Eli Manning, New York Giants Beat 49ers 20-17 In Overtime To Return To Super Bowl

Eli Manning, New York Giants Beat 49ers 20-17 In Overtime To Return To Super Bowl.Eli Manning led a short, final and Tynes scored game-winning 31-yard overtime, sending the Giants to the Super Bowl with a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game Sunday.

In another tight competition in this decades-old series, both defenses stopped in New York capitalized on a key before another costly mistake in San Francisco.

Manning and the Giants (12-7) will face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis as 3 ½ point underdogs. The last time the teams met for the title of the 2008 NFL, the Giants ended the Patriots' bid for a perfect season.

Tynes had a hand, err, walk the Giants get to it again, kick the purpose of playground-winner in overtime in Green Bay.

Devin Thomas put the Giants in position by recovering the fumble second of the game after Jacquian Williams stripped the ball from fill-in return man Kyle Williams, who also dabbled early to set up a touchdown in New York.

"This is my second NFC championship game, my second game-winner," said Tynes. "It's amazing. I had dreams about this last night. He was 42, not 31, but I was so nervous before the game just now anticipates this kind of game. I am usually pretty cool, but there was something tonight, I knew I would have to make a kick. Hats off to Eli, offensive, defensive and great win. "

Manning was 32 of 58 for 316 yards and two touchdowns in his file of the road fifth win in the playoffs, the New York fifth in a row overall and fifth among the six.

A 12-point underdog in the game 2008 the title, the Giants defeated Brady and got a pass at the end of minute TD from Manning to Plaxico Burress to win their third Super Bowl.

Five months after declaring that it is in the same class as Tom Brady, Manning will have another chance to excel Brady on the biggest stage in the NFL. He dominated the Packers Aaron Rodgers and the defending champion last week, while former No. 1 picks Alex Smith and fellow climber from San Francisco the next day.

Victor Cruz set the tone with eight of his 10 receptions in the first half and finished with 142 yards

"It's just been a huge effort from all of us, man," said Cruz. "We understand that each of us can get hot at any time. As we are all on the same page and just play together, man, we have a good group of guys. "

Vernon Davis caught touchdown passes of 73 and 28 yards and the liquidation of three catches for 112 yards in NFC West champions (14-4), who went from June to October a year ago to a competitor and ended with a playoff drought of eight years.

He scored the winning goal from 14 yards last week that the 49ers stunned Drew Brees and the Saints 36-32 favored.

Thirty years after their dynasty began under the late Bill Walsh, another former Stanford coach - Jim Harbaugh - the 49ers got off with his "Who has done better than us No-body!" Song that has taken so well with players and the city.

"It will be a difficult question. It will take some time for more, "said Harbaugh.

The only other time these two franchises clashed in the conference championship game ended in memorable fashion. On January 20, 1991, Roger Craig fumbled with the 49ers 13-12 at the end of the first plan in the fourth quarter and the Giants won 15-13 in San Francisco denied a chance at a third straight Super Bowl title. New York then beat the Bills to capture its second Super Bowl.

These teams met in the playoffs six times between 1981 and '94 seasons with the winner going on to win the Super Bowl four times.

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Smith, Manning Not Alone In Finding Redemption

Smith, Manning Not Alone In Finding Redemption.SANTA CLARA - When his achievements were accumulating as much laundry, and his dreams seemed no farther than his closest receiver, Alex Smith developed a bad habit in the need to break.

In a word, it was "obvious."

"It was intellectual, very cerebral," said quarterback Steve Shenbaum San Francisco. "It was so clever that one of the things he said in his interviews was:" Obviously. "I said, 'Alex, you may not be obvious to all."

"Things that are obvious to Alex Smith may not be obvious at first sight."

Before Smith became the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, he traveled to Florida IMG Academies' Institute of Sport Performance for a new coat of enamel. He had earned an economics degree in two years at the University of Utah, led the Utes to 21 wins in 22 games and compiled a set of football statistics are, even now, a wonder to behold.

Shenbaum, a trained actor who had founded a communications company called The Game, was recruited to sharpen presentation skills Smith to make it more attractive and backup media, to apply the finishing touches on a transcendent talent.

Obviously, there was still work to do.

Almost seven years since the 49ers selected him to revive a franchise of Joe Montana and Steve Young Marshal five NFL championships, Alex Smith has finally returned to the fast lane of professional football after the derailment of a long and confusing. The star of the helix leads the Niners school in the championship game Sunday against the NFC New York Giants with his reputation restored, renewed confidence and status cemented by a great season and a bravura performance in the thriller of the playoffs on Saturday against New Orleans Saints.

Obviously, there's more to these eyes have met in recent seasons. More 49ers fans are recognized when booed. 49ers coaches more appreciated when they benched. More than a dizzying parade offensive coordinators had been able to obtain.

Enough, perhaps, to reach the Super Bowl.

"The man has been through hell as a quarterback," say Young, now an analyst for ESPN. "It's been through hell in the quarterback that they have a different coordinator, different language. He was trying to describe how learning French and learning Spanish and learning Japanese and learning foreign languages ​​all, new are accountable without support.

"And this year, suddenly, it becomes all the support and feel like, 'Well, I feel like I'm doing less. I feel it is easier." But, however, is now doing extraordinary things. "

Now in its seventh offensive coordinator in seven years, Alex Smith has found stability in the person of the 49ers new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Although adaptation to a new system and a training camp truncated by blocking the NFL, Smith finished his career with 61.3 percent of his passes during the regular season, managed a career-high 90.7 passer rating, and led the 49ers to 13 wins in 16 games.
In a word, claimed.

"I think if we win this game and go to the Super Bowl, said (told you) itself," said Smith. "I'm not thinking about that now. I really feel like winning games as a quarterback in this season speaks for itself. That's what you're talking about."

Although it has been ridiculed as a "game manager” irritated praise so weak that their coaches - Smith beat the Saints with his legs and his arm decisive touchdown in the final minutes. The ending was so sweet, so dramatic and so evocative of the exploits of Tim Tebow announced that Shenbaum Facebook friends he was "Blacksmith".

"I think 'Blacksmith' means to be humble, to have your priorities in order," said Shenbaum. "If he took things too seriously, would not have survived the last six years. It would have broken."

Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen, once one of the coaches in Utah Smith, met with a recruit when he abruptly announced Saturday, "We have to stop talking" to see the end of the game .

"To see everything that overcomes adversity," Mullen said, "My wife called me crying. ... Here is someone who has worked for seven years and has dedicated the series and wanted to excel and prove he could do so if Believe it or not. "

Smith responded to Harbaugh as a former quarterback whose career had not always run smoothly. Eligible for free agency, Smith signed a one-year contract for its seventh season in San Francisco. He will finish it, most likely, as an accessory.

"I think he knew it was a matter of circumstance, a lot of things together," said Doug Smith of his son. "A year in the NFL a long time.

"It could just as easily happen there as anywhere else. It is always easy to look out there and say that the grass is greener. (But) the less you know about a situation, the better it looks."

Viewed from a distance, Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman wonders if Smith's career stalled after Norv Turner left the 49 to become head coach of the Chargers. Turner had been the coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys offensive Aikman during the formative years and in a year with the Niners Smith helped lift the score to interception ratio of 1-to-11-16-to-16.

"I thought I had all the physical skills to be a very good player," said Turner. "I thought it better than ever as the season progressed and what really impressed me was that he played his best in the fourth quarter.

"... I think everyone can appreciate Alex (now). He may have left. He could have said:" This will not happen here, and everyone is against him. He did the right thing in terms of fighting it. "

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Tom Brady Shows Tim Tebow How It’s Done, Throws 6 TD Passes in Rout.

Tom Brady Shows Tim Tebow How It’s Done, Throws 6 TD Passes in Rout.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Tom Brady how to deal with Tebowmania was silence Saturday with a record-breaking.

Brady threw six touchdown passes - five of them in the first half - and the New England Patriots rolled into the AFC championship game bullied by Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos 45-10.

The Patriots, who finished a three playoff defeats, will host the Baltimore Ravens or the Houston Texans next Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl.

''We came and started quickly, and it was a great victory for us, ‘said Brady.

The game was an offset from the first snap. A nation transfixed by the game Tebow, if not his religious principles, listening to see if there was more heroic in the store to the Patriots. But he has nothing left, completing just 9 of 26 passes for 136 yards.

! With the Patriots leading 42-7, the fans at Gillette Stadium began a derisive chant de''Teeee-bow''Sur the next game, Tebow was sacked for a loss of 11 yards - one of five bags for Patriots defense.

''We went out and played hard and good things happened, ‘Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said.

Meanwhile, the Broncos were powerless to stop Brady (26-for-34 for 363 yards) and could not cover or tackle tight end Rob Gronkowski (10 catches for 145 yards). Brady hit six passes Daryle Lamonica and tied Steve Young for most in a playoff game, and Gronkowski connected in series with a mark taken three rating.

''We were playing football complementary, and it was great, ‘said Gronkowski.

Brady - who passed for 5,235 yards during the regular season, second in NFL history at the New Orleans Saints Drew Brees (5,476 this season) - moved to third place in career touchdown pass in the playoffs with 36. He trails Joe Montana (45) and Brett Favre (44).

Brady touchdown passes covered seven yards to Wes Welker and 10 yards in the first quarter Gronkowski, 12 and 19 yards to 61 yards to Gronkowski and Deion Branch in the second, and 17 yards to Aaron Hernandez in the third.

The Broncos touchdown "is entering a five-yard run by Willis McGahee in the second quarter that pulled them to 14-7.

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Rams In Suspense,Jeff Fisher Still Keeping Dolphins

Within two days, Jeff Fisher, a team is leaning toward each other and promote Undecided gone.
Miami Dolphins and St. Louis rams are still waiting to Fisher, where he will coach next season to decide.
Former Tennessee Titans Dolphins coach reportedly held for the benefit begins to be, but the story twists and turns have taken over.
NFL Network reported Wednesday afternoon Fisher was "close" to promote the first ram to accept the offer from the Dolphins.
This Tony Sparano, who was fired with three games remaining in regular season acquisition from the Miami area was above target.
Officer Fisher, Marvin Demoff, failed access attempts, but the NFL network cited unidentified sources "Dolphins have a strong foundation was instrumental in the change of heart after a 0-7 start.Miami finished strong, winning six of nine.
Just 48 hours after it was just the opposite.
Saint Louis Fisher relations in various reports linking him with a peak appeared in RAM.
Agent Fisher, vice president Kevin Demoff is the father of ram.Ram cap room for two years and the number 2 draft pick this year.
However, while the dolphin is considered a short period after completion of 2-14 ram will need to have a hall.
Dolphins and Brandon Marshall, a strong defense and a Reggie Bush, the first tandem in franchise history to surpass 1,000 meters this season offer a property crime.
"The infrastructure is in place in Miami, some [Fisher] was not really in St. Louis," NFL Network's Mike Lombardi on Wednesday, WQAM (560 AM) said.
"I know that for people who are drawn to Tennessee from Miami said."
The rumors gained steam as the Dolphins, according to a Wednesday press conference was organized to hire.
They proved premature after SI.com reported Wednesday night, Fisher was Undecided.
Fisher interim coach Todd Bowles, including five position, is among the candidates for the interview. Sparano said after changing to a 2-1 record led the Dolphins.
Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave other defendants Toub, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, who were Philbin.
Philbin, 21 year old son passed away on Monday, playoffs only candidate still in operation, which means the Dolphins played one season for the Packers will have to wait until the end.
Fisher with a head coaching experience at the professional level member of the group and, more important, prestigious Dolphins is a great name.
Team owner Steve Ross and general manager Jeff Ireland is clear from the start that they are looking for a coach, finally dry, Dolphins playoff three years to prove he's not.
142-120 in 17 seasons with the Titans Fisher as interim coach, including a period,. He had six winning seasons and won four division titles, one Super Bowl appearance in 2000, culminating.Titans lost 23-16 ram.
Fisher is a close match was in 2008 after completing the Titans 13-3 AFC's No. 1 seed to win.
Baltimore Ravens in the playoff season opener ended with a disappointing loss, Fisher began to fall.
Following the 2010 season after a 60-10 record, two championships, despite being the longest of coach boss was fired.Fisher moved to drive them away, saying he needs a break.

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Tebow Leads Broncos To Playoff Victory In Overtime

Tebow Leads Broncos To Playoff Victory In Overtime.DENVER - "pull the trigger," said John Elway Denver Broncos its star, Tim Tebow, trying to shake the quarterback of a three-game funk.

Tebow did better - we got the win.

A rejuvenated related Tebow Demaryius Thomas in a slide electrifying 80-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime and the Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in the wild surprise of the AFC on Sunday.

Wild does not begin to describe. The work took 11 seconds and was the fastest to end extra time in the history of the NFL.

Thomas caught a great action game step by Denver 38, takes Ike Taylor and outrace armed backup safety Ryan Mundy of the end zone.

"I was just saying,` The man relies on his speed. Trust your speed. Do not reduce. Do not reduce. And keep it straight. He outran the man, "said Willis McGahee, whose fumble in the fourth quarter helped Pittsburgh tied the game.

"I was like, 'Oh, my God, are you still working? Please just go. Please. Please."

Tebow, who had done almost nothing in the second half after a burst of 20 points in the second quarter, it seemed as surprised as everyone else. He pursued Thomas and one knee - Tebowing as it is known - in the end zone, while the crowd was going crazy. Then he hit his fist in triumph and took a victory lap.

"When I saw him score in the first place, I just thought, 'Thank you, Lord,'" said Tebow. "So I was running very fast, chasing him - I can reach DT Then he jumped into the stands, the first time I've done that was fun then got on one knee and thanked the Lord .. Again and tried to celebrate with my teammates and the fans. "

Behind the peak of Tebow 316 yards, the Broncos (9-8) heads to New England for a second round match against top-seeded Patriots (13-3) on Saturday night.

The Patriots hits the Broncos 41-23 last month, sending Tebow in a funk that included seven turnovers and a clip from the completion of 40 percent - and leading to implore Elway to "pull the trigger" in the playoffs.

Ever.

And unlike Elway, who lost his first start of the playoffs - the Steelers in the country in 1984 - Tebow is 1-0 in the playoffs.

"Simply the wrestling team” . A lot of resilience," said cornerback Champ Bailey. "In any adverse situation, we will find a way out of it. Everyone says that support for the playoffs, we're in. We have done something right along the way. We are in it. We won a game. Now, we have to go to try to win another. "

The Steelers (12-5) lost despite Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh meeting of injuries depleted a halftime deficit with 10 points two touchdowns in the last 10 minutes.

Pittsburgh called tail of the coin toss extra, and left face.

Tebow, who engineered five fourth-quarter comebacks and three victories in the Old Testament in the regular season, lost no time in finding Thomas in the middle with just his second pass on first down all night - and its completion in the first place.

Thomas also had a reception of 51 and 58 yards to set the second quarter after touchdowns Tebow lost his main target, Eric Decker, a badly injured knee to the left in the first half.

"They were the No. 1 defense and we are the No. 1 offense running the ball," said Thomas. "Therefore, I feel like I wanted to make a statement and stop the execution. I do not know if they forgot the passing game. The last couple of games we had, we should not pass the ball so big."

Therefore, the warning Elway .

"I feel like he went out and played confident," said Eddie Royal. "And I think that's what John was trying to say. Play the way we know how to play and Tim was that he was smart with the ball and really brought this crime today."

Note 125.6 passer Tebow was the highest in playoff history the Broncos.

"It proved to be a quarterback in the NFL, case closed," said McGahee. "They say they could not pitch. They said it would not be able to run the ball on them. We did that. I wonder what to say next week."

Mundy was playing in place of Ryan Clark, leader of the Steelers tackle who sat this one out due to a blood condition that is exacerbated at high altitude.

"We lost, and not because he did not play, we had very capable guys played well," said Clark, who was one of the Steelers, regardless of number or wounded. Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey was out, replaced by Doug Legursky, who had a bad pressure just before halftime that Pittsburgh moved out of field goal range.

On the first play of overtime, Thomas pulled Tebow high pass and raced down the wing by the Broncos, sending the crowd, including Elway, the Broncos Executive Vice President, in a frenzy in the field of Sports Authority , which swayed as the old Mile High Stadium back in the 1990s.

McGahee sells action game, building safety Troy Polamalu and others to the defense line of the race, leaving Thomas to the site in the pattern of crossing to take the plunge and turn the jets in the 80-yard score, the longest pass play like a pro Tebow.

"It was a bit surprising," said linebacker James Farrior Steelers. "But I think he has been working hard. It took a lot of criticism over recent weeks about his throwing motion, the passing game. As I said before, is a competitor. You keep trying for a boy, and a guy like him it is a tough competitor, which will come a time. "

Hines Ward called this defeat "and disappointing" as last year's loss to Green Bay in the Super Bowl.

"I've been to many good teams, thank God, and I felt this team was there with them," said Polamalu. "They were not able to stay healthy and maintain cohesion as we wanted."

Tebow completed 10 of 21 passes and Thomas caught four of them 204 meters Decker was injured after a hit by linebacker James Harrison.

Thomas, who missed training camp while recovering from a torn Achilles and the start of the season in dealing with a broken finger, it's strong in the afternoon, an average of 109 yards in the last six games.

But the Broncos top pick in 2010 - it takes three slots ahead of Tebow in the first round - had not done anything like this.

"It's amazing because I have not played explosive as I did in college for a long time," said Thomas.

Tebow threw two touchdown passes and ran 10 times for 50 yards and a touchdown.

"I think we executed a little better. We try to increase," he said. "We knew it was won or go home. The team wanted to fight. We wanted to play another game."

These two teams had played the first game of the regular season overtime each time the September 22, 1974, in Denver. Now, who played the first non-sudden playoff in the history of death? The new rules called for both teams get the ball in the extra period provided that no one touchdown either attack or defense.

Tebow took care of it in a hurry.

Making his first appearance in the playoffs after going 7-4 as a starter in Denver, Tebow edged Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl winner playing on a bad ankle, which fell to 10.4 in the playoffs.

Roethlisberger was 22 of 40 for 289 yards with one touchdown, one interception and five sacks. Tebow was not withdrawn after the defense in the league.

The Broncos broke a streak of three straight defeats that had many wondering if they were even worthy of the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, and kept the Steelers from their 34 playoff victory, which would have broken a tie with the Cowboys in their Most ever.

Tebow led Denver with 20 points in the second quarter - which had scored only 13 in the quarter in 11 starts - but a 20-6 halftime lead did not last long.

The receiver Mike Wallace had a 1-yard touchdown, Shaun Suisham kicked a short field goal and Jerricho Cotchery caught a pass 31 yards for a touchdown with 3:48 left in regulation to tie the game.

The Steelers were about to field goal range in the final minute of regulation, but the Broncos sacked Roethlisberger three times in that final drive, forcing a fumble recovered Roethlisberger.

"We're moving and had a shot," said Roethlisberger. "Somebody's got, I felt like a finger, with the ball and threw it out. After that, you're trying to pull a 70-yard Hail Mary, and that's hard."

Roethlisberger never got the ball like Tebow added to his growing list of victories impossible in a blink of an eye and a flick of the wrist.

"It gets a lot of criticism when things go wrong," said Clark, "but he played great today."

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Tim Tebow Leads Broncos Past Steelers After Giants Top Falcons On NFL Playoffs Day 2

Tim Tebow Leads Broncos Past Steelers After Giants Top Falcons On NFL Playoffs Day 2.DENVER - Tim Tebow related to Demaryius Thomas in a slide electrifying 80-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime and the Steelers defeated the Broncos 29-23 in the wild surprise of the AFC on Sunday.

Wild does not begin to describe. The work took 11 seconds and was the fastest to end extra time in the history of the NFL.

Thomas caught a great action game step by Denver 38, a stiff armed and Ryan Mundy Ike Taylor outrace the end zone. Tebow who seemed as surprised as everyone else, and one knee in a zone a gesture known as Tebowing. Then he hit his fist in triumph and took a victory lap.

Behind Tebow's 316 yards, the Broncos (9-8) heads to New England for a second round match against top-seeded Patriots on Saturday night.

The Steelers (12-5) lost despite Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh meeting of injuries depleted a halftime deficit with 10 points two touchdowns in the last 10 minutes.

Pittsburgh called tail of the coin toss extra, and left face. Tebow, who engineered five fourth-quarter comebacks and three victories in the Old Testament in the regular season, lost no time in finding Thomas to end the game.

Giants 24, Falcons 2

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (AP) - Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes and New York Times ran around Atlanta in the NFC wildcard game.

Manning, having his best professional season, associated with Hakeem Nicks for a score of 72 yards and Mario Manningham in 27 yards for the Giants (10-7) pulled away from the inept Falcons (10-7) in the second half.

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Drew Brees Throws For 466 Yards As Saints Rout Lions

Drew Brees Throws For 466 Yards As Saints Rout Lions .NEW ORLEANS - Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans pours on the point’s accumulated wins and rewriting the record books almost every time they play.

Things are Rollin 'on the river.

Brees led an unstoppable offense by throwing for 466 yards and three touchdowns, and New Orleans poured it into the second half for a 45-28 NFC wild-card victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday night.

New Orleans topped the qualifiers in total yards with 626, breaking the record set 49 years ago.

"We were pulling all the stops," Race said. "We play aggressive. We are not going to apologize for that. This gives the guys in the huddle a lot of confidence. We are not going to take the reins. It's the pedal to the medal. "

Brees hit on 33 of 43 passes while throwing for most yards in playoff game regulations. He highlighted his night with three finishes at least 40 meters.

"We focus on winning. We are not focused on construction sites and records," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "I am serious when I say that."

As usual, the quarterback has a lot of help from an offense that set a record for NFL yards from scrimmage this season (7474). The Saints (14-3) will travel to San Francisco (13-3) next Saturday for the second round of play

Matthew Stafford threw for 380 yards and three TDs for the Lions (10-7), who simply could not keep up their playoff appearance first time since the 1999 season. They have lost seven straight playoff games.

"It's a learning experience for the whole team. We will get better. We'll be back, "Lions coach Jim Schwartz." Obviously it hurts right now. "

All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson had 12 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns in his debut for Detroit in the playoffs, but that was not enough as the Saints defense responded with two fourth quarter interceptions by Jabari Greer .

The teams combined for 1,083 yards, tying an NFL playoff record set by Buffalo and Miami December 30, 1995.

Pierre Thomas rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown, while SPROLS added 51 yards and two scores and several other clutch parts.

Marques Colston overcame an early escape with seven catches for 120 yards, including one from 40 yards to set up a short TD catch Jimmy Graham.

Robert Meachem had four catches for 111 yards, including a score of 56 yards. Devery Henderson added a touchdown reception of 41 yards.

New Orleans has shown courage and got a little happiness to a decisive 14-play, 80-yard scoring in the fourth quarter . The Saints ran late SPROLS left on fourth and 40 at the Lions-2 and won three meters. Soon after, Brees pass "as he was challenged by Nick Fairley is passed through the hands of defensive back Aaron Berry.

Regret that Berry would make two plays later that SPROLS bolted 17 yards to make it 31-21.

Stafford tried to get some of that soon, throwing deep to Titus Young, but Greer ran under her and picked off. Four plays later, Brees spotted Meachem behind blown coverage for his time to score 38-21.

The Lions became only the second team visit each year to head to the break in the Superdome, where the Saints were undefeated in the regular season.

"So goes the half-time deficit, we just realized," Hey, just keep it down, one piece at a time, a record at a time, "Brees said," and I think we scored on each disk in the second half. I guess that's what you hope. "

New Orleans has won nine in a row together.

The Saints opened the second half by driving 78 yards to take their first lead over Brees '31-yard pass to Henderson. New Orleans, then widened their lead to 24-14 with a 92-yard drive that included what may have been a favorable place on the third down catch Colston to November 18. Later, Brees has converted a risky dive on the job, and the fourth one in New Orleans 38 to keep the drive before finding Colston for a 40-yard gain to the Detroit 3. Brees hit Graham for a score on the next play.

"It was fourth and inches and we felt we had a rhythm going," said Brees Obviously it was a gutsy call but we were called to do these types of calls. "

The Lions responded with a scoring drive 80 yards quickly identified by Stafford of 42 yards at the end of Johnson to November 2, setting up diving for the pylon Stafford on a bootleg that made from 24 to 21 at the end of third quarter.

Detroit may not have planned a much better start to its first playoff game since the '99 season.

Complete five of his first six throws for 70 yards, starting with a 22-yard completion to Johnson on the second play from scrimmage Stafford. A 10-yard strike to tight end Will Heller book gave the Lions a lead of 7-0.

New Orleans responded by quickly drive the territory of the Lions, but Colston was stripped by Stephen Tulloch on line 18 yards and Justin During recovered. It was a blunder often lost to the Saints, who had a low and NFL franchise record low in five during the regular season.

New Orleans found the end zone on its next drive to tie it at 7, but Stafford led the Lions back downfield, reaching Johnson in the back of the end zone for a score of 13 yards.

The Saints then searched a second time in the territory of Detroit when Brees was robbed just before started by defensive end Willie Young and the ball squirted Durant seconds for his recovery. Wanted in return, but the game has been inexplicably blown dead. What would have a hit been back instead of became a failed drive.

The Saints thought they had tied the game when the capture Colston in the back of the end zone was ruled a touchdown, but was overturned on replay and New Orleans liquidation meant to settling on John Kasay field 24 yards and a deficit of from 14 to 10 part-time.

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