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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
OT | Final |
| Giants |
3 |
3 |
14 |
0 |
3 | 23 |
| Packers |
0 |
10 |
7 |
3 |
0 | 20 |
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POST-GAME NOTES & QUOTES
-Green Bay ended its record-setting season tonight after falling 23-20 to the New York Giants in overtime. They move to 10-4 all-time in NFC Championship Games (including NFL Championship Games, 1933-69).
-Of the four losses in the NFC title game in club history, tonight is the first loss at home (Green Bay or Milwaukee). The three previous losses came at New York (1938), at Philadelphia (1960) and at Dallas (1995).
-The last time the NFC Championship game went into overtime was on January 17, 1999, when Atlanta defeated Minnesota 30-27. Tonight was the fourth NFC Championship game to go into overtime.
-Kickoff temperature was recorded as -1, the second coldest home game in Packers history. The 1967 NFL Championship - the 'Ice Bowl' - is still the coldest recorded game in NFL history at -13. Tonight marked the third coldest game in NFL history (the 1981 AFC Championship Game, with temperatures at -9, ranks second).
-It appears as though fans were prepared appropriately for the frigid conditions. ems personnel at Lambeau Field treated roughly 12-15 people for minor cold-related issues.
-Brett Favre's two touchdowns tonight tied him with Joe Montana for the most career multi-touchdown postseason games. Both players now have 14 such games.
-Favre's first touchdown of the game, which came in the second quarter, marked his 18th consecutive postseason game touchdown, extending his NFL record.
-Tramon Williams' 49-yard kickoff return tied him for the third longest mark in Packers postseason history.
-Donald Driver's 90-yard touchdown reception was the longest play from scrimmage in Packers postseason history. The previous record was Favre's 81-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Freeman in Super Bowl XXXI.
-Mason Crosby made his first postseason field goal tonight with a 36-yard kick in the second quarter. He went on to connect again on a 37-yard kick in the fourth quarter.
-Today's paid attendance was 72,740, the largest crowd to ever see a game at Lambeau Field. The previous record was set at last week's Divisional playoff game against Seattle with a 72,168 attendance.
HEAD COACH MIKE MCCARTHY:
(on if he felt he let an opportunity slip away)
"We had opportunities to win the football game. I would first like to congratulate the New York Giants and Tom Coughlin. I thought they played very well this evening. We had a number of opportunities we didn't take advantage of, clearly ending with the series there in overtime. We weren't as sharp as we needed to be in a number of segments. It was a very disappointing loss."
(on what lessons can be learnt from today after having such a great season)
"I think it's important to keep your eye on the target. To me, this is a season of tremendous progress. We made a lot of progress as a football team. We were able to win a lot of games. We put ourselves in position for homefield advantage in the NFC Championship game. But we didn't finish the race. That's the lesson we need to learn. It's a tough lesson, especially in front of our home crowd. It's disappointing, it's going to take some time to move on from this, but this is a lesson we will learn from. And we will move on and continue to grow."
(on what he told the team afterwards)
"It's disappointing. We had a number of opportunities tonight. We didn't play our best football. I had an opportunity to tell them how much I appreciate what they've done for the organization and the effort they gave."
(on the interception in overtime)
"I couldn't tell you particularly about the throw. I was expecting pressure there, so I was watching the protection. We did have a weak side pressure and we were able to pick it up. Actually when my eyes came up, I just saw the end result with the interception there on our boundary. Obviously with the defense going on the field in that situation, I never had communication with the offensive coaches or saw the picture."
(on Brett's state of mind after seeming pretty emotional coming off the field)
"I have not spoken to Brett one on one, so I couldn't tell you."
QUARTERBACK BRETT FAVRE:
(on the interception)
"I just didn't throw it outside enough. It was what we call a shake route. Donald (Driver) had slipped him more like an out route, which was fine. I just didn't get it out far enough. It's too bad."
(on the disappointment)
"It's very disappointing. We had numerous opportunities today, numerous opportunities this year. Everything seemed to fall in line for us. I give the Giants a lot of credit. They played great, not only today but the latter part of the year, going on the road and won some games that no one gave them a chance. I'm proud of this team. Happy we got to this point, gave ourselves a shot. I'm disappointed that the last pass I threw was intercepted and gave them a chance to win."
(on if he thought they would pull off the win)
"We didn't play as well in the second half as we did in the first half. Once again, give them credit. I kept thinking, how many opportunities are we going to let slip away and we can't keep giving them opportunities like we were giving them."
(on retirement)
"I don't know. Had we won this game and gone to the Super Bowl and whatever happens in that game when it was over, I was going to go home and think about where I wanted to go from there. I don't think that's going to really change because we didn't make it. It's been a great year. I'm very disappointed. I'm not going to rush to any quick decisions. It will probably be quicker than it has been in the past. I'm not going to let this game sway my decision one way or the other."
CORNERBACK TRAMON WILLIAMS:
(on how it feels to fall one game short of the Super Bowl)
"Basically, you go out and you give everything that you have all season...and it all falls down the drain just in one game."
(on if he was surprised on how strong the Giants were)
"We weren't really surprised, I mean it's the NFC Championship man, you got to come in and play. And I wasn't really surprised that they came in here fighting. I mean, that's what you're supposed to do and I give them all the credit. But I felt we had some opportunities that we just didn't take advantage of."
(on how he feels right now)
"I'm ready to get back out there and get after it. But, I mean, it (isn't) as simple as that. You got to go through this all over again."
(on how tough the conditions were)
"It wasn't that tough. We just went out there and played. It wasn't tough at all."
KICKER MASON CROSBY:
(on summing up the ride of this team throughout the season)
"Yeah, you know, it's been incredible, but obviously we fell short because the Super Bowl was our ultimate goal. It hurts a lot just knowing that we're not going to be there in a couple weeks. Other than that, it's been unbelievable how well this team has just performed and come out every week, done our jobs and it just hurts falling short right now."
(on if he was factoring in the wind on his kicks)
"No, you know it wasn't really affecting it too much on field goals. If we would have gotten a little longer out, maybe a little bit. But I went out there pre-game and I was playing with it a little bit and it wasn't moving it enough to play too much with it. The second one, the wind starting kicking at the end, but it wasn't a long enough kick to affect it too much. I just focused on hitting the ball solid and putting it through."
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN MARK TAUSCHER:
(on what's the hardest part of a loss like this)
"These opportunities are so tough to come by, that's what hard about it."
(on the play where he recovered the fumble)
"You're taught to cover. Tough play against us and it's just something we're taught to go down and do."
(on if the game plan was to throw the ball as much as they did)
"We just wanted to score points. You just want to go out and score points. All that other stuff, rushes and things like that, that's pretty secondary to putting points on the board."
(on if he was feeling pretty good, like they had new life going into overtime)
"We just kept not taking advantage of opportunities. It started early and it finished that way."
(on if this loss drives him during the offseason)
"It's a devastating loss. You have to deal with it."
RUNNING BACK RYAN GRANT:
(on how much the Giants took them out of their game plan)
"We had a lot of opportunities. Because the game was close, we didn't really have to get away from our game plan. Of course they shut down the run pretty well, so we had to try some different things passing the ball. But we tried to stay to with it...they just played better than us. They executed better than us and that's one thing we take pride in."
(on whether they were confident offensively)
"Absolutely. We felt like they would have to hang with us, (it was) just a matter of we feel like our pace, our tempo, and we always have the offense. With the things we've done this year, we have confidence in every drive. We want to score and we expect to score every time.
(on whether this is the toughest loss he's suffered)
"Yeah, absolutely. To lose like that it's tough."
(on what the Giants did to stop the run)
"They just played solid. They did a few stunts, they brought some pressure, but they just played solid."
LINEBACKER A.J. HAWK:
(on the positives they can take from this season)
"We need to take the good things that we did this year and use them to build for next year. It's tough saying that right now, but we're going to have to bounce back and we will. Right now it's obviously hard, but the good things we did this year, we need to keep doing and the things that we didn't do so well, we know we need to correct if we want to get to where we want to be next year."
(on what were some of the good things they did this year)
"I think obviously our offense played great all year. Defensively they helped us out a ton. Tonight we didn't help them out, obviously. But I just think for the most part throughout the year our defense was doing a good job stopping the run. Tonight we didn't do that either, so just different things. But I've said before, I give the Giants credit. They made plays tonight."
(on whether he was surprised that it came down to the wire and ended like it did)
"Yeah, we felt like we had some opportunities early that we could've gotten momentum and tried to run with it, but we didn't do that and they did a good job of holding onto the ball and making plays when they had to. They did that tonight and that's why they're moving on."
DEFENSIVE TACKLE RYAN PICKETT:
(on whether you can express how much the loss hurts right now)
"No, not right now. I mean, it hurts. Guys left it all out on the field. They played better than us today. I don't think we played our best ball, but not taking anything from them. They played well."
(on whether there was one play that was the turning point)
"No, I think it was the whole game. I mean, it was back and forth the whole game. I just think the defense, we didn't make plays when we could."
(on how Eli Manning was so effective)
"I mean he was throwing it up and receivers (were) catching it. We got pressure on him, got a lot of hits on him, but he just did a good job staying in the pocket, finding his open receivers.
(on whether the emotions had sunk in yet)
"They sink in right away. You're devastated. Somebody's celebrating on your field, going to the Super Bowl and we felt like we were the better team. But it hurts. It definitely hurts. It's a long offseason thinking about how it took us a long time to get here and now it's back to the board. You get a couple months and get back to work, try to get back next year.
**
SCORING SUMMARY & GAME NOTES
NYG 23, GB 20
NYG: Tynes, 47 field goal, 12:34
4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 1:39
Key plays: An interception by Webster gave the Giants possession in Green Bay territory.
<4th Qtr>
GB 20, NYG 20
GB: Crosby, 37 field goal, 11:46
4 plays, 0 yards, TOP 2:14
Key plays: The Packers caught a big break, when Favre was intercepted by R.W. McQuarters inside the Giants' 10-yard line, but Ryan Grant then stripped McQuarters on the return, and Mark Tauscher recovered at the New York 19. The drive didn't go anywhere from there, and Crosby tied the game.
<3rd Qtr>
NYG 20, GB 17
NYG: Ahmad Bradshaw, 4 run, 2:12
7 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:48
Key plays: A 10-yard run by Bradshaw early in the drive picked up a first down, and a 23-yard pass to Amani Toomer, who made a diving grab while dragging both toes in bounds, moved the Giants into the red zone. Another pass to Toomer set up the Bradshaw TD run.
GB 17, NYG 13
GB: Donald Lee, 12 pass from Favre, 5:00
6 plays, 39 yards, TOP 2:56
Key plays: Tramon Williams' 49-yard kickoff return gave the Packers good field position, and this time a crucial third-down penalty on the Giants kept the drive going. Sam Madison was called for unnecessary roughness after a third-down catch by Driver was short of the first down. The 15-yard penalty gave the Packers a first down on the Giants' 12-yard line, and Favre hit Lee on the next play.
NYG 13, GB 10
NYG: Brandon Jacobs, 1 run, 7:56
12 plays, 69 yards, TOP 7:04
Key plays: A pair of third-down penalties on the Packers kept this drive alive. First, an illegal contact foul on Al Harris negated his own interception, and then Nick Collins was called for roughing the passer when a third-down pass was batted down by Corey Williams. A 1-yard run by Jacobs on third down made it first-and-goal on the 1, and the Giants kept the ball when Kevin Boss recovered Jacobs' fumble. Back-to-back offsides penalties on the Packers moved the ball just inches from the goal line, and Jacobs punched it in.
<2nd Qtr>
GB 10, NYG 6
GB: Mason Crosby, 36 field goal, 1:30
8 plays, 29 yards, TOP 2:58
Key plays: An illegal contact penalty on New York safety Michael Johnson on third down gave the Packers a first down. Then a 20-yard bullet from Favre to Driver moved the Packers into field-goal range.
GB 7, NYG 6
GB: Donald Driver, 90 pass from Brett Favre, 11:18
1 plays, 90 yards, TOP :23
Key plays: Driver beat cornerback Corey Webster badly off the jam at the line of scrimmage and was wide open down the right sideline. He caught Favre's pass in stride and then outran safety Gibril Wilson and Webster to the end zone.
NYG 6, GB 0
NYG: Tynes, 37 field goal, 11:41
7 plays, 38 yards, TOP 3:04
Key plays: A juggling 21-yard catch by Plaxico Burress got the Giants into the red zone, and they caught a lucky bounce when Burress' fumble went out of bounds. A false start penalty and two incomplete passes led to another field goal try.
<1st Qtr>
NYG 3, GB 0
NYG: Lawrence Tynes, 29 field goal, 4:50
14 plays, 71 yards, TOP 7:48
Key plays: A 19-yard pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress converted an early third-and-10, and an offsides call on Green Bay's Corey Williams on third-and-1 gave the Giants another first down. A 12-yard pass to tight end Kevin Boss moved the Giants into the red zone, but the drive stalled as Brandon Jacobs was tackled for no gain and Manning threw two incomplete passes.
**
The Packers won the coin toss and elected to receive.
Gametime weather: clear, -1 degree, -23 wind chill
**
The following Packers players are inactive for today's game:
16 QB Craig Nall (third QB)
19 WR Shaun Bodiford
27 CB Will Blackmon
41 CB Frank Walker
69 T Orrin Thompson
87 TE Ryan Krause
93 DT Conrad Bolston
95 DT Daniel Muir
Starting Lineup Changes:
No changes.
**
The following Giants players are inactive for today's game:
13 QB Jared Lorenzen (third QB)
26 RB Danny Ware
35 CB Kevin Dockery
61 T Adam Koets
75 DT Manny Wright
83 WR Sinorice Moss
86 TE Jerome Collins
99 DT Russell Davis
Starting Lineup Changes:
No changes.
**
PACKERS-GIANTS PRESS BOX NOTES
-The Green Bay Packers and New York Giants meet for the second time this season with a trip to Super Bowl XLII on the line.
-The Packers come into the 75th NFC title game on the heels of one of the most memorable playoff games in Lambeau Field history. Before 72,168 fans, the largest crowd ever to see a game at Lambeau Field, the Packers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 42-20 to earn the franchise's 14th berth in the NFC Championship Game.
-The Giants, whom the Packers defeated in Week 2, 35-13, earned a spot in the NFC title game by defeating No. 1 seed Dallas, 21-17.
-No franchise has won more NFC Championships (including NFL Championship Games, 1933-69) than the Packers, who have emerged victorious 10 times in 13 appearances.
-Sunday marks the 269th consecutive sellout at Lambeau Field (253 regular season, 16 playoffs), the league's longest-tenured stadium.
-The Packers have won four consecutive postseason games against the Giants. Another victory will tie the NFL record of consecutive postseason victories over one opponent at five, set by the Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Bal/Ind. Colts).
-Two of the most venerable franchises in professional football history, the teams have combined for 18 championships. Green Bay (12 titles) ranks No. 1 among all NFL franchises, while the Giants (6) rank third.
-With both teams finishing 8-8 in 2006, it took four tiebreakers and percentage points to give the Giants - and not the Packers - the NFC's second Wild Card berth last winter.
-Head Coach Mike McCarthy becomes the first Packers coach since Vince Lombardi to lead his team to a championship game in his second season. In 1960, Green Bay lost to Philadelphia in the NFL Championship.
-Green Bay has chosen Bart Starr to serve as honorary captain. Starr won five world titles and two Super Bowl MVPs in his storied career with the Packers (1956-71).
-Both clubs enter the game on a roll. Green Bay has won 18 of its last 21 games, including 10 of its last 11 at home. The Giants have won nine consecutive contests on the road.
The Packers In The Playoffs
-Green Bay made the postseason for the 11th time in 15 seasons.
-Winners of the NFC?North, the Packers collected their 18th division title in club history. This marks their 24th postseason appearance and first NFC Championship Game since '97. They last hosted the NFC title game in '96.
-Its 25-14 (.641) W-L record in the playoffs is the second-best winning percentage in National Football League history.
-Also second-best in NFL postseason history is the Packers' 15-2 (.882) record at home. Only the New England Patriots (10-1, .909) own a better home record (min. 10 games).
-In NFC Championship Game history, home teams are 50-24 (.676).
-Brett Favre will start his 22nd playoff game Sunday, his 275th consecutive start overall. He owns a 12-9 (.571) career W-L record in the postseason, including a 2-1 mark in NFC title games.
-Running back Ryan Grant, a New York native and star of the Divisional Playoffs for the Packers, squares off against his former club. Grant was traded from the Giants to the Packers on Sept. 1.
Coldest Recorded Home Games In Packers History
-Two previous NFC Championship Games - including the 'Ice Bowl' in 1967 - headline the list of the coldest recorded home games in Packers history.
-Kickoff temperature was 13 below zero at the 'Ice Bowl', still the coldest game in NFL history. Wind chill was measured at minus-46.
uFavre owns a remarkable 43-5 record at home (39-5 Lambeau Field, 4-0 Milwaukee) including playoffs in cold weather (temperatures at 34º or below).
-At look at the coldest recorded home games in Packers history:
-13 (-46 wind chill)
Dec. 31, 1967
Dallas Cowboys (GB)
W, 21-17
*postseason game
0 (-22 wind chill)
Dec. 26, 1993
Los Angeles Raiders (GB)
W, 28-0
2 (-35 wind chill)
Dec. 22, 1990
Detroit Lions (GB)
L, 24-17
3 (-17 wind chill)
Jan. 12, 1997
Carolina Panthers (GB)
W, 30-13
*postseason game
6 (-19 wind chill)
Nov. 28, 1976
Chicago Bears (GB)
L, 16-10
8 (-15 wind chill)
Dec. 20, 1992
Los Angeles Rams (GB)
W, 28-13
Wind Chill: A measure of the cooling effect of wind. Wind increases the rate at which a body loses heat, so the air on a windy day feels cooler than the temperature indicated by a
thermometer. This heat loss can be calculated for various combinations of wind speed and air temperature and then converted to a wind chill equivalent temperature.
Wearing The Stripes
Today's officiating crew includes referee Terry McAuley (77), umpire Roy Ellison (81), head linesman Jim Mello (48), line judge Jeff Bergman (32), field judge Scott Steenson (88), side judge Rick Patterson (15) and back judge Perry Paganelli (46). Alternates include Bill Leavy (127) and Tom?Stephan (68).
**
What To Watch For Today
-Sunday marks the 40th postseason game in franchise history and the 16th game in postseason history at venerable Lambeau Field.
-Aim to earn the 11th NFC Championship and fifth Super Bowl berth in club history. The Packers last appeared in Super Bowl XXXII.
4 BRETT FAVRE
-Will make his 275th consecutive start (including playoffs) at quarterback. His 253 consecutive regular-season starts is the second-longest recorded streak in NFL history. Only Minnesota's Jim Marshall (270, 1961-79) has been documented to have started more games in consecutive fashion.
-Has thrown a touchdown pass in 17 consecutive playoffs games, an NFL record. His last postseason game without a TD pass was the 1994 Divisional Playoffs, a 35-9 loss at Dallas (Jan. 8, 1995).
-Needs at least two touchdowns to tie No. 1 Joe Montana on the NFL's all-time list with 14 career mutli-TD postseason games. Favre enters with 13 such postseason games.
-Has 40 career game-winning comebacks (fourth quarter deficit or tie), including three in the postseason.
25 RYAN GRANT
uWith 78 rushing yards, will surpass Duane Thomas (Dallas, 278 yards) for the most rushing yards by a player in his first two career postseason games in league history.
74 AARON KAMPMAN
-With a sack Sunday, will move into a tie with No. 2 Sean Jones and Keith McKenzie with four career postseason sacks. Reggie White is the franchise's all-time leader with eight postseason sacks. |
 | Badger Mutual Family of the Game
Seventh-graders in the state of Wisconsin are eligible to enter an essay contest to see their family named the Badger Mutual Insurance Family of the Game. Winners will receive four game tickets, pre-game VIP on-field passes, recognition on the video board during the game and much more. To enter, Wisconsin seventh-graders should write an essay of 500 words or less that tells "Why Education Is Important to Me." Print out a registration form on packers.com. |
|
 | Coldwell Banker "Take it to the House"
Two lucky couples will have a chance to win a house courtesy of Coldwell Banker during halftime at every home game. Visit one of Coldwell Banker's Open Houses to sign up!
"Take it to the House" TV Commercial - Real | Windows |
|
 | Crunch Time Catch
The Crunch Time Catch presented by Copps and Pick 'n Save gives two contestants the chance to show their skills catching punts. Both contestants will attempt to catch a thirty yard punt. If they succeed they move on to a sixty yard punt for the chance to win an Ariens® snow thrower or lawnmower. |
|
 | Kohl's Fan of the Game
Four randomly selected fans will be selected at every Packer home game to win Kohl's Gift Cards. |
|
 | Kraft Best Seats in the House Sweepstakes
Watch the game from the "Best Seats in the House". Winners and a guest will watch the game from recliners in the stands. The area will also include a color TV and a fully catered picnic lunch. Entry forms available at participating retailers. |
|
 | MasterCard Fan Photographer
All Associated Bank customers who make a signature-based transaction will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. You and a guest will receive passes to be on the field for the Packers warm-up to take pictures that will be posted on Packers.com. |
|
 | Miller Lite End Zone
Watch for Miller promotions throughout the season for a chance to be part of this exciting section. |
|
 | Nicolet Water Boy/Girl Sweepstakes
Win a chance to be the Official Water Boy/Girl of the Green Bay Packers. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may enter by sending in an official entry form available at participating retailers. |
|
 | Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone"
Stop by the Novartis "Blood Pressure Success Zone" located in the Atrium to have your blood pressure screened. While you are there be sure to pick up information on how you can be eligible to win Packers home game tickets, Packers Pro Shop gift cards and a trip for 2 to the Packers away game in Jacksonville!
To learn more about the program, visit www.packers.bpsuccesszone.com |
|
 | Operation Fan Mail
The Green Bay Packers and Festival Foods this season are recognizing military families separated by active duty with a new program, 'Operation Fan Mail.' The families will be recognized on the field during home pregame activities.
To choose families, the Packers and Festival Foods are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628, or by clicking here. |
|
 | Shopko Kickoff Kid promotion
Packer fans 12 and under can win the opportunity of a lifetime: Packers Honorary Kickoff Kid! One lucky fan will be selected for each 2006 home game to run onto the field after the Packers first kickoff to retrieve the tee. Each winner will receive the opportunity to be on the field during pre-game warm-ups, four (4) game tickets for the winner and his/her family, and a Packers Goodie Bag. Visit participating Shopko stores for your chance to win! |
|
 | Verizon Jr. Captain
For every home game one lucky Packers fan between the ages of 7 and 14 is selected to be the Verizon Jr. Captain of the game and join the team captains on the field during the coin toss. Sign up at participating Verizon Wireless locations. verizonwireless.com |
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