Giants Advance To Super Bowl With 20-17 Overtime Win Over 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a heartbreaker of a loss on Sunday when they fell in overtime to the New York Giants in the 2012 NFC Championship Game.

The key turning point came in the first overtime, when punt returner Kyle Williams was stripped of the ball on a return and the fumble was recovered by the Giants, leading to excellent field position for New York and the eventual winning field goal. Angry football fans took to Twitter, blogs and call-in radio to heap scorn upon Williams after the loss.

Amid all the venom, David Fucillo of Niners Nation took a moment to provide some sanity regarding the situation:

As for Kyle Williams struggles, he will be the goat for this game, but he and others who struggled have bright moments. Complain all you want, but no need for personal attacks on players who have done so much for this team this year.

Williams is only a second-year player, likely with a bright future ahead of him. Hopefully he will have a chance to redeem himself before long.

For more on the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The 2012 NFC Championship Game saw a hard-fought and close affair, as was predicted by most. In the end, the New York Giants defeated the hometown San Francisco 49ers in overtime by a final score of 20-17.

John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reported that the game drew a 33.4 rating, which is up from the 33.0 rating that the 2011 Championship Game pulled in. Last year's contest saw the Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears as a prelude to winning the Super Bowl.

It should be noted that this year's NFC Championship Game had a 6:30 p.m. EST time, while last year's was at 3:30 p.m.. This may have played a factor in the rating, but the matchup between the Giants and 49ers was seen as far less of a predictable outcome than the 2011 edition.

For more on the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants put on a pretty epic performance in Sunday evening's NFC Championship game, but it was the visiting team that left Candlestick Park on top. Lawrence Tynes hit a game-winning field goal in overtime following a special teams' blunder as the Giants advanced to the Super Bowl to face the New England Patriots.

The video highlights weren't as exciting as they have been in some games featuring these two teams as only 37 points were scored in a game that went well into overtime, but they're embedded below in case anyone was unable to watch the game.

Lawrence Tynes wasn't talked about much on television following the game, but he has to be cementing his place as one of the top kickers in professional football as he's now kicked two game-winners to force the Giants into the Super Bowl.

For more on the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View along with SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub, either, for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling NFC Championship game on Sunday night and Eli Manning set a new record in the process. Manning won his fifth road game, which is a new NFL record. He won three straight road games in the Giants first Super Bowl run back in January 2008 and he won two this year in the divisional round and, on Sunday night, the NFC Championship game.

Manning's not the only Giant with new NFL records for road wins. Head coach Tom Coughlin tied Tom Landry with seven career road playoff wins.

Manning is only 30 years old so he'll likely have a chance to extend his record, and it wouldn't surprise me if Coughlin passed Landry sometime in the next couple of years.

The Giants are a well-tested team away from their home stadium, which is good news as they head to Indianapolis to face the New England Patriots in the 2012 Super Bowl.

Here's a look at the complete NFL playoffs bracket. For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York.

Kyle Williams made two crucial errors in the 2012 NFC Championship Game on Sunday, but it is likely that the second, larger mistake will be the one for which he is remembered, at least for the time being.

With the game tied 17-17 in overtime, the 49ers defense had managed to stop the Giants twice under the new overtime rules. San Francisco lined up for the punt return and Williams made the catch. As he attempted to return the ball, he fumbled it away to New York, setting up excellent field position for the eventual winning field goal that sent the Giants to the Super Bowl. It should be noted that the second-year player Williams was returning punts because starter Ted Ginn Jr. was out of the game with a knee injury.

Josh Dubow of the Associated Press via the Chicago Sun-Times relayed some comments from Williams following the game.

You hate to be the last guy that had the ball, to give it away in that fashion and to lose a game of this magnitude. It is what it is. We're going to move forward as a team. Everyone has come to pat me on the back and the shoulder to say it's not me.

It was one of those situations where I caught the ball, tried to head upfield, tried to make a play and it ended up for the worse.

Williams appeared shaken up after the game as a result of his fumble, but his teammates are already being vocal in their support of the young player.

"I told him we're all in this together," San Francisco All Pro linebacker Patrick Willis said. "I believe in him. If I had a do-over, he'd still be my guy back there. He's a tremendous athlete."

The support of his teammates will go a long way, even if Williams ends up being vilified for the play in the city of San Francisco.

For more on the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

Say what you will about the man, but Eli Manning is tough. On Sunday, facing a 49ers defense with a relentless front seven, Manning took a pounding from the left, right and everywhere in between as the New York Giants struggled to find a foothold. It wasn't pretty as Manning and the Giants tried to figure out Vic Fangio's attacking scheme, but Manning and his team survived and advanced to the Super Bowl.

As Manning continued to take his beating, one had to wonder if he would eventually stay down. Take this sack for instance, which is funny to watch in slow-motion, but painful at the same time.

By the fourth quarter, Manning looked like he'd been hit by a lawnmower. His helmet was jarred, his uniform stained and ripped and ... well, just look at his eyes.

That picture, and the one below, came after he hit Ahmad Bradshaw for a nice gain late in the fourth quarter, with the Giants driving in hopes of tying the game.

We pause to note punter Steve Weatherford also had helmet problems. His were self-inflicted, and came about during the celebration, however.

Manning finished the game 32-of-58 for 316 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. But dang, he looked like he'd been through 12 rounds while fighting way above his weight class by the time it was all said and done. And it's certainly worthy of respect.

For more on the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

Before his two turnovers as a punt returner for the San Francisco 49ers swung the NFC Championship Game, there was little reason for the average sports fan to know anything about 49ers WR Kyle Williams.

Williams wasn't even supposed to be returning punts, as he was thrust in that role after an injury to Ted Ginn Jr. in the 49ers divisional round victory over the New Orleans Saints.

He's not even close to the most famous sports figure in his family, as his father, Kenny Williams, has been the combative and often controversial GM of the Chicago White Sox since 2000.

His older brother, Kenny Williams Jr., is an outfielder for the Double AA Birmingham Barons in the White Sox minor league system, a team which became famous as the site of Michael Jordan's ill-fated turn as a baseball player.

His younger brother, Tyler, is a third baseman in Rookie ball for the White Sox organization as well.

Kyle was drafted in the 46th round of the MLB draft in 2006, but opted to play both baseball and football at Arizona State before breaking ranks with the rest of his family to become a professional football player.

Now he'll need to lean on his baseball routes in order to overcome the two biggest mistakes of the 2011 NFC Championship Game, which could loom over the rest of his career if he's not careful.

It's incredibly disappointing to see the words directed at San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and punt returner Kyle Williams. It was Williams who fumbled the last punt of the game, setting up the New York Giants' game-winning field goal in overtime. And it was Williams who was the overwhelming target of angry fans' ire.

With Twitter and social media in general, the ability to instantly react is both a gift and a curse. In Williams' case, fans abused that ability to instantly send him thoughts, bombarding his mentions with threats and other harsh words. To say it was bad would be putting it mildly.

For example:

@KyleWilliams_10. I hope you, youre wife, kids and family die, you deserve it

— JAVIER PASQUEL (@javpasquel) January 23, 2012

There's worse, and much of it isn't fit for public consumption -- littered with swear words, slurs and worse. A check of his mentions or a Twitter search reveals just how bad it got after the game, and how bad it continues to be.

It's embarrassing to see the outbursts and the threats. Sports are emotionally charged by nature, but there's absolutely no reason for a fan or observer to lash out in the way many have at Williams.

There are plenty of 49ers fans tweeting words of encouragement and other positive thoughts, but the actions of those taking aim at Williams were absolutely disgusting and overshadow it all. Be better than this. Think before you speak. And please, don't take it out on a kid who made a mistake in a game -- no matter how high-profile that mistake was.

Edit: Patrick Willis is straight class.

@KyleWilliams_10 keep ur head up. U r my brother n teammate N I would put u back there all over again. We all lost this game tonight not u.

— Patrick willis (@PatrickWillis52) January 23, 2012

The New York Giants are going to Super Bowl XLVI. And for the second time in five years, they got to the NFL's ultimate game thanks to Lawrence Tynes making a field goal in overtime of the NFC Championship Game on the road.

Tynes put a 31-yarder dead center to give the Giants a 20-17 victory in the 2012 NFC Championship Game and set up a rematch of Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots.

Tynes had previously hit a game-winning overtime field goal for the Giants in the 2008 NFC Championship Game to beat the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

"Oh my gosh, twice," he told FOX's Pam Oliver after the game.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The Niners had just stopped Eli Manning, forced a Giants punt, and racked up their sixth sack on the day. And then Kyle Williams made his second error on a punt return of the 2012 NFC Championship Game. This one may be fatal to the Niners' Super Bowl XLVI chances.

Kyle Williams had the ball punched out by Jacquian Williams of the Giants, who had already made a couple of plays on defense.

None will be bigger than his brilliance on special teams, especially if New York can convert their fantastic field position to a scoring drive that propels them to the Super Bowl.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants are in overtime in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. The score is tied 17-17 in the first quarter of overtime.

The Niners were able to stop the New York Giants on the opening possession in overtime, under the new NFL overtime rules. On first down, Alex Smith faked a pitch and came up short on a pass to Kyle Williams. A handoff to Frank Gore resulted in a loss of two yards, leaving the 49ers quickly looking at 3rd-and-12 on their own 21 yard line.

Smith took the snap out of shotgun and completed to Vernon Davis, who was tackled just short of the first down. The field position make a fourth-down conversion attempt too risky and the 49ers punted it away.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants started five-for-seven on third down in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. Since that point, they have gone two-for-13. That's a pretty succinct explanation of why the Giants have just 17 points in this game, and it's also why the San Francisco 49ers can now win in overtime with a field goal.

The Giants did not go three and out in overtime, as they did multiple times in the second half and fourth quarter, but Eli Manning was unable to get anything going on the first possession of the first NFC Championship Game played under the NFL's new overtime rules.

That means that the 49ers can win the game with any points on their first drive of overtime.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers gained one last chance to win the game within regulation when they forced the New York Giants to punt with 20 seconds left in regulation in the fourth quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. The score was tied 17-17 when Kyle Williams returned the punt 14 yards to the San Francisco 36-yard line.

On first down, Alex Smith completed to Frank Gore for a short gain and the Niners took a timeout. On second and 7, Smith was forced out of the pocket and tackled for a loss, after which San Francisco took their second timeout with four seconds left on the clock. Smith was able to complete a long pass to Delanie Walker as time ran out, but Walker was unable to shake his tacklers, sending the game to overtime.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

Eli Manning's fourth quarter heroics in the 2011 NFL season have become the stuff of legend. But Manning was only very close to pulling off a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game.

Pressured throughout a final drive, Manning made a great throw to Ahmad Bradshaw to get the Giants near Niners territory, but his last throw of the drive, a third-down strike to Victor Cruz, was just a bit too hard for the receiver to pull in.

Cruz has 10 catches for 142 yards in the game, but has not made a catch since the Giants' first drive of the second half.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers were able to get another chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game against the visiting New York Giants. The score remains tied 17-17 late in the game.

The 49ers came up with a huge stop inside the two-minute warning to take over again with 1:47 left in regulation. The Niners started their possession at their own 29 yard line. Quarterback Alex Smith was pressured and threw two quick incomplete passes to set up 3rd and 10. The Niners were 0-for-10 on third-down conversion attempts at that point, which would run to 0-for-11 when Smith threw another incomplete pass to force the punt back to the Giants with 1:29 left in the quarter.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants had the ball with the game on the line and the NFL's best fourth quarter quarterback in 2011 under center. And Eli Manning failed not once, but twice, with the Giants going three and out twice with the score tied at 17-17 in the 2012 NFC Championship Game.

Just like on the first three-and-out at 17-17, Manning misfired on a deep throw, missing Victor Cruz by feet on a seam route on third down. But unlike the first three-and-out, Manning took a sack on the series, with San Francisco's defense claiming its fifth takedown of him on first down.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

We nearly saw overtime between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game and the ending of the NFC Championship is shaping up to be similar. The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers are all tied up at 17 late in the fourth quarter.

As a reminder, the NFL's playoff overtime rules a little different. It's no longer a sudden death situation but a modified version of sudden death. The rule changes were designed to avoid a team receiving the kickoff and promptly moving down the field for the game winning field goal without the other team having a chance to possess the ball.

In the new rules, the team that receives the ball first can only end the game via a touchdown (or the other team can end it via a safety). If they score a touchdown on their first possession, it's over. But if they don't score or only kick a field goal, the other team will get a chance to have the ball. After each team has had a possession, the game moves to sudden death.

We'll see if this reminder of the playoff rules is needed.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blogNiners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

After tying the game 17-17 in the fourth quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game with a David Akers field goal, the San Francisco 49ers were able to shut down the New York Giants and force a punt.

San Francisco took over on their own 35 and opened the set of downs with an incomplete Alex Smith pass intended for Michael Crabtree. Smith handed the ball off to Frank Gore, who picked up three yards up the middle. Smith then took a snap out of shotgun and was wrapped up for a sack and a big loss. The three-and-out led to a San Francisco punt with under five minutes left in regulation.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

If Eli Manning's going to lead his seventh game-winning fourth quarter comeback this season against the Niners in the 2012 NFC Championship Game, the Giants are going to have to get him the ball back to do it. The Giants went three-and-out after the Niners rallied to tie the game at 17-17 in the fourth quarter.

Manning threw to Travis Beckum on short passes on first and third down of the drive, but his second down overthrow of Mario Manningham will hurt the most. Manning had him located, and Manningham had a step on the San Francisco defense, but the ball whizzed well beyond his reach.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants are all tied up in the fourth quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game. The score stands at 17-17 with just over five minutes remaining in the quarter.

Kyle Williams was able to grab some small measure of redemption after allowing a Giants punt to glance off his knee a few minutes earlier, leading to a Giants recovery and go-ahead touchdown. On the kickoff, Williams returned the ball 40 yards to start the San Francisco drive at their own 45-yard line.

Alex Smith started the drive by overthrowing Delanie Walker downfield. There was a flag on the play for illegal hands to the face by the Giants, leading to a new first down and a five-yard gain to put the Niners at midfield. Alex Smith was forced out of the pocket on the next snap and found room to run, picking up another first down. Smith then pitched to Kendall Hunter, who ran for another 18 yards and yet another San Francisco first down, putting them in the Giants red zone.

Smith completed a pass to Gore for a gain of five yards to get the team to the 10-yard line. Smith faked a handoff but was pressured into throwing the ball away. Smith completed a pass to Michael Crabtree short of the first down, which was the first pass of the game to a 49ers wide receiver.

David Akers came on for the 25-yard field goal attempt. He nailed it to tie the game with 5:43 left in regulation.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

Eli Manning hadn't been able to find much downfield in the second half against the San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. But the fourth quarter has been Manning's forte all year, and his scoring strike to Mario Manningham midway through the fourth quarter against the Niners put the Giants up, 17-14.

With Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz locked down, Manning stepped up and threw a rope to Manningham, who went airborne to make the catch and came down with it fully secured.

The 17-yard reception was Manningham's first of the day, and could scarcely have been better-timed: the Niners had dominated the second half to that point, and the Giants were facing a field goal try that would have felt like a squandered opportunity after New York got the ball in Niners territory after recovering a punt touched by Kyle Williams.

Instead, they have the lead.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants were down four points in the fourth quarter and got a huge break as they were able to recover the ball following a punt.

The ball bounced off of the right knee of Kyle Williams and was picked up by the Giants. The ruling on the field was that the 49ers did not touch the ball, but upon review that call was overturned. Here is a gif of the ball hitting the knee, which was blown up by FOX:

The play has all the earmarks of potentially being a huge turning point in favor of the Giants in this crucial fourth quarter.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants have done a fair bit of pass rush harassment in recent weeks, disrupting the passing games triggered by Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, and Aaron Rodgers in their unlikely run to the 2012 NFC Championship Game. They're having the script flipped on them by the San Francisco 49ers on this Sunday, though.

Eli Manning took his fourth sack of the day early in the fourth quarter at the hands of Aldon Smith, and his passing game, at times unstoppable in the first half, has been gummed up in the second half.

But a miscue by San Francisco's Kyle Williams, who had a Steve Weatherford punt go off his knee and get recovered by Devin Thomas, may just be the spark the Giants need.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers are currently hosting the New York Giants in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. Early in the fourth quarter, the 49ers still hold a 14-10 lead.

The 49ers had a scary moment as they halted a Giants drive, when Tarell Brown and Dashon Goldson collided while both attempted to intercept an Eli Manning pass. Brown hit the ground hard and stayed down for a very long time, but was able to leave the field under his own power.

New York punted the ball away following the injury delay. The Niners got the fair catch and took over on their own 12-yard line. Alex Smith handed off to Frank Gore, who ran for 11 yards and a San Francisco first down. The carry took Gore over 100 rushing yards in the game. Smith then threw to Delanie Walker to take the 49ers to the 30-yard line as the quarter wound to a close, but the Giants were called for unnecessary roughness, giving San Francisco an automatic first down and an additional 15 yards from the end of the run.

As the final quarter got underway, the 49ers had a new set of downs at their own 45-yard line. Gore got the handoff, broke a tackle and picked up six yards. Anthony Dixon took the next handoff but lost his footing and ended up short of the first down. On 3rd and 1, Dixon was unable to punch through and San Francisco punted away.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants may have finally caught a break on offense in the second half of the 2012 NFC Championship Game. It's just not really the one the Giants would have wanted — Tarell Brown and Dashon Goldson collided while looking to haul in an interception from Eli Manning, giving the Giants a chance to pun rather than forcing them to defend the Niners on a short field.

The collision was a nasty one, and left Brown down on the field for several minutes.

But while a stretcher was readied for Brown, he eventually made it off the field with assistance.

After a strong first half that ended with Victor Cruz carving up the Niners, the Giants have stalled in the second half, and have failed to make it into 49ers territory so far.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers are leading the visiting New York Giants by a score of 14-10 in the third quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game.

The 49ers got a big stop following the Alex Smith-Vernon Davis touchdown that put them back on top in the third quarter. They started their drive at their own 26 and gave the ball to Frank Gore for a short gain of three yards. Alex Smith had a short pass on play action that was intended for Gore tipped by the New York defenders and fall incomplete. Smith was forced out of the pocket and threw to Gore, who gained five yards, but not enough for the first down. The Niners had gone three-and-out and were forced to punt yet again.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants have done a decent job of neutralizing the big names on San Francisco's defense — sack artists Justin Smith and Aldon Smith have not heard their names called very often. But Ray McDonald has heard his a few times.

McDonald burst through the middle of the line on another Giants third down late in the third quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game, and led a pack of Niners that swarmed Eli Manning to force another Giants punt.

The sack gave McDonald, who has come into his own as an NFL player in 2011, 2.5 for the day. And with the Giants likely looking to pass from here on in, given their deficit, he may have more opportunities.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the New York Giants in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. The 49ers lead by a score of 14-10 in the third quarter following the second touchdown of the game by Vernon Davis.

The 49ers got the ball back midway through the third quarter. Kyle Williams made the best return by either team thus far, running the New York punt back 24 yards to the San Francisco 46.

Frank Gore took the first-down handoff and picked up a couple of yards up the middle. On the next play, Smith hooked up with Gore for a 24-yard pass that took the Niners inside the New York 30-yard line. On the next play, Smith heaved another deep pass to Vernon Davis in the end zone for the second touchdown of the night for the pair, giving the 49ers the 14-10 lead.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants have used success on third down and Victor Cruz to make their late run to the 2012 NFC Championship Game. But while the former is having a fantastic game in said game, the San Francisco 49ers are doing their best to limit the Giants on third down.

Pressure forced Eli Manning to throw the ball away on another third down in the third quarter, leaving the Giants just five-for-11 on third down on this Sunday. That's a bit off their playoff pace: the Giants were a combined 16-for-31 against the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers in the first two rounds of the NFC playoffs.

But Cruz' big day has continued: he has 10 catches for 142 yards after two for 17 yards on that drive.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The second half is underway in the 2012 NFC Championship game between the New York Giants and the hometown San Francisco 49ers. Early in the third quarter, the Giants lead by a score of 10-7.

The Niners came up with another big stop on New York's first possession of the half, forcing a punt. San Francisco started on their own 32 yard line and quarterback Alex Smith was sacked on the first play of the possession for a significant loss. On 2nd and 17, Smith hooked up with Frank Gore for a gain of three yards. The Niners were charged with a false start and found themselves looking at a 3rd-and-19 situation.Smith took the snap out of the shotgun, shook off a tackle and scrambled out of bounds. There was a flag on the play as the Giants were charged with illegal contact prior to Smith being forced out of the pocket, giving the 49ers a new first down.

Kendall Hunter took a pitch and reversed to the right side, cutting through the New York defense and picking up a first down for San Francisco. Frank Gore picked up four yards on the next play with a run up the middle. Smith targeted Vernon Davis on 2nd-and-6, but the pass came up short. Smith was pressured again and saw another pass get broken up, leading to another San Francisco punt.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

In this 2012 NFC Championship Game, the New York Giants have either been able to move the ball into San Francisco territory or unable to move the ball very much at all against the San Francisco 49ers. Their first drive of the second half would certainly fall into the latter category.

After two Ahmad Bradshaw runs, the Giants decided to throw on third-and-one, but Eli Manning could not find anyone, forcing New York to punt. It was Steve Weatherford's fourth punt of the day.

The Niners, gashed by Victor Cruz in the first half, managed not to get burned by the salsa-happy Giants wideout on the first drive of the third quarter.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the New York Giants in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. After the first half, the Giants currently lead by a score of 10-7.

The 49ers jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis. The Giants tied things up early in the second quarter when Eli Manning threw a 6-yard pass to Bear Pascoe for a New York touchdown. The score remained tied until the final five seconds of the half, when Lawrence Tynes nailed a 31-yard field goal to put the Giants on top, 10-7.

The teams seem fairly evenly matched, with the disparity coming on the passing games of the two teams. Smith only has six passing yards other than the touchdown pass to Davis, while Manning and receiver Victor Cruz have basically been on fire since the rain stopped in the second quarter. Manning has 181 passing yards in the half, while Cruz has 125 receiving yards.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

Victor Cruz has been one of the most surprising things about the 2011 NFL season, emerging from obscurity and the Giants' practice squad to become one of the league's most productive receivers. On the Giants' last drive of the first half in the 2012 NFC Championship Game, which culminated in a field goal to give New York a 10-7 halftime lead, he reminded the viewing audience of why.

Cruz ducked and dived into the holes in the Niners' coverage, making himself available for Eli Manning, making four catches for 56 yards on the drive, and getting New York into position for Lawrence Tynes to kick a 31-yard field goal.

Cruz has had a massive first half beyond just that drive, too, with eight catches for a staggering 125 yards. If Manning can keep finding him, Big Blue may have little trouble advancing to Super Bowl XLVI.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the New York Giants in what is so far a fairly evenly-matched 2012 NFC Championship Game. As the end of the first half of play draws near, the score is tied, 7-7.

The 49ers were able to get a key sack on Eli Manning on a 3rd-and-2 situation to force the Giants punt and start a drive on their own 16.

Alex Smith pitched the ball to Frank Gore on first down, who seemed to lose his footing behind the line of scrimmage and was tackled for a short loss. Smith opted to let the clock run down to the two-minute warning without a snap, giving the Niners a few moments to plan their approach.

Gore picked up two yards on a carry following the two-minute warning and set up a 3rd-and-9 situation for the Niners on their own 17 yard line. Smith took the shotgun snap but was forced to scramble out of the pocket and was tackled short of the first down. The 49ers had to punt the ball away with 1:49 left in the half.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

After scoring their first touchdown of the day in the 2012 NFC Championshipnship Game, the New York Giants reverted to earlier, sloppier form. And a lack of protection on a short third down made a sack of Eli Manning possible for the San Francisco 49ers.

Ray McDonald and Navarro Bowman made their way past the Giants' offensive line for the Niners' second sack of the day, stopping New York and forcing a punt late in the second quarter that gave San Francisco the ball with enough time to score points before the end of the first half.

Manning has thrown for 125 yards and a touchdown, making up for a running game that is averaging around three yards per carry.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The second quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park opened up with the New York Giants tying the game against the San Francisco 49ers with an Eli Manning touchdown pass. The game is tied 7-7 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.

The subsequent Niners possession opened with Kyle Williams returning the Giants kickoff to the San Francisco 23 yard line. Alex Smith launched a deep pass on first down, but overthrew Williams, who was open far downfield. On the next play, Smith scrambled away from a blitz for an eight-yard gain, setting up a third-and-short situation. Smith completed a pass to Williams for a first down, which came complete with an illegal hands to the face penalty on the Giants.

Frank Gore picked up four yards on a run following the new set of downs. Gore got the handoff again and drove hard through the defenders for a gain of eight and a new first down. There was a scuffle after the play involving San Francisco's Anthony Davis, whose helmet was ripped off by a Giants player. 49ers tight end Vernon Davis received a 15-yard personal foul penalty as a result of the skirmish. The end result was a first down at the San Francisco 32 yard line.

Gore again got the handoff for a gain of seven yards, which he followed up with yet another first down with a gain of nine yards to take the Niners to the 45. Smith threw a pass intended to Vernon Davis that was batted away. Another blitz led to another Smith scramble, which was good for five yards to take the team past midfield. On the next play, Smith was forced out of the pocket and taken down just shy of the first down. The 49ers seemed as if they were going to try for the conversion on 4th and 2, but received a delay of game penalty and punted the ball away.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The rain is coming down on both the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers in the 2012 NFC Championship Game, but both teams are doing their level best to play through the weather. The Giants got things untracked on offense on their third drive of the da — thanks, as usual, to Eli Manning and Victor Cruz — and scored a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

This bomb to Cruz was the play that keyed the possession. It went for 36 yards, the longest play of the Giants' day.

Manning would eventually find Bear Pascoe for the scoring touchdown pass at the end of the drive.

Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, both 1,000-yard receivers in the regular season, have been important for the Giants early on, with each making three receptions. Cruz' have gone for 54 yards, while Nicks' three have covered 26 yards.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers may have to beat the New York Giants without starting guard Mike Iupati, who exited the game and headed to the locker room late in the first quarter. The team hasn't officially characterized the injury. Iupati appears to have some sort of leg injury as trainers attended to him as he tried to walk around on the sidelines.

The 49ers shook up their offensive line due to Iupati's absence with Chilo Rachal at right guard and Adam Snyder at left guard. [Update: Iupati has since returned to the game.]

Also getting dinged up was Giants center David Baas. It's unclear what happened to him but he exited the game early in the second quarter and was replaced by Kevin Boothe. Baas missed five games earlier this season so the Giants have some familiarity playing without him.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers took the early 7-0 lead over the New York Giants in the 2012 NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. The Niners subsequently halted the New York drive following the early Vernon Davis touchdown.

The Giants failed to convert on 4th-and-1 at the San Francisco 34, giving the 49ers the ball off of the turnover on downs. On first down, there was a fumble for a loss of ten yards as Kendall Hunter fumbled the ball. Kyle Williams was able to dive on the loose ball to prevent the Giants taking over again. On 2nd and 20, Frank Gore ran up the middle for a gain of six. After an incomplete pass by Alex Smith, the 49ers were forced to punt it away.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants have relied heavily on Hakeem Nicks this year which is why it was so concerning to see him running off the clutching his shoulder in pain. Nicks caught what appeared to be a routine pass and was tackled before jumping up and grabbing his shoulder.

Nicks was then taken to the locker room, which is usually not good news. Luckily for New York, Giants is expected to return. The Giants confirmed that he suffered a shoulder injury and that he's probable to return.

Nicks and Victory Cruz are Eli Manning's top two weapons in the passing game and Nicks, in particular, has been huge in the postseason with games of 115 and 165 yards receiving.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

After a rare third down failure by Eli Manning on the New York Giants in the first quarter of the 2012 NFC Championship Game, the Giants went for it on fourth down. They failed on that one, too.

Brandon Jacobs ran right and was cut down short of the marker, forcing a turnover on downs by the Giants.

The Giants have struggled early against the stingy 49ers defense that was one of the NFL's best in 2011. Eli Manning has six completions for 46 yards, but none for more than 12 yards, and Ahmad Bradshaw has just 16 yards on six carries.

To make matters worse, Hakeem Nicks left the field on the drive with a shoulder injury, though his return is probable.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the New York Giants in the 2012 NFC Championship. The 49ers have taken an early 7-0 lead on their second possession.

Eli Manning made two consecutive third-down conversions to start the first Giants possession, but the 49ers were able to get to the quarterback and strip the ball for a big loss and forcing New York to punt.

Kyle Williams returned the punt 14 yards to begin the second Niners possession of the game. Alex Smith attempted a pass on first down but it was batted down. On the next play, Smith heaved a deep bomb to tight end Vernon Davis, who sprinted 73 yards down the field for a San Francisco touchdown. The play was reviewed as it appeared Davis may have stepped out of bounds.The review was inconclusive and the touchdown stood.

After the touchdown, Davis climbed on the camera platform to look at the crowd and drew a penalty flag for excessive celebration. The penalty will be applied on the next kickoff.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants' first salvo in the 2012 NFC Championship Game followed a familiar script for Giants fans: befuddling play-calling on first and second down, and something eventful on third down. The first two third downs of the drive went well for the Giants, with Eli Manning finding receivers to convert the downs. The third one was less productive.

That's because Manning was hit and sacked on the play, and fumbled the ball backward, nearly giving the San Francisco 49ers the ball deep in Giants territory.

Manning completed just two of his five attempts on the drive for 22 yards, finding both Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

For updates and analysis on these teams throughout the 2012 NFC Championship Game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The 2012 NFC Championship Game is now officially underway. The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the New York Giants at a rainy Candlestick Park and the first possession is in the books.

The Giants won the coin toss and deferred the opening return to the 49ers. The opening kickoff was returned 15 yards by Kendall Hunter to the San Francisco 23 yard line. Frank Gore gained four yards on a run, then caught an Alex Smith pass for a first down that took the Niners to the 33 yard line. Hunter was tackled for a loss of one yard with lineman Mike Iupati being injured on the play. Smith then threw a short pass intended for Gore that fell incomplete and the home team was forced to punt it away.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

As expected, Ted Ginn Jr. will miss Saturday's NFC Championship while dealing with a knee injury. Ginn was listed as questionable on the injury report throughout the week, and the San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver never did practice with the team leading up to Sunday's matchup with the New York Giants.

The loss of Ginn could thrust Joe Hastings into action for the 49ers. Hastings was a practice squad receiver throughout the year, only joining the team as an active player in the 49ers' Week 17 matchup with the St. Louis Rams.

Here are the rest of the inactives, courtesy of the San Jose Mercury.News.

For the 49ers: Moran Norris, Scott Tolzien, Daniel Kilgore, Mike Person, Shawntae Spencer and Ian Williams.

For the Giants: Jimmy Kennedy, Mark Herzlich, Ramses Barden, Jim Cordle, Justin Trattou and James Brewer

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the New York Giants in Sunday's NFC Championship game and after winning 14 of 17 games this season, you can doubt them at your own risk. The 49ers are a legitimate matchup for the Giants, who were in this situation four years ago.

The Giants advanced to (and won) the Super Bowl that year and I've predicted they'll do the same on Sunday night in San Francisco. But not everyone is picking the Giants to win. SB Nation's 49ers blog, Niners Nation, thinks San Francisco can win (and predicts they will). We asked Niners Nation why the 49ers are capable of winning this game and why they can blow it.

Why 49ers will win: The 49ers will beat the Giants if they are able to get a consistent pass rush against Eli Manning on defense, and hold off the Giants pass rush on offense. Eli Manning had all day to pass against the Packers and no secondary can withstand that. On the other side, the 49ers offense needs to give Alex Smith time to find his receivers. When he is getting run over, it does not end well.

Why the 49ers will lose: Alex Smith struggles with his normal ability to protect the ball. He throws one or two costly picks after avoiding those mistakes all season and the 49ers defense is unable to force Eli into mistakes. If the Giants win the turnover battle, there is a pretty good chance they win this game.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to kick off the 2012 NFC Championship game at 6:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday afternoon. The first time the two teams met it was sunny and nice in California, but the playoff weather forecast doesn't look like it's going to cooperate quite the same.

The temperature is scheduled to drop about two degrees during the game, and although 52 to 50 isn't a dramatic drop, the conditions that come along with it could impact the game.

Weather.com's hour-by-hour forecast indicates the chance of rain will move from 15 percent to 50 percent by 5 p.m. local time -- right around halftime, likely -- while the wind is scheduled to stay at a moderate 15 miles per hour.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

The San Francisco 49ers are not expected to have Ted Ginn for Sunday's NFC Championship game against the New York Giants, according to a report from Pro Football Talk. 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said on Friday that there's a chance Ginn could play but PFT reports that's not expected to be the case.

Ginn missed practice all week with the knee injury and he was listed as questionable entering the game. The 49ers host the Giants at 6:30 p.m. (ET) in the NFC Championship game.

The loss of Ginn may mean slightly more of a reliance on Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, which wouldn't be such a bad thing. Ginn's best skill comes as a return man which the 49ers will miss.

Ginn is in a contract year so that he could miss the biggest game of the season (so far) has to be disappointing for him. The 49ers will release their inactives around 5:00 p.m. (ET). Perhaps Ginn could be active in an emergency role.

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.

With one game remaining on their broadcast calender for the 2011 NFL season, FOX will have their "A" team of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (analyst) in the booth with Pam Oliver and Chris Myers working the sidelines for Sunday's NFC Championship Game between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

A Hall of Fame quarterback who was coached by Norv Turner with the 1991-93 Dallas Cowboys, Aikman noted how different 49ers quarterback Alex Smith's career could have been if he got to work more than one season with Turner, who coordinated the 49ers' offense in 2006.

"Absolutely it could have been (different)," Aikman said of Smith's carfeer. "Absolutely. I know what Norv does for a quarterback and I know what he meant to my career.

"That's a big part of it is having a guy who really understands offense who is able to put you in the right position. Unfortunately for Alex, Norv was just there one season and then he moved on. You know, Brett Favre ran the same offense for 35 years or however long it was. There's something to be said for that."

For updates and analysis on these teams leading up to their matchup, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation, Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York and SB Nation Bay Area. Don't forget to check out SB Nation's NFL hub for all your playoff news.