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.