GIANTS SEND GREEN BAY PACKING
The New England Patriots and the New York Giants will face each other in the Super Bowl on February 3.
The New York Giants upset the form book in one of the biggest surprises seen in the NFC Championship game as Scottish kicker Lawrence Tynes led the underdogs to a 23-20 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Tynes, who had earlier missed two opportunities to win the game without added time, hit a 47-yard field goal at a frozen Lambeau Field to record the shock victory and deny Green Bay's record-breaking quarterback the fairytale career ending.
Favre, who played for the Packers in both the 1997 and 1998 Super Bowls, was looking to lead Green Bay to Arizona in his 17th and probably last season in the NFL.
The 2007-2008 season saw the 38-year-old set new records for both passing touchdowns and passing yards but it was his interception in overtime that handed the Giants the opportunity to steal the game and deny Favre perfect finish.
The Giants victory also means that the Manning household could have a Super Bowl winner's ring for the second successive year.
Last year, Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to victory over the Chicago Bears and now, younger brother Eli has an unexpected opportunity to prove that Super Bowl success can run in the family.
To do that, he must overcome Tom Brady and the perfect New England Patriots, who beat the San Diego Chargers 21-12 at Foxborough.
The three-time Champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP was far from his dependable self in the AFC Championship game, throwing three interceptions but the Patriots defence kept the Chargers at bat, with the visitors failing to cross into the end-zone for the entire 60 minutes.
It now means that the 18-0 Patriots can make history by becoming the first ever team to complete a 19-game season unbeaten.
The Patriots will go into the game as overwhelming favourites, having won their last three Super Bowl appearances in 2002, 2004 and 2005 whilst the Giants, in their first Super Bowl since 2001, haven't won the NFL's main event since 1991.
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