New York Giants Headed to Super Bowl

By BRENT NYCZ

Published: January 31, 2008

The New York Giants are headed to the Super Bowl, after defeating the Green Bay Packers 23-20 in overtime on Jan. 20. After missing a 36-yard field goal at the end of regulation, Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes connected on a 47-yard field goal in overtime to send the Giants to Super Bowl XLII. The Giants are appearing in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in team history.

With the win against the Packers, the Giants have won 10 straight road games, a National Football League record. By earning the fifth seed in the National Football Conference playoffs, the 13-6 Giants had to play on the road for all three of their playoff games. With the retirement of star halfback Tiki Barber during the off-season and the losses of tight end Jeremy Shockey and linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka to season-ending injuries, the Giants entered the playoffs in a terribly weakened state.

The Giants, however, embraced their underdog role. In the Wild Card round, the Giants took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After gaining -2 yards and not scoring in the first quarter, the Giants took charge in the second, scoring 14 points and eventually winning the contest 24-14.

In the Divisional Round, the Giants faced their NFC rivals and the number one seeded Dallas Cowboys. Giants quarterback Eli Manning continued his strong playoff performance by going 12 for 18 for