HEROES
In regulation, it was Eli Manning, who delivered a superb performance. The Giants’ franchise QB fired two touchdowns — one to Bear Pascoe, one to Mario Manningham — and finished with 316 yards and no interceptions. In overtime, the Giants’ hero is rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams, who forced Kyle Williams’ fumble on a punt return to set up Lawrence Tynes’ NFC title-winning 31-yard field goal.
PHOTOS: GIANTS BEAT 49ERS TO ADVANCE TO SUPER BOWL
ZERO
Kyle Williams, returning punts because Ted Ginn Jr. was out injured, committed two horrible fumbles that ruined the 49ers’ season. The first came early in the fourth quarter, giving the Giants possession at the San Francisco 29-yard line. The Giants, down 14-10 at the time, took the lead on Mario Manningham’s 17-yard touchdown. The second came in overtime when Jacquian Williams stripped him.
UNSUNG HERO
Victor Cruz delivered an enormous effort, especially in the first half when he hauled in eight catches for 125 yards and set up Tynes’ late-first-half field goal almost single-handedly. Cruz had four grabs on that drive alone and finished with 10 catches for 142 yards.
KEY MOMENTS
There’s no way not to pin it on Kyle Williams’ two fumbles. The first with 11:17 to go in the fourth quarter, came when he failed to get away from a bouncing ball and it glanced off his right knee. It wasn’t originally ruled a fumble, but Tom Coughlin won the challenge. The second resulted in the Giants taking over at the Niners’ 24-yard line in OT.