Originally written January 21, 2008
Tell me this is really happening.
Shake me if you need to snap me out what I think is a glorified sports fantasy.
If sports gods truly exist, perhaps they are shining down on this football team. Maybe it is payback for the last 17 years of failures and heartbreak.
The words are going to come out, but they will not look right when I say it…
The New York Football Giants are going to the Super Bowl!
Yes, that is correct.
No, it is not a misprint. Accuracy exists within the previous statement.
It is not a joke.
Seriously, it is not.
22 days ago, if you would have told me that the New York Football Giants would find themselves in Arizona for Super Bowl XLII, I would have responded by asking if the players were buying tickets to watch the game from the stands.
Instead, here they are. Somehow, someway they got there. An improbable journey that no Giants fan could ever think was possible is now 60 minutes away from a world championship.
How did this happen? On the road, in Lambeau Field, against Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation, who himself was in the midst of his own magical season.
Surely, this was going to be something these Giants would not be able to overcome. How could they? All the odds were stacked against them. That was of course before the weather monitors read...let us check... -24 with the wind chill before the game.
All week, I had been wondering about the weather. Perhaps it was just a ploy by the Green Bay Packers and the state of Wisconsin to put the fear of the cold in the minds of the Giants and us fans in hopes of psyching us out. To be honest, it was working. I was nervous about this game the entire week. I was very confident the previous week against Dallas last Sunday because the two previous games were closer than the perception the media was trying to portray. To use an analogy from the game of dice, they had “rolled a seven” two weeks in a row against the Buccaneers and Cowboys. It was too much to ask for another one.
The percentages were just not on their side. In the end, this team just would not allow cold weather, history and a future Hall of Famer derail their trip to their ultimate and unlikely destination.
It took seven years to squash playoff demons in Tampa two weeks ago. The Giants followed that win with one of their greatest triumphs just seven days ago in Dallas. Now, here they were, in Green Bay, where they had lost in Week 2 of the season 35-14, looking to gain revenge as they did one week prior.
Brandon Jacobs immediately let the Packers know who the aggressors were going to be on the offense’s first possession. He took the handoff on first down and as cornerback Charles Woodson came charging in, Jacobs lowered his shoulder and trucked him right to the ground. It was a mammoth blow. Woodson was slow to get up and I was sure he was not going to risk his football life attempting to tackle number 27 in white and red the rest of the night.
One of the fears leading in the game was how Eli Manning was going to handle the weather conditions. It was no secret (and the statistical evidence proved it out) that his worst games had come when the weather was less than comfortable. As the Giants first two offensive endeavors were showing, Eli was not adversely affected by the outside elements.
The defense was slowing down the Packers, forcing them into punts. Offensively, they were moving the ball efficiently. After 18 minutes, the score was only 6-0. I was thinking and telling my group of friends, “There is no way this score is just 6-0. How can this be possible?”
It took just one play for the Packers to take the lead. After a muff on the kickoff that set them back to ten-yard line, Favre found Donald Driver on a broken coverage for a 90-yard touchdown pass. Corey Webster had the initial jam on Driver and when he got past him, Safety James Butler was to cover him over the top. Instead, the only thing Butler saw was Driver’s jersey as he made a futile attempt to chase him from behind.
Packers 7, Giants 6
Unbelievable. For all the control they seemed to have, the Giants were losing. How? Doubt was beginning to creep in my mind that perhaps it would not be our night. The Packers defense was too talented, and it was only time before Favre and his offense started to click.
Halftime - Packers 10, Giants 6 
The Giants were in control of both sides of the ball. Only thing they did not control was the score on the board. Perhaps I should have been encouraged, but playing road playoff games never gives you the greatest of feelings when you feel your team should be winning.
A major bright spot was Plaxico Burress. He is still out there playing with one good ankle. Tonight though he is playing like a man possessed. He has seven catches for 106 yards. Al Harris, one of league’s best defenders has been helpless to stop him. Trying to intimidate him by bumping and clutching, Burress has made catch after catch and is playing one of his best games since becoming a Giant.
Twelve plays, 69 yards and over seven minutes into the third quarter, the Giants had retaken the lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Jacobs. The drive seemed to serve as a microcosm of the entire season. It was not artistry, but it was effective. No one would ever confuse them for having the skill of Picasso, but for them, it was a work of art.
Giants 13, Packers 10
With 5:28 left in the quarter, the defense had stopped the Packers on third down to force a field goal attempt. One problem…a personal foul penalty was called on Sam Madison for pushing a Packers player to the ground. Are you serious? They had done a great job of controlling the occasional idiocy that comes with watching the Giants. Now here, in the championship game, this nonsense was going to reappear.
Tell me this was not happening?
One play later, Favre connected on a twelve-yard touchdown pass to give the Packers the lead again.
Packers 17, Giants 13
This game was reaching critical mass. No way were the Packers supposed to be close in this game based on how it was being played. For all of the good play, the scoreboard showed them trailing by four points late in the third quarter. Several dropped passes and now mental mistakes were looking like they were going to play a role in the outcome.
Needing to respond again, they would fight back. Amani Toomer made a spectacular play dragging both of his feet inbounds at the twelve-yard line for a 23-yard catch. Two plays later, Ahmad Bradshaw exploded through the right side for a seven-yard touchdown to put the Giants back on top.
The Giants were in control of both sides of the ball. Only thing they did not control was the score on the board. Perhaps I should have been encouraged, but playing road playoff games never gives you the greatest of feelings when you feel your team should be winning.
A major bright spot was Plaxico Burress. He is still out there playing with one good ankle. Tonight though he is playing like a man possessed. He has seven catches for 106 yards. Al Harris, one of league’s best defenders has been helpless to stop him. Trying to intimidate him by bumping and clutching, Burress has made catch after catch and is playing one of his best games since becoming a Giant.
Twelve plays, 69 yards and over seven minutes into the third quarter, the Giants had retaken the lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Jacobs. The drive seemed to serve as a microcosm of the entire season. It was not artistry, but it was effective. No one would ever confuse them for having the skill of Picasso, but for them, it was a work of art.
Giants 13, Packers 10
With 5:28 left in the quarter, the defense had stopped the Packers on third down to force a field goal attempt. One problem…a personal foul penalty was called on Sam Madison for pushing a Packers player to the ground. Are you serious? They had done a great job of controlling the occasional idiocy that comes with watching the Giants. Now here, in the championship game, this nonsense was going to reappear.
Tell me this was not happening?
One play later, Favre connected on a twelve-yard touchdown pass to give the Packers the lead again.
Packers 17, Giants 13
This game was reaching critical mass. No way were the Packers supposed to be close in this game based on how it was being played. For all of the good play, the scoreboard showed them trailing by four points late in the third quarter. Several dropped passes and now mental mistakes were looking like they were going to play a role in the outcome.
Needing to respond again, they would fight back. Amani Toomer made a spectacular play dragging both of his feet inbounds at the twelve-yard line for a 23-yard catch. Two plays later, Ahmad Bradshaw exploded through the right side for a seven-yard touchdown to put the Giants back on top.
Giants 20, Packers 17
Back and forth, they were going now. The cold weather was not having any effect on Manning and the offense. In control of themselves they were and the Packers could do nothing about it. Green Bay still had problems consistently moving the ball. There were 15 minutes remaining, up by three and a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.
What would happen next likely sent most Giants fans to the cabinet in search of some Pepto Bismol, Tums, or whatever extra strength medicine could help you get through this.
At the 31-yard line, Favre faked a run and rolled out to his left looking for a receiver. He pump faked his throw, and eluded a possible sack from Osi Umenyiora and Barry Cofield. The pass hung in the air and was intercepted by R.W McQuarters at the seven-yard line. The game was in our possession now, with the lead and the ball as long as he went to the ground with the ball in his hands.
Unfortunately, that did not happen.
On the return of the intercept, McQuarters was hit at the 21-yard line and the ball came out. A unison chorus of “OH NO!” filled the room as the Packers recovered the fumble. This really could not be happening. Not now. A trip to the Super Bowl was potentially going to be lost because they could not control a game that was firmly in both arms.
It was a miracle that Green Bay was unable to capitalize on their newly found good fortune and had to settle for field goal. Heads were shaking and confidence was slowly eroding. A belief that they would seemingly “screw this up” began to permeate amongst ourselves along with every Giants fan watching on television.
Giants 20, Packers 20
Manning would once again lead the offense on another scoring drive in Packers territory. On fourth down, Lawrence Tynes came up to attempt a 39-yard field goal to give the Giants the lead. The kick hooked to the left and with 6:49 left, the game remained tied. If there was man I was concerned about more than any one else, it was Tynes. All season I had been skeptical of his ability. He was released from the Kansas City after last season. In the Wild Card playoff game against the Colts, he missed three makeable field goals for a kicker. Matt Bahr he was not. Now, in the biggest moment, a chance to take the lead in this game had sailed left because of Tynes’ right foot.
The defense forced another Packers punt. However, the Giants were unable to generate any sustainable yardage. Jeff Feagles would punt the ball back to Brett Favre with 2:48 to play in the game. Situations like this are what he thrives. FOX showed a graphic where 39 times he had led a game winning drive in both the fourth quarter and overtime. Not a good sign.
A Super Bowl appearance was at least 60 yards away and he would have to chance to do it again.
This time, it would not happen.
Green Bay went three plays and punted. Once again, the Giants would provide another one of those agita filled moments.
McQuarters fielded the punt at the Packers 48 and found a lane for extra yardage as he found his way inside the 40. Once again though he would lose the football and a scrum ensued near midfield. By fate of luck, Dominick Hixon miraculously fell on top of the ball to save not only the game, but the season as well. You cannot make this drama up. This type of stuff only happens in the movies, but you could not even write a script that would seem plausible even for that. It was probably only another few minutes before something else odd would happen.
Getting to the Super Bowl was not going to be easy. There was too much playing against us to make this happen.
2:15 was left and now the Giants had destiny in their hands. A 48-yard touchdown run by Bradshaw was called back due to spotty at best holding penalty. Two big receptions by Steve Smith and a key first down run by Bradshaw put the ball at the Packers 19 yard line with four seconds left. The game was going to come down to the right foot of Tynes again who had missed just over six minutes earlier.
The snap came from Jay Alford and it was a little high. Feagles got the ball down in position and Tynes’ right foot connected with the ball. Once again, the ball would curl badly to the left and a trip to Arizona was put on hold.
It was at this moment where all the fears of Giants fans had caught up to where mine where so long ago with Tynes. Two missed chances and now the feeling that the roof was about to cave in. They had played so well. In control of this game throughout. Now, overtime would commence.
Green Bay won the toss and Favre would be given another chance. With the exception of one big play and one major ridiculous penalty, the Giants defense rendered the Packers offense ineffective the entire game. Here again, Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needed his defense to stop them and give the offense another chance to win the game that had now entered “ESPN Classic” status.
To me, it was only going to be rendered “Classic” if the correct team came out on top. An opposite turnout would result in the worst game I would have ever watched in my life. The meltdown in San Francisco five years prior would not be able to hold a candle to this.
On second down, Favre would run another play action pass and throw to the right side. His pass did not find his intended receiver Donald Driver, but rather cornerback Corey Webster. Webster had found redemption in this postseason with his great play in the two previous weeks. Here he was now making the biggest interception of his career at the Packers 34-yard line giving the Giants possession.
No one knows if this is Brett Favre’s last game as a Packer quarterback. If it is, the lasting memory that you will relieve is that final pass. When you go to the bar and play trivia games, the one question that will be asked is “Who caught Brett Favre’s last Green Bay pass?” The answer? Corey Webster.
It was now that I was hoping the Giants would score a touchdown. Two missed field goals had destroyed my confidence in Tynes. Had the field goal been from 20 yards away, I would not have had any trust in him making that. However, as Manning was unable to connect with Smith on third down and five, Coughlin had three options:
1. Punt the ball back.
2. Go for it on fourth down.
3. Send Tynes back out there again for a now 47-yard field goal attempt.
Options 1 and 3 did not look enticing. Going for it could have been a safe play considering the results that had played out on the field. However, I am not the coach. Coughlin decided to try to roll the dice with Tynes one more time. If he makes it, they go to the Super Bowl. If he misses, not only does not get on the plane ride back home, but he may be forced to walk from Lambeau Field home without any of his belongings.
I did not want to look at the kick for fear of the result. Alford’s snap was good. Feagles got the ball down in a good position. Tynes’ foot hit the ball well and it sailed in the air.
For a while, time seemed to stand still. Nothing else mattered. The ball continued to travel. What started out as a kick slightly to the right began to curve to the middle of the uprights. It kept carrying, and carrying and carrying.
Right through the uprights. It was good.
Final in overtime - Giants 23, Packers 20
It was 17 years to the day when in San Francisco, Matt Bahr nailed the game winning field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl and end the rein of the two time champion 49ers. Bahr wore number 9 for New York. All the years later, it was another number 9 doing the exact same thing.
Adulation and celebration ensued. It was all surreal. Something that no one could have ever expected less than one month ago had actually happened.
Much like the previous week, I wanted to hear how Bob Papa called this moment on the radio. I had always appreciated his work, but as these playoffs have played out, it is becoming clearer he is football’s best play-by-play man and I would not want to have anyone else behind the microphone for my team than him.
Papa: Alright here goes Tynes again…from 47 yards…to kick the Giants to the Super Bowl…snap is good…kick on its way…end over end…does it have the distance…it is GOOD!! Lawrence Tynes has kicked the Giants to the Super Bowl…after missing at the end of regulation…and Tynes runs into the tunnel to our left…and the New York Giants are going to Super Bowl XLII…in overtime they beat the Packers 23-20.
Frozen in time.
Who could have predicted that this team, originally looked at a bunch of big talking, unproductive misfits, who were more likely stub their toe then make the big play, showed everyone the heart, grit and passion that almost no one believed they had.
A team that had been through so much could now exhale and begin to celebrate. They were victorious winners. Next stop: Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona.
Can they pull off the upset of all upsets against the New England Patriots? Anything is possible now. One month ago, none of this seemed feasible. Here they are, within one victory from becoming world champions.
It has truly been the Super Bowl road less traveled.
Back and forth, they were going now. The cold weather was not having any effect on Manning and the offense. In control of themselves they were and the Packers could do nothing about it. Green Bay still had problems consistently moving the ball. There were 15 minutes remaining, up by three and a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.
What would happen next likely sent most Giants fans to the cabinet in search of some Pepto Bismol, Tums, or whatever extra strength medicine could help you get through this.
At the 31-yard line, Favre faked a run and rolled out to his left looking for a receiver. He pump faked his throw, and eluded a possible sack from Osi Umenyiora and Barry Cofield. The pass hung in the air and was intercepted by R.W McQuarters at the seven-yard line. The game was in our possession now, with the lead and the ball as long as he went to the ground with the ball in his hands.
Unfortunately, that did not happen.
On the return of the intercept, McQuarters was hit at the 21-yard line and the ball came out. A unison chorus of “OH NO!” filled the room as the Packers recovered the fumble. This really could not be happening. Not now. A trip to the Super Bowl was potentially going to be lost because they could not control a game that was firmly in both arms.
It was a miracle that Green Bay was unable to capitalize on their newly found good fortune and had to settle for field goal. Heads were shaking and confidence was slowly eroding. A belief that they would seemingly “screw this up” began to permeate amongst ourselves along with every Giants fan watching on television.
Giants 20, Packers 20
Manning would once again lead the offense on another scoring drive in Packers territory. On fourth down, Lawrence Tynes came up to attempt a 39-yard field goal to give the Giants the lead. The kick hooked to the left and with 6:49 left, the game remained tied. If there was man I was concerned about more than any one else, it was Tynes. All season I had been skeptical of his ability. He was released from the Kansas City after last season. In the Wild Card playoff game against the Colts, he missed three makeable field goals for a kicker. Matt Bahr he was not. Now, in the biggest moment, a chance to take the lead in this game had sailed left because of Tynes’ right foot.
The defense forced another Packers punt. However, the Giants were unable to generate any sustainable yardage. Jeff Feagles would punt the ball back to Brett Favre with 2:48 to play in the game. Situations like this are what he thrives. FOX showed a graphic where 39 times he had led a game winning drive in both the fourth quarter and overtime. Not a good sign.
A Super Bowl appearance was at least 60 yards away and he would have to chance to do it again.
This time, it would not happen.
Green Bay went three plays and punted. Once again, the Giants would provide another one of those agita filled moments.
McQuarters fielded the punt at the Packers 48 and found a lane for extra yardage as he found his way inside the 40. Once again though he would lose the football and a scrum ensued near midfield. By fate of luck, Dominick Hixon miraculously fell on top of the ball to save not only the game, but the season as well. You cannot make this drama up. This type of stuff only happens in the movies, but you could not even write a script that would seem plausible even for that. It was probably only another few minutes before something else odd would happen.
Getting to the Super Bowl was not going to be easy. There was too much playing against us to make this happen.
2:15 was left and now the Giants had destiny in their hands. A 48-yard touchdown run by Bradshaw was called back due to spotty at best holding penalty. Two big receptions by Steve Smith and a key first down run by Bradshaw put the ball at the Packers 19 yard line with four seconds left. The game was going to come down to the right foot of Tynes again who had missed just over six minutes earlier.
The snap came from Jay Alford and it was a little high. Feagles got the ball down in position and Tynes’ right foot connected with the ball. Once again, the ball would curl badly to the left and a trip to Arizona was put on hold.
It was at this moment where all the fears of Giants fans had caught up to where mine where so long ago with Tynes. Two missed chances and now the feeling that the roof was about to cave in. They had played so well. In control of this game throughout. Now, overtime would commence.
Green Bay won the toss and Favre would be given another chance. With the exception of one big play and one major ridiculous penalty, the Giants defense rendered the Packers offense ineffective the entire game. Here again, Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needed his defense to stop them and give the offense another chance to win the game that had now entered “ESPN Classic” status.
To me, it was only going to be rendered “Classic” if the correct team came out on top. An opposite turnout would result in the worst game I would have ever watched in my life. The meltdown in San Francisco five years prior would not be able to hold a candle to this.
On second down, Favre would run another play action pass and throw to the right side. His pass did not find his intended receiver Donald Driver, but rather cornerback Corey Webster. Webster had found redemption in this postseason with his great play in the two previous weeks. Here he was now making the biggest interception of his career at the Packers 34-yard line giving the Giants possession.
No one knows if this is Brett Favre’s last game as a Packer quarterback. If it is, the lasting memory that you will relieve is that final pass. When you go to the bar and play trivia games, the one question that will be asked is “Who caught Brett Favre’s last Green Bay pass?” The answer? Corey Webster.
It was now that I was hoping the Giants would score a touchdown. Two missed field goals had destroyed my confidence in Tynes. Had the field goal been from 20 yards away, I would not have had any trust in him making that. However, as Manning was unable to connect with Smith on third down and five, Coughlin had three options:
1. Punt the ball back.
2. Go for it on fourth down.
3. Send Tynes back out there again for a now 47-yard field goal attempt.
Options 1 and 3 did not look enticing. Going for it could have been a safe play considering the results that had played out on the field. However, I am not the coach. Coughlin decided to try to roll the dice with Tynes one more time. If he makes it, they go to the Super Bowl. If he misses, not only does not get on the plane ride back home, but he may be forced to walk from Lambeau Field home without any of his belongings.
I did not want to look at the kick for fear of the result. Alford’s snap was good. Feagles got the ball down in a good position. Tynes’ foot hit the ball well and it sailed in the air.
For a while, time seemed to stand still. Nothing else mattered. The ball continued to travel. What started out as a kick slightly to the right began to curve to the middle of the uprights. It kept carrying, and carrying and carrying.
Right through the uprights. It was good.
Final in overtime - Giants 23, Packers 20
It was 17 years to the day when in San Francisco, Matt Bahr nailed the game winning field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl and end the rein of the two time champion 49ers. Bahr wore number 9 for New York. All the years later, it was another number 9 doing the exact same thing.
Adulation and celebration ensued. It was all surreal. Something that no one could have ever expected less than one month ago had actually happened.
Much like the previous week, I wanted to hear how Bob Papa called this moment on the radio. I had always appreciated his work, but as these playoffs have played out, it is becoming clearer he is football’s best play-by-play man and I would not want to have anyone else behind the microphone for my team than him.
Papa: Alright here goes Tynes again…from 47 yards…to kick the Giants to the Super Bowl…snap is good…kick on its way…end over end…does it have the distance…it is GOOD!! Lawrence Tynes has kicked the Giants to the Super Bowl…after missing at the end of regulation…and Tynes runs into the tunnel to our left…and the New York Giants are going to Super Bowl XLII…in overtime they beat the Packers 23-20.
Frozen in time.
Who could have predicted that this team, originally looked at a bunch of big talking, unproductive misfits, who were more likely stub their toe then make the big play, showed everyone the heart, grit and passion that almost no one believed they had.
A team that had been through so much could now exhale and begin to celebrate. They were victorious winners. Next stop: Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona.
Can they pull off the upset of all upsets against the New England Patriots? Anything is possible now. One month ago, none of this seemed feasible. Here they are, within one victory from becoming world champions.
It has truly been the Super Bowl road less traveled.
They had just won one the greatest football games I have ever seen.
Now they are going to play in the greatest game of them all in 13 days.
Super Sunday cannot come fast enough.
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