Giants 23, Packers 20 F/OT

Third Tynes a charm: Kicker boots Giants into Super Bowl

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Eli Manning has arrived, and just in time to take his New York Giants on an improbable trip to the Super Bowl.

A suddenly matured Manning guided the Giants to their 10th straight road win Sunday, a frostbitten 23-20 overtime victory over Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers for the NFC championship.

Now comes Mission Impossible: playing the unbeaten New England Patriots in two weeks for the NFL title.

Manning wasn't the only Giant who came through. Lawrence Tynes kicked the winning 47-yard field goal after two earlier misses. He missed a 36-yarder at the end of regulation following a bad snap, and also was wide left on a 43-yarder with 6:49 to go.

But he got a reprieve in overtime after Corey Webster intercepted a struggling Favre. He nailed his kick, then sprinted directly to the locker room while the rest of his frozen teammates celebrated on the field.

"I screwed it up twice," Tynes said. "Thank God we got another opportunity."

The Giants grabbed their first NFC championship in seven years, capping a monthlong surge that reversed a trend of mediocrity built around Manning's inconsistency. He has been a revelation in the playoffs, however, and his calm leadership keyed New York's turnaround.

Manning shook off below-zero temperatures and a wind chill that would make a Siberian husky shiver. He repeatedly put the Giants (13-6) in position to win in the third-coldest championship game ever -- and certainly the most frigid of his young career.

RECAP:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29525&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST20

Patriots 21, Chargers 12

Patriots knock off hobbled Chargers, advance to Super Bowl

Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Perfection comes down to one game now.

Despite a shaky Tom Brady, the New England Patriots were still too much for the banged-up San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship game Sunday, pulling out a 21-12 victory that sent them back to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in seven seasons.


"I think there will be a time to sit back and reflect," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "We'll certainly enjoy this for a few days."

Brady made several stunningly poor throws that fluttered in the chilly wind, Randy Moss was a non-factor for the second straight game and the highest-scoring team in NFL history sputtered all afternoon. Instead, the Patriots (18-0) relied on Laurence Maroney's spins, cuts and helmet-rattling runs.

With injured Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson reduced to mostly watching in a parka, the Patriots moved on to a Feb. 3 matchup in Glendale, Ariz., against the winner of the NFC title game between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants.

"Now we're going someplace warm, because I'm freezing my you-know-what off," Brady said.
Yet for all the Brady Bunch has accomplished -- they're the only team in NFL history to start out with 18 straight victories -- the Patriots are well aware they must win that final game to avoid being relegated to a footnote.

No matter, New England took care of the nuts and Bolts. The sellout crowd at Gillette Stadium chanted "Super Bowl! Super Bowl!" in the closing minutes, anticipating the Pats' first appearance in the big game since the 2004 season.

Belichick's team eclipsed the 17-0 mark of the champion 1972 Miami Dolphins, and he'll soon try for his fourth NFL title. The Patriots beat the Giants in a 38-35 thriller to close their regular season; New England did not play the Packers.

Brady earned his 100th career victory and advanced without a hint of girlfriend drama -- taking notes, Tony Romo? The dimpled Patriots quarterback will bring true glam to Super Bowl: Imagine the paparazzi buzz if Brady is sighted with Gisele Bundchen.

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29524&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST20

Giants 21, Cowboys 17

Giants upset Cowboys to advance to NFC Championship Game

Associated Press

IRVING, Texas -- Eli Manning and the New York Giants knocked the Dallas Cowboys into the offseason Sunday.

Having to wait out long, slow drives by Dallas, Manning made his few chances count, throwing two touchdown passes to Amani Toomer and getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Brandon Jacobs for a 21-17 victory that put New York into the NFC championship game for the first time since the 2000 season.

"I won't get tired of hearing that this week," Manning said. "No one's given us much credit and probably still won't. But that's OK. We like it that way."

Manning is heading to his first NFC Championship Game, at Green Bay next Sunday. Manning had a much better day than his brother, Peyton, whose Indianapolis Colts were stunned by the San Diego Chargers.

"I know he was watching and rooting for me," said Eli, who was 12-of-18 for 163 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers.

Cornerback R.W. McQuarters intercepted a pass in the end zone with 9 seconds left, turning away a last-ditch drive by Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. It marked his second straight disappointing finish to a playoff game, following his flubbed hold of a short field goal in Seattle last January.

"It hurts," said Romo, who was 18-of-36 for 201 yards with a touchdown. "It's tough right now."

Terrell Owens came to his quarterback's defense, even crying behind dark sunglasses with a quivering bottom lip while declaring, "You can point the finger at him, you can talk about the vacation (with Simpson), and if you do that, it's really unfair. That's my teammate. ... We lost as a team."

RECAP:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29523&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST19

Chargers 28, Colts 24

Lightning strikes: Bolts knock off defending champs

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- After handing New England a huge gift, the San Diego Chargers believe it's time to give the unbeaten Patriots something else: a challenge.

And, oh yeah, a loss.

By defeating Peyton Manning and the defending champion Colts 28-24 on Sunday, undermanned San Diego removed New England's biggest road block to the Super Bowl. Not that the Chargers are intimidated by facing the 17-0 Patriots in the AFC title game next weekend.

Despite having LaDainaian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers on the sideline, the Chargers won their eighth straight game. Of course, that's not even half of what New England has achieved.

"Seventeen have tried and it hasn't happened," quarterback Philip Rivers said of New England's perfect record. "We think it can happen."

But San Diego must avoid a repeat of its last performance at New England, when it was routed 38-14 in Week 2. That was the beginning of a slide to 5-5 for San Diego, but the Chargers (13-5) are rolling now.

"A lot has happened since then," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "We'll definitely start all over on the preparations. It's like it's a new team."

Also an undermanned team. L.T. departed in the first half on Sunday with a bruised left knee, and Rivers went out in the third quarter with a damaged right knee. Both said they hoped to be ready for the Patriots, and coach Norv Turner said they are "questionable."

"That's the true measure of a team," Tomlinson said. "Guys stepped up and got it done."

Those guys included Billy Volek at quarterback and Michael Turner as the main runner. Led by those subs, San Diego went 78 yards on eight plays, with Volek sneaking in from the 1 with 4:50 remaining for the lead. The Chargers' big-play defense then held on downs at its 7, and stopped Indy again in the final moments to preserve San Diego's eighth straight win.

To make it nine in a row and advance to their second Super Bowl -- the other was a blowout loss to San Francisco after the 1994 season -- the Chargers will need all that resourcefulness again.

"I'm pretty sure we'll be huge underdogs, but it's still going to be fun, just to get the opportunity," Tomlinson said. "All the rest of the teams have had their opportunity to play New England, and we'll get another opportunity to do so in the AFC Championship Game. What a better way to go back there."

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29522&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST19

Patriots 31, Jaguars 20

Brady almost perfect as Pats top Jags to advance to AFC championship

Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady set another record and thinks he deserves one more award.

The dimple-chinned quarterback with the winning smile took the snap -- after faking as if the ball had gone directly to running back Kevin Faulk -- and threw the go-ahead touchdown pass in the New England Patriots' 31-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night.

It was just one of his 26 completions in 28 attempts, an NFL record 92.9 percent for regular-season and playoff games.

"I'm looking for my Academy Award on that play," said Brady, already named the MVP and offensive player of the year. "They bit on the run pretty good."

Brady caught the snap, jumped with his empty right hand raised high, then shifted the ball from his left hand and threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Wes Welker that gave the Patriots a 21-14 lead six minutes into the third quarter.

By the time it was over, they had advanced to the AFC championship game for the second straight year and remained perfect at 17-0, matching the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team to go unbeaten from the first game of the season through the Super Bowl.

The old NFL accuracy record was 91.3 percent (21-of-23) set by Vinny Testaverde with Cleveland in 1993. The old playoff record was 88 percent set by Phil Simms in the Super Bowl after the 1986 season. Simms watched Brady best his mark from the broadcast booth.

Add that to Brady's record of 50 touchdown passes, one more than Peyton Manning threw in 2004, and it's been a spectacular season for the two-time Super Bowl MVP.
Then, forget about it.

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29521&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST19

Packers 42, Seahawks 20

Grant, Favre rally Packers to cement spot in NFC Championship

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Brett Favre spotted his favorite target all alone and let fly.

He hit Donald Driver, all right -- with a snowball.
Favre frolicked in the flurries the entire afternoon, throwing three touchdown passes as the Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks 42-20 Saturday to reach the NFC championship game.

"I've been hoping for that for 17 years," Favre said. "I was watching the weather all day and it's a shame, I'm like, 'Just give us one of those big snow games.'"

"I wanted to play where you couldn't see the field, and the snowplow comes out. It keeps getting worse and worse," he said.

With Lambeau Field looking like a snow globe, the Packers posted their biggest points total in postseason history.

This was exactly the scene Favre imagined when he decided to postpone retirement and try for another Super Bowl ring.

"It does make you appreciate it," the 38-year-old three-time NFL MVP said. "We could be 3-13 next year. Who knows? So enjoy it and try to get the most out of it."

In the months ahead, Wisconsin might again become a wonder-land -- will Favre come back again? -- but for now, fans are guaranteed at least one more game.

The Packers (14-3) will take on the winner of Sunday's game between the New York Giants and Dallas. If the Cowboys win, they'll host Green Bay; if the Giants win, they'll visit Lambeau.

Green Bay beat the Giants this season and lost to the Cowboys. Favre would certainly prefer to stay home -- he's 0-9 lifetime at Dallas.

"We haven't had a whole lot of success in Dallas and I'm well aware of that," Favre said.
The Packers were happy to advance at all after a rough start.

Ryan Grant recovered from two fumbles that put the Packers down 14-0 after only four minutes. He set a team postseason record by running for 201 yards, and scored three times. After its early slips, Green Bay scored touchdowns on six straight possessions.

"I appreciate everyone sticking with it, staying with me," Grant said.

The Packers reached the NFC title game for the first time since the 1997 season, and the largest crowd ever at Lambeau partied. Favre and Driver started the celebration early, tossing snowballs at each other.

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29520&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST19

Chargers 17, Titans 9

Second-half rally sends Chargers into AFC Divisional date with Colts

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- LaDainian Tomlinson jumped for joy. Norv Turner's eyes were red.

It was rainy and gloomy, but it might as well have been a sunny day.

Yes, the San Diego Chargers can win in the playoffs.

Thirteen long years after their last postseason victory, the Chargers finally came to life late in the second half Sunday to beat the Tennessee Titans 17-6 in an AFC Wild Card Game.

Tomlinson was held to 42 yards on 21 carries, but the star running back got to celebrate the first playoff victory in three tries in his brilliant seven-year career.

"It didn't come easy, but I tell you, I'm just happy to get that first one," Tomlinson said.
"It's a relief, but at the same time, it's not like we're saying, 'OK, we won a playoff game, so let's get ready to lose,' you know what I mean? I'm already thinking about next week and how tough of a game we're going to have going to Indianapolis, facing the champs."

The Chargers (12-5) advance to face the Colts on Sunday. San Diego escaped with a 23-21 win over the Colts at Qualcomm Stadium on Nov. 11, when Peyton Manning threw a career-high six interceptions and Adam Vinatieri missed a 29-yard field-goal attempt with 1:31 left.

The Titans bottled up Tomlinson, the two-time NFL rushing champion and 2006 league MVP, and dared quarterback Philip Rivers to beat them. The second-year starter did just that, throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson late in the third quarter that gave San Diego its first lead at 10-6.

L.T. finally found the end zone midway through the fourth quarter, on a fourth-down leap over the pile from inside the 1-yard line that had to survive a video review.

Tomlinson went airborne and was met by linebacker Stephen Tulloch, but the running back used a second effort to get the ball over the goal line before linebacker Colin Allred knocked it out of his hands.

"I just felt like going through the air was a better option," Tomlinson said.
Tomlinson jumped for joy once he emerged from the pile, but Titans coach Jeff Fisher threw his red challenge flag. After a review, it was ruled that the ball crossed the plane. Tomlinson celebrated again on the sideline.

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29519&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST18

Giants 24, Buccaneers 14

Giants march on after beating host Buccaneers

Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. -- First stop, Tampa. Next stop, Texas. You won't hear the New York Giants complain their next stop is on the road.

The Giants improved to 8-1 away from home with a dominating 24-14 NFC wild-card playoff victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday. New York has won every away game since falling in its season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, and it gets a chance to diminish that blemish in a much bigger re-match next Sunday, with the winner going to the conference title game.

"We love playing there, we love going down to Dallas," Eli Manning said. "There are no secrets.

"It's a tough challenge against Dallas, we know that. We played them two times; maybe the third will be the charm."

As for concerns the Giants (11-6) left too much of themselves on the field in futilely trying to stop New England's perfect season on Dec. 29, well, forget it. After a lackluster first quarter, New York bullied the NFC South champion Bucs, who lost three of their last four regular-season games, including the final two when coach Jon Gruden rested many starters.

"We weren't sluggish, but it was not like we were the week before," said Giants veteran receiver Amani Toomer, who had a big game. "We needed one play to get us going and for me to be the guy, I was excited."

He was the guy often, making seven receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.

It was the first postseason win after two defeats for Manning, who efficiently outplayed his counterpart, Jeff Garcia. Manning went 20-of-27 for 185 yards, with almost all the damage coming after a forgettable opening period in which New York had minus-2 yards of total offense.

The oft-criticized Manning should draw nothing but praise for his performance, which included touchdown passes of 5 yards to Brandon Jacobs and 4 yards to Toomer. The score by Toomer completed a clinching 92-yard, 15-play drive.

"Eli had a great game today," Toomer said. "He took what was out there and didn't force anything. He doesn't get real excited; there is more than one way to lead a team ... and he showed that today."

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29518&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST18

Jaguars 31, Steelers 29

Jaguars collapse in fourth, but rally to beat Steelers

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH -- The past means nothing to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Pittsburgh, and neither does a frantic Steelers fourth-quarter rally. The Jaguars overcame both obstacles there for the second time in three weeks, and next up might be another date with history.

Josh Scobee saved the game by kicking a 25-yard field goal with 37 seconds remaining and the Jaguars came back after squandering an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter to beat the Steelers 31-29 on Saturday night in an AFC wild-card game that was wild in every sense of the word.

Jacksonville, becoming the first opponent to win twice in Pittsburgh in the same season in the Steelers' 75-season history, appeared to be done after Najeh Davenport's second 1-yard TD run of the game gave the Steelers a 29-28 lead with about six minutes remaining. But quarterback David Garrard, not an exceptional runner, found a seam on a convert-or-else fourth-and-2 play and rambled 32 yards to the Steelers 11 with 1:56 left.

"Right before we went out, I pulled the guys together and said, `Guys, you got to love it, this is what we're here for,"' coach Jack Del Rio said. "Now let's go out and make some plays and win it."

The Jaguars will play unbeaten New England in Foxborough on Saturday night, unless the Titans upset the Chargers in the other AFC wild-card game Sunday. If that happens, Jacksonville will play next Sunday at Indianapolis.

Garrard aided the Steelers' comeback by throwing two interceptions -- one less than he had all season -- only to come up with the play that may have saved the Jaguars' season.

They kind of lost their gaps, they thought pass, I was able to get through there," Garrard said. "I just wanted to get a first down. I did enough to get into field-goal range and that was all I was thinking about."

Steelers linebacker Larry Foote argued emphatically that Jacksonville's offensive line held on Garrard's run.

"I don't want to get fined, but watch the long quarterback sneak," Foote said. "Watch the middle of the defensive line and you'll see. You'll see it. Watch what happens in the middle of the field. ... You see a big old hole open up and you'll see the reason why."

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29517&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST18

Seahawks 35, Redskins 14

Seahawks stymie Redskins' rally, win 35-14 in NFC playoffs

Associated Press

SEATTLE -- In less than 2½ fourth-quarter minutes, the Seattle Seahawks watched a 13-point lead turn into a one-point deficit. Nothing was going right - they couldn't even catch a simple kickoff.

"I was looking at the scoreboard, like, 'What just happened?"' defensive end Darryl Tapp said. "But you just have to continue to play all the game through."

And so they did, reversing the tide, stopping a team that had been playing with unbeatable passion for four weeks. So what if the other team scored two touchdowns early in the final period? The Seahawks responded with three of their own in Saturday's 35-14 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFC wild-card playoffs.

"It's amazing how the tables turn so fast," left tackle Walter Jones said.
Seattle, 8-1 at home, set aside concerns about a cream-puff schedule by beating a team that finished with a winning record for the first time since Week 1. The Seahawks will travel to Green Bay next Saturday, a rematch of a 2004 wild-card game remembered for Matt Hasselbeck's proclamation of "We want the ball and we're going to score!" after the Seahawks won the overtime coin flip.

Instead, Hasselbeck threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
"I'm just saying it right now: We want the ball and we're going to score," Hasselbeck said with a laugh as he opened his postgame news conference Saturday. "OK, I said it."

The Redskins had been on a mission since the death of safety Sean Taylor, who was shot in Miami on Nov. 26 and died a day later. Determined to win for their fallen friend, they went 4-0 after his funeral to claim the NFC's final playoff berth and appeared to have unstoppable momentum when two quick touchdowns gave them a 14-13 lead with 12:38 to play.

"I can't believe it's over with for us," Washington linebacker London Fletcher said. "It just seemed our story was going to be written all the way to the Super Bowl for us."

RECAP:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap?game_id=29516&displayPage=tab_recap&season=2007&week=POST18