Photo of Michael Strahan kissing the George S. Halas Trophy after the game by AP/David J. Phillip
The Giants are going to the Super Bowl! Thanks to a 47-yard field goal in overtime New York defeated Green Bay on the infamous “frozen tundra” 23-20 to advance to Super Bowl XLII.
It was a game of dramatic twists and turns and it produced some unlikely heroes. Start with Dominic Hixon who had several big kick returns in the second half, but most importantly recovered R.W. McQuarters fumbled punt return at midfield with just over two minutes remaining in a tie game. Hixon was a member of the Denver Broncos when the season started.
Then look at Corey Webster. Webster will be remembered for his fantastic interception to setup the winning field goal, but his tackle of Ryan Grant on 3rd-and-3 in the fourth quarter saved a potential touchdown and forced the Packers to kick a game-tying field goal. Webster lost his starting job early in the season and has only played recently due to injury.
Or, consider Ahmad Bradshaw who barely made this team out of training camp and finished the NFC Championship with 63 yards and a touchdown. And there are countless other examples of guys who stepped up to make this win possible. Plaxico Burress had a huge game while Amani Toomer and Steve Smith made some huge catches. Antonio Pierce made several big plays and Justin Tuck, Osi Umneyiora and Michael Strahan got in Brett Farve’s face. And don't forget Eli Manning and the game that he had.
Suffice it to say, it was a team effort and this team that seemed so lost just over a month ago is now heading to Arizona for a rematch with the Patriots and a chance to stop history. With the success of the Giants on the road, it should be noted that they will officially be the road team in the Super Bowl.
