell may be doing more than "just trying to keep his job" this off-season.

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SI.com: Three Things You Should Know About The NFC Championship Game

SI offers three things you should know about Sunday's New York Giants-San Francisco 49ers matchup, and picks the Giants to win.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/chris_burke/01/19/giants.49ers.preview/index.html

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2012 NFC Championship Game, Giants Vs. 49ers: New York Names Mark Bavaro, Michael Strahan And Rich Seubert As Honorary Captains

The New York Giants will honor their championship teams of the past by having Mark Bavaro, Michael Strahan and Rich Seubert serve as honorary captains for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. The three players combined own four Super Bowl rings among them.

Bavaro won the Super Bowl twice, playing on the 1986 and 1990 season championship squads. He recorded over 1,000 yards receiving during the regular season prior to the Giants first Super Bowl win, making the first Pro Bowl of his career. He would be released after the Giants' second championship because of a degenerative knee condition.

The video below is the most memorable moment in Bavaro's Giants career.

(via moontheloon1127)

Seubert is another former Giants tight end, released from the team in July of 2011 while also struggling with a knee injury. He played 10 seasons for New York, earning his ring against the then-undefeated New England Patriots following the 2007-08 regular season.

Strahan doesn't need much introduction. His 22.5 sacks in 2001 set an NFL season record that still stands today. Strahan capped his Hall of Fame career with the Super Bowl win over the Patriots. He retired in July of 2008 with 141.5 career sacks.

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Giants Injury Report: Eli Manning Returns To Full Participation In Practice

The New York Giants released their injury report on Thursday while continuing to prepare for their matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Quarterback Eli Manning returned to full participation in practice after leaving practice early on Wednesday with an illness. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (Ankle) was the only player out of practice on Thursday

Defensive ends Justin Tuck (Shoulder) and Osi Umenyiora (Ankle/Knee), linebacker Mark Herzlich (Ankle) and cornerback Corey Webster (Hamstring) were all limited in practice today.

On the 49ers side, tight end Delanie Walker (Jaw) was back at practice and catching passes. He said jaw injury is doing better and that he might be able to play this weekend. Center Jonathan Goodwin (calf), wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (Knee) and safety Dashon Goldson (Knee) were not in practice on Thursday (via SF Gate).

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NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Conference Championship Round

Two Super Bowl berths are on the line this weekend in the AFC and NFC championship games.

Sunday's 2012 NFL playoff schedule follows:

Sunday at 3 p.m. (Eastern): Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

The Patriots smacked the Denver Broncos on Saturday, but outlasting the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday is expected to be considerably tougher. The Ravens boast a handful of the NFL's best defenders, and Tom Brady has gone on record to say that Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata are among the best in NFL history ever to play their respective positions. A key factor could be how the Ravens decide to cover the Patriots' twin tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, who collectively wreaked havoc against Denver this past weekend.

Related: Ranking The Final Four Quarterbacks

Sunday at 6:30 (Eastern): New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers

The Giants got hot late in the regular season and continue to ride the momentum. Eli Manning has been stellar all season long and deadly in the fourth quarter, his wide receiver weapons have been dynamic and the Giants defense has regained the fierce pass rush that led New York's 2008 Super Bowl title.

The Niners are typically led by their solid defense, Frank Gore's running and Alex Smith's game management, but with the season on the line, Smith and Vernon Davis rose to the occasion to lead two late scores against the New Orleans Saints.

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NFC Championship Game 2012, Giants Vs. 49ers: NFL Game Capsule

NOTES

CLUBS MEET for 8th time in postseason & 49ers lead series 4-3. All-time regular-season series is tied 14-14, incl. 49ers’ Week 10 win (27-20)…SF is 4-1 at home vs. NYG in postseason. Giants won only NFC Champ meeting between teams (1990), 15-13 at SF.

GIANTS: Playing in 18th Champ Game (NFL & NFC), most in NFL history. Are 4-0 all-time in NFC Champ Games. Head coach TOM COUGHLIN has led NYG to 5 postseason appearances, tied with BILL PARCELLS for most in team history. Has 6 postseason road wins in career, 1 behind HOFerTOM LANDRY (7) for most all-time. Giants had 2 players selected to Pro Bowl: QB ELI MANNING (2nd) & DE JASON PIERRE-PAUL (1st)…QB Manning has won 4 consecutive road playoff games. Passed for 330 yards & 3 TDs last week in Div. In postseason career, has passed for 1,904 yards & 14 TDs, most in franchise history. Had franchise-record 4,933 pass yards & 8 300-yard games in reg. season. Has 23 career 300-yard games (incl. playoffs), most in team history. Recorded 7th consecutive season with 3,000+ pass yards & 20+ pass TDs, most in team history. Had 15 4th quarter TD passes in reg. season, most ever in season, topping HOFer JOHNNY UNITAS & PEYTON MANNING…RB BRANDON JACOBS has 4 career rush TDs in playoffs, tied with JOE MORRIS (4) for most in franchise history. Since start of 2005 (incl. playoffs), has 60 rush TDs, 4th most in NFL. RB AHMAD BRADSHAW is 1 of 7 players in NFL with 1,800+ rush yards (1,894) & 80+ receptions (81) since start of 2010 season…WR HAKEEM NICKS had 7 catches for 165 yards & 2 TDs last week in Div. Had 6 catches for 115 yards & 2 TDs in WC. Is 3rd WR in SB era with 2+ games in single postseason with 100+ yards & 2+ TDs, joining HOFer JERRY RICE (1989) & LARRY FITZGERALD (2008). Nicks’ 165 yards are 2nd most by Giant in playoff game (BOB SCHNELKER, 1959, 175 yards). Nicks had 72-yard TD in WC & 66-yard TD in Div. Is only player in NFL history with 66+ rec. TD in consecutive games in same postseason. Ranked 2nd on team in reg. season with 76 catches, 1,192 yards & 7 TDs. Only player in team history with 75+ catches, 1,000+ yards & 7+ TDs in consecutive seasons. WR VICTOR CRUZ had team-record 1,536 rec. yards in reg. season, 193 more than previous mark (1,343, AMANI TOOMER). Had team-high 9 rec. TDs in reg. season, incl. 99-yard TD in Week 16, tied for longest in NFL history. Had 5 rec. TDs of 65+ yards in reg. season, 2nd most in season in NFL history (6, HOFer ELROY "CRAZYLEGS" HIRSCH, 1951). Had 7 100-yard games in reg. season, most by Giant in season. Cruz (1,536) & Nicks (1,192) are 1st set of Giants to each record 1,000+ rec. yards in same season. WR MARIO MANNINGHAM has 20 career rec. TDs incl. postseason & has TD catch in both postseason games…DE Pierre-Paul ranked 4th in NFL during reg. season with 16.5 sacks. Joined HOFer LAWRENCE TAYLOR & MICHAEL STRAHAN as only Giants with 16+ sacks in season. DE JUSTIN TUCK had 2 sacks in SB XLII, tied for most in postseason game by Giant. In past 24 games (incl. playoffs), DE OSI UMENYIORA has 22.5 sacks & 12 FFs. Has 5 career postseason sacks, incl. 2 last week. LB MICHAEL BOLEY had 2 sacks in Div. CB COREY WEBSTER led team with career-high 6 INTs in reg. season.

49ERS: Make 13th Champ Game appearance. Are 26-17 (.605) in postseason all-time. Head coach JIM HARBAUGH is 1 of 3 head coaches in team history to win division in 1st year as head coach (GEORGE SEIFERT, 1989 & STEVE MARIUCCI, 1997). In reg. season, club led NFL with +28 turnover differential, best mark in franchise history. In Div., forced 5 turnovers (3 FR, 2 INT) & had +4 diff. 49ers tied for NFL lead with 8 players selected to Pro Bowl: K DAVID AKERS (6th), S DASHON GOLDSON (1st), RB FRANK GORE (3rd), P ANDY LEE (3rd), CB CARLOS ROGERS(1st), DT JUSTIN SMITH (3rd), T JOE STALEY (1st) & LB PATRICK WILLIS (5th)…QB ALEX SMITH has won 15 of past 18 starts overall. Passed for 299 yards, 3 TDs & 103.2 rating last week in playoff debut. Also had 28-yard TD run. Joins HOFer JOE MONTANA & JEFF GARCIA as only SF QBs with 3+ pass TDs & rush TD in playoff game. In career (incl. postseason), team is 11-0 when he starts & has 100+ rating. In reg. season, threw 5 INTs, tied for 3rd fewest in season in NFL history (min. 400 att.). Had 17 TDs & his 3.4 TD-INT ratio in reg. season was 3rd best in team history, trailing 2 seasons by HOFer STEVE YOUNG (1992 & 1994)…RB Gore rushed for 1,211 yards in reg. season, his team-record 5th 1,000-yard season. Is franchise’s all-time leading rusher with 7,625 yards, passing HOFer JOE PERRY (7,344). Rushed for 89 yards & averaged 6.8 yards per carry in Div…TE VERNON DAVIS had 7 catches for 180 yards (25.7 avg.) & 2 TDs in Div. His 180 rec. yards are most by TE in NFL postseason history & are 2nd most by 49er in playoff game, trailing HOFer JERRY RICE (215 yards, 1/22/89). Since start of 2009 (incl. playoffs), has 28 TDs, most among NFC TEs. WR MICHAEL CRABTREE had 1st career postseason TD catch last week. 49ers have won 8 of past 9 (incl. playoffs) when Crabtree has TD catch…Rush defense led NFL in reg. season allowing 77.3 yards per game & total defense was 1st in NFC (308.2). 49ers allowed 3 reg. season rush TDs, fewest in 16-game season (since 1978). Was 1st team in NFL history to not allow rush TD in each of 1st 14 games to start season. Club allowed 229 points (14.3 per game) in reg. season, fewest in NFC & 2nd fewest in NFL. LB ALDON SMITH led NFL rookies with 14 sacks, 2nd most ever by rookie in reg. season. Had sack in postseason debut. DT Smith had 7.5 sacks in reg. season & is 1 of 3 players in team history with 6+ sacks in 4 consecutive seasons. Had sack in Div. LB NA VORRO BOWMAN led team in tackles during reg. season. LB Willis has been selected to Pro Bowl in 1st 5 seasons…K Akers set NFL season records with 44 FGs & 166 kicking points. Has scored in 20 consecutive playoff games & passed HOFerGEORGE BLANDA for 2nd longest streak. Is 2nd in NFL postseason history with 34 FGs & 3rd with 146 points. P Lee had NFL season record 44.0 net punting avg.

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Donte Whitner Of The 49ers Thinks The Giants Talk Too Much

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Giants Injury Report: Eli Manning Leaves Practice Early With Illness, Ahmad Bradshaw Held Out

The New York Giants released their latest injury report as they prepare for their matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Quarterback Eli Manning (Illness) did not finish practice today. The team is hoping Manning just has a 24-hour bug.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (Ankle) was the only Giants player held out of practice on Wednesday.

Defensive ends Justin Tuck (Shoulder) and Osi Umenyiora (Ankle/Knee) and cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) were all limited in practice today.

Linebacker Mark Herzlich (Ankle) was also limited in practice after missing the playoff game against the Packers.

As for the 49ers, tight end Delanie Walker (Jaw) was limited in practice. Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (Knee) and center Jonathan Goodwin (Leg) were held out of practice. Defensive tackle Ray McDonald (Hamstring) was seen working on the sideline with a trainer. (via SF Gate)

The SB Nation New York StoryStream will have everything you need to know leading up to the Giants-49ers matchup. Check Big Blue View to join a discussion with Giants fans. For complete coverage of the NFL playoffs you can also visit the SB Nation NFL Hub Page.

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Giants Vs. Packers, 2012 NFC Championship Game: Eli Manning Leaves Practice Due To Illness

Not what the New York Giants wanted prior to Sunday's 2012 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers: a stomach bug for Eli Manning.

The Giants quarterback left practice early on Wednesday with an illness, but did attend team meetings in the afternoon.

Coach Tom Coughlin said the team is hoping it's "just a 24-hour bug," and wide receiver Mario Manningham did not sound worried when asked about Manning's status.

Related: NFC Championship Offenses, Position-By-Position

"He’s going to be alright. He’s sick," receiver Mario Manningham said. "There ain’t nothing wrong with his hands or nothing. He’s just sick. He’ll take some meds, he’ll be cool. Eli’s a tough guy. That’s four days from now it’ll be Sunday. He’ll be cool."

Manning, who has started in 128 straight games including the postseason, is expected to return to practice on Thursday. David Carr received first-team reps in Manning's absence.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

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Eli Manning 'Definitely' Thought Giants Could Make Playoff Run After Team Fell To 7-7

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning made his weekly appearance on ESPN Radio in New York today to talk about the win over the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round and whether or not he doubted his team could be in the position they are currently in (via Sports Radio Interviews).

Manning thought before the game against Green Bay that it would have been closer than it ended up being. Manning was guarded about the performance of the referees, citing Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.

From there I thought whether the one fumble early on that they ruled down I had a lot of text messages after the game from people saying that was definitely a fumble but Coach Coughlin talked to us today about ‘hey don't get involved with the refs, let me handle the refs.'

Manning also said that he didn't doubt that the Giants could be playing for a spot in the Super Bowl even after the team was sitting at 7-7 following a loss to the Redskins.

"Yeah. I think definitely. That was the mindset that we had. We had a tough loss that game but we had done our work earlier in the season getting off to a fast start and we had beaten Dallas the week before so we knew the circumstances and we knew that we had to go play against a good team in the Jets and then the Cowboys again and we just had to win those two. We could get hot. We know we're a team that can get hot anytime and start playing great football. It's just a matter of kind of everything coming together, getting the players back, getting the opportunities, and we never lose our confidence in that. Sure enough that's exactly what started happening. Our defense has stepped up, they've been playing outstanding and offensively we've been playing smart not making mistakes, being patient, and knowing the big plays will come if we don't make the big mistakes."

The Giants will be looking for more big plays from Manning, who threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns against Green Bay, Sunday against San Francisco.

The SB Nation New York StoryStream will have everything you need to know leading up to the Giants-49ers matchup. Check Big Blue View to join a discussion with Giants fans. For complete coverage of the NFL playoffs you can also visit the SB Nation NFL Hub Page.

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Giants Vs. 49ers, 2012 NFC Championship Game: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman Will Have The Call For FOX

New York Giants fans are probably a little sick of listening to the FOX crew of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman broadcast the team’s games this season. They will be listening to Buck and Aikman again this Sunday, however, when that duo broadcasts the Giants’ NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Most likely, Giants fans won’t mind listening to Buck and Aikman, along with sideline reporters Pam Oliver and Chris Myers. The alternative, of course, is listening to Buck and Aikman do the game without the Giants playing in it.

The game will be broadcast across the Giants radio network. On the Giants flagship
WFAN – 660 AM in the Tri-State area – Bob Papa will call the play-by-play, Carl Banks will be as the analyst and Howard Cross will handle the sideline reporting. Anita Marks and Roman Oben will host the pre- and post-game shows, starting at
4:30 p.m.

The game will be broadcast across the nation by Westwood One with Kevin Harlan and Dan Fouts as the announcers, Mark Malone doing the sideline reporting and Scott Graham hosting the pre-game and halftime shows.

Finally, the game will also be broadcast in Spanish by Univision. Rafael Hernandez Brito will call the play-by-play and Eduardo Martell will serve as the analyst.

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49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh Expects 'Much Different' Giants Team On Sunday

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Giants' Antrel Rolle: 'I've Always Expected Greatness From This Team'

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle today discussed the mindset of the team as they prepare for the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 22 at Candlestick Park.

We're not going to be denied at this point. We understand what we have as a team. It's not all about talent. It's about chemistry. We're gelling at this point. Coaches and players are on the same page at the same time. We have one goal in mind, which is to win the championship.

Rolle also said that this year's Giants team feels different to him than when he was on the 2008 Arizona Cardinals.

This run feels different - more of the fact that this is what I expect from this team. I've always expected greatness from this team although we didn't do it week-in and week-out throughout the season. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that we're here and we're striving and we're fighting to get better each and every week.

The 2008 Cardinals went 9-7 like this year's Giants and reached the Super Bowl, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Can this year's Giants team top that Cardinals team?

The SB Nation New York StoryStream will have everything you need to know leading up to the Giants-49ers matchup. Check Big Blue View to join a discussion with Giants fans. For complete coverage of the NFL playoffs you can also visit the SB Nation NFL Hub Page.

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Super Bowl XLVI Odds: New York Giants 3-1 Second Choice