NFL

Dream comes true for Giants kicker Tynes

WHAT A KICK!Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes celebrates his game-winning kick that beat the 49ers 20-17 in overtime last night in the NFC Championship Game, then shares a hug with his wife (inset) afterward. (AP; Paul J. Bereswill (inset))

SAN FRANCISCO –Kickers have dreams, too. And nightmares.

Lawrence Tynes dreamed on Saturday night that he would kick the game winner in the NFC Championship last night and, again, his Super dreams have come true.

After his 31-yard field goal screamed through the uprights at the 7:06 mark of overtime, giving the Giants a 20-17 victory over the 49ers at wet and wild Candlestick Park, Tynes screamed with delight. He was taking the Giants back to the Super Bowl to play the Patriots.

“I dreamed that I would hit it from 42 yards, left hash,” Tynes said. “Who knows why I dreamed I would kick a game-winner? When you’re a place-kicker you always think about this moment. I was a little more full of anxiety today for some reason. I’m usually not that nervous before games.”

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The Ravens’ Super Bowl dreams were dashed when kicker Billy Cundiff missed from 32 yards earlier in the day. Tynes made his kick despite the wind and rain.

“The weather was terrible,” Tynes explained as he stood in front of his locker. “The balls were wet, the balls were full of grass, even extra points were no gimmee tonight.”

The snap was low, but holder Steve Weatherford saved the day, setting it up perfectly for Tynes.

“I trust Steve,” Tynes said.

That’s the key word for these Giants. They trust one another.

Victor Cruz has his salsa dance. Tynes has his dance.

Tynes had to wait a little longer to make sure Weatherford, the punter, who was involved in so many big plays last night, set it up. Tynes had to sit through a timeout, but none of it mattered.

“I just have a routine man, three steps back, two steps over, keep my head down,” Tynes said. “It’s the same thing every time, whether I’m delayed or get a timeout called; three steps back, two steps over. I can do it in the parking lot. I do it in my room all night. It’s just a little bit different with the people in the stands.”

Tynes sent the Giants to the Super Bowl four years ago with an overtime 47-yarder that beat the Packers.

“This kick tonight was as tough as the kick in ’08 just different circumstances,” Tynes said. “The moisture, the footing was tough, the balls were really slick.”

He then smiled.

“I’m going to a dome for the Super Bowl, so we’ll be all right,” Tynes said.

“I was just a guy trying to make it,” Tynes said of his career path. “I think I’M playing for my job every week, that’s how I approach it and I still will next time out, two weeks from now.”

On the sideline before The Kick, after the Giants got the big turnover, a fumble by Kyle Williams off a hit from Jacquian Williams on a Weatherford punt, Tynes was only thinking: “Stay calm, stay focused. I know it was going left to right.”

He knows what the kicker’ life is like.

“You are only as good as your last kick,” he said, “and fortunately I made my last kick.”

And after he made the kick, the celebration began.

“To celebrate with these guys who were out there busting their butts for 60 minutes, that’s the best part,” Tynes said. “Listen, we play a small fraction of the game, these guys are out there getting their teeth kicked in for 60 minutes.”

Sometimes longer.

“The joy I share is more for them,” he said.

As he celebrated he was looking for his wife, Amanda.

“I found her, she was out there on the field,” he said.

Kickers are regular people, too.

“I’ve got to take my kids to school at 7 a.m. [today.]” said Tynes. “My wife will get home a little bit later. I have to get them to school. That will be a fun trip.”

Whether it’s taking the kids to school or the Giants to the Super Bowl, Lawrence Tynes is right on target.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com