Niners' Kyle Williams helps send Giants to Super Bowl

GIANTS 20

49ERS 17 

It wasn't pretty; in fact, it was downright ugly, but the New York Giants are heading back to the Super Bowl for the second time in the Tom Coughlin era, that's right, Coughlin detractors, the second Super Bowl in the Coughlin era.

While Eli Manning and the Giants offense had to slug it out against the 49ers ferocious defense, they can thank Niners' receiver Kyle Williams for sending them back to the big dance for a rematch with the New England Patriots.

Williams fumbled not once but twice on punt returns that resulted in Giants points.

With San Francisco leading 14-10, the Niners held the Giants down deep in their own territory, forcing New York to punt the football; however, as the ball trickled down the field near the San Francisco 30, Williams got close to the ball and allowed it to touch his knee, making it a live football. The Giants jumped on the ball for the recovery.

With this golden opportunity, the Giants had to battle to get into the end zone. There was a offensive holding penalty and an incomplete pass that put New York in a long second and 20, but Manning would not back down. On third and 15, he threaded a bullet to Mario Manningham for the touchdown, giving the Giants a 17-14 lead.

San Francisco quickly answered. Alex Smith scrambled out of pocket for a 17 yard gain, and Kendell Hunter dashed down the sideline for 18 more yards, eventually setting up a David Akers field goal to tie it at 17.

From there the game turned into a slugfest. Neither offense could move the football. Alex Smith proved that he is not a franchise quarterback. He was putrid. He held onto the ball too long, made abysmal throws, and didn't know what to do when the Giants pass rush came at him. It was a wasted effort by the Niners defense because the offense was that poor. Here are some stats. The Niners were 1-of-13 on third downs, and threw for only 178 yards. If 49er fans weren't sure about jumping into the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, they are now.

As for Manning, he was dragged through the dirt all day. Sacked six times, hit 19 times, and blitzed early and often by the combination of Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis. Manning's jersey was completely dirty, his shoulder pads were hanging out of his shirt for the better part of the night, and his helmet was practically torn off his head, yet the guy stood in there. He threw the ball all over the park, even if it meant missing on his receivers Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham.

The rematch is coming...

For his part, Curz had a huge game. He had 10 catches for 142 yards in the first half, but he was shut down in the second half and in overtime. The Niners did a great job in covering him.

Now back to that Williams fellow. In overtime, after Manning was sacked for the sixth time, the Giants were forced to punt the football. Williams stood at his own 20 yard line, and dropped the football as soon as it hit his hands; the Giants recovered. Ball game.

The Giants moved the ball to the middle of the field and kicked an easy 31 yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes to send the Giants back to the big show.

For Big Blue, it has been a remarkable season. They looked dead in week 15 after losing to the Redskins 23-10, falling to 7-7. They turned it on against the Jets in week 16, and haven't looked back since.

Now America can get ready for a Super Bowl XLII rematch between New York and New England. Helmet catches anyone?