The match-up for Super Bowl XLII is set following wins by the New England Patriots and New York Giants on Jan. 20.
The mythical powers of the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field turned out to be a bust for the Green Bay Packers, who dropped a 23-20 overtime contest to the Giants in freezing conditions. New York kicker Lawrence Tynes overcame two earlier missed field goals, including one at the end of regulation, to put a 47 yard attempt through the uprights on the Giants first possession in OT and clinch the NFC title.
Giants’ Quarterback Eli Manning, who threw for 254 yards in the game, outshone Packers’ veteran Brett Favre and solidified his place in the Manning family hierarchy of signal-callers as a legitimate team leader.
Eli and Co’s trip to Phoenix will be the Giants’ first trip to the big games since the 2000 season, where the Jim Fassel-led squad fell 34-7 to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Patriots defeated the San Diego Chargers 21-12 in Foxboro, Mass. despite an uncharacteristically sluggish offensive performance. New England came into the game as an undefeated scoring juggernaut, having broken seemingly every passing and scoring related NFL record, but their aerial attack was stalled and quarterback Tom Brady threw a season-high three interceptions.
It was the Patriots’ defense that led the team to victory in the AFC title game, twice picking off San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers and holding the Chargers to just four field goals on as many red zone trips.
The victory marked the 18th straight win for the Patriots, who will look to become the first team in NFL history to go 19-0.
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