It was déjà vu all over again as the New York Giants rode the right foot of Lawrence Tynes to the Super Bowl with a 20-17 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

Just as he had done in 2008 against the Green Bay Packers, Tynes propelled his squad to the yearly spectacle with a sudden death field goal on the road.

And, just like in 2008, the Giants will have a date with the New England Patriots.

Tynes' 31-yard game-winner was set up when Giants rookie Jacquian Williams stripped 49ers return man Kyle Williams, filling in for the injured Ted Ginn Jr., on a punt return.  

Devin Thomas recovered the ball for the Giants, his second special teams fumble recovery of the day, and, after three runs netting 18 yards by Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw, quarterback Eli Manning took a knee in the center of the field, perfectly framing Tynes' boot 7:54 into the extra frame.

On a rainy night in San Francisco's Candlestick Park, it was the home team that struck first.  Midway into the first quarter, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith connected with tight end Vernon Davis, who beat Giants safety Antrel Rolle down the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown.

The Giants would tie the game in the second quarter when Manning, who finished 32 of 58 for 316 yards, hit tight end Bear Pascoe in the end zone from six yards out.  

New York, who beat the defending Super Bowl Champion Packers last week in Green Bay with the help of a first half-ending touchdown on a hail mary, would score this week with two-seconds remaining in the half when Tynes converted a field goal from 31-yards out.

San Francisco took a 14-10 lead in the third quarter as Smith found Davis in the corner for a touchdown.  Smith finished the game 12 of 26 for 196 yards and two touchdowns, both to Davis, who caught three passes for 112 yards.

After five punts and limited offense, Kyle Williams made his first miscue of the night.  

On a 49-yard punt from Giants punter Steve Weatherford, the ball gently grazed Williams' knee as he attempted to avoid it.  Thomas picked it up for New York at the 49er 29-yard line.  

On the ensuing possession, Manning threaded a pass into the hands of wide receiver Mario Manningham for a touchdown and a 17-14 lead after the Tynes extra point.

San Francisco veteran kicker David Akers tied the game eight plays later.

New York won the coin toss in overtime and elected to receive.  After punts by both teams, the game became sudden death, per new overtime rules.  

It was on the third punt of overtime that Jacquian Williams swung his right hand into the right arm of Williams as he cradled the ball, knocking it loose.  Thomas dove for the loose ball as his teammates celebrated another special teams turnover.

It was the second turnover of the game for the 49ers, who only turned the ball over 10 times in the regular season.  Giants receiver Victor Cruz caught 10 passes for 142 yards.

Super Bowl XLVI is Sunday, February 5 in Indianapolis.