Wonder what the field conditions will be at game time. RIP Joe Patterno

OK, all you NFL experts, final score?

Giants over 49ers, 24-13. Whichever front four establishes itself will win.

Home field advantage the difference: San Francisco wins 27-24.

I say a Matt Bahr field goal decides this! Or was it a Jim Burt sack?

I agree this will be close and decided in the 4th quarter. I'd be concerned about Eli's stomach issues. If this were a horse race, I'd be betting against the colt who was upchucking before the big race.

This game's a total toss-up, but I think the key will be San Francisco's running attack. The Giants' biggest weakness is in their linebacker core (and their tackling in general). If the front four loses the battle, I can see the 49ers getting big gains after contact. With that in mind, I'm predicting a 49ers win.

Rain may be a factor for today's game.

Beware the kicker...

Live blog starts at 6:30 p.m. We'll give you some time to recover from the finish of the AFC game!

31-28 49ers. Where I do I collect the winnings?

Raining at Candlestick Park

As a Patriots fan, I am so beyond relieved they escaped over the Ravens in the AFC title game despite four turnovers. If they play like that against the 49ers or Giants in two weeks they will be in serious trouble. Are Giant fans excited for the chance to get another crack at the Pats or would you rather the Ravens have won?

Good question, Andrew I'll let our readers answer to turn it back to you. Would you like a chance to avenge Supe XLII? or play 49ers?

Officially 6:30 p.m.! Welcome to our live blog of the NFC title game!

@Edward: I think both the 49ers or Giants would give the Pats fits, esp. defensively, but I'd like their chances better against San Fransisco mainly because Eli Manning is a much more accomplished quarterback than Alex Smith.

Also, How much of a factor will Eli Manning's flu be?

Why does gray, foggy and dreary work so well for San Francisco?

I love Kristen Chenoweth. Great talent.

You can really see wind whip up those flags!

So this is Ali-Foreman?

Wind in Meadowlands can be tricky too. Justin. I'm interested in how rain will impact game.

49ers to start on offense.

SF ground game working early.

Injured Niner. Does everyone buy the theory that the Giants pass rush is better than the Saints and Alex Smith will have more trouble today?

Giants D holds.

Kristen Chenoweth did a great job with the national anthem.

OK We've got wind, rain and the flu. Get to work Eli.

Let's go Eli!

As an aside any truth to the rumor that the Jets are getting rid of Mark Sanchez andvPeyton is taking his place?

I have to say that Chenoweth might have worked better in New England. Don't people say "Wicked" more often up there?

Wet ball on Eli's first pass?

Is Eli wearing a glove? My Dad isn't happy with that?

SHould they have dropped flag?

First down! Yay!

Cruz over the middle? Don't get that guy hurt...

Danielle, I don't think we'll know Colts plans for Peyton until after Super Bowl.

This is the time of the year you go over the middle.

Giants convert on 3rd down again.

Wrong pattern?

Fumble! Appears NY recovered.

That was close!

Can't convert on third-and-long all day. Need to either get the running game going or abandon it.

My wife is once again saying awful things about Eli's mobility just like last week!

Which NFL pregame will Rob Lowe be on if he's right? I picture him on Fox>

Pass batted down.

Beautiful pass by Alex Smith TD 49ers.

Damn! I guess Eli and company need to be underdogs as motivation

TD being reviewed

Antrel Rolle burned again. A frequent occurrence.

Last year's Giants would roll over after getting burned like that. We'll see what happens today.

Was he out of bounds?

On a positive note the Giants tend to get better as the game goes on. No other team surges in the 4th quarter the way they do!

There are a handful of TEs in the NFL that are uncoverable. Vernon Davis is one of them.

Was that a cop out by officials or a good call?

Gronk is another.

Jason. They agree with you in New Orleans.

In any event, SF leads 7-0.

I can't believe they made a sequel to the Clash of the Titans!! Liam Neeson is never going to have time to do the Lincoln biopic!

Gronk's a good one!

Now, a 73-yard TD pass to Cruz?

Points here would help the Giants a lot. #obviousstatements

Is nix hurt?

Another 3rd down conversion for NY.

Nicks is nicked up.

Nicks heads to locker room

Nicks looks seriously hurt. I would be surprised if he was back at all. Fortunately the Giants have a lot of weapons at wide receiver.

Very Nice Joseph!

Get Nicks some cortisone! I hope it's not a dislocated shoulder.

A little love to Hynoski. How about that!

Going for it!

Go for it?

Another first-down run?

Break out the stick thingies!

He's got it.

No! Bad spot!

Ouch! That hurt!

Have to go for it there. Out of Tynes' range and a punt probably only nets you 15 yards anyway.

No dice! 49ers ball.

Beginning to look like it's gonna be a long night.

Looks like I was wrong about Nicks. Pam Oliver just said his return is probable.

Nicks is not nixed.

More rain.

Glad to see Nicks back

Would the Giants be playing better if they took the gloves off?

Cruuuuz!

Great Cruz catch

Cruz ran a great wheel route there. Looked like Rogers was either in man coverage or a short zone. Either way Cruz beat him easily.

Danielle, if players are comfortable in gloves they should wear them.

49ers really do tackle well. But in today's NFL that not a difficult distinction.

An injured center can cause turnovers!

Unless those are boos, it sounds like there are a lot of Giants fans at Candlestick.

Another big 3rd down conversion and another big catch by Cruz!

Nicks for six?

Cruz again for first doen

Nicks still looks like he's hurting in the huddle.

We need 7 here

Getting ready to merengue

OK what's the play here?

Victor Cruz is looking good!

Don't be surprised if Eli runs it in on a broken pass play—or comes close trying.

Fiddlesticks Nicks!

Yes

Yes!

TD GIANTS!

Thumbs up to whoever had Bear Pascoe catching the Giants' first TD today. Great pump fake by Eli.

Extra point scary but game tied at 7-7.

Giants tied it! Whoo Hoo!!!!!!!

Giants have to get running game going

Pretty pass by Smith until you saw where receiver was.

Commentators are running out of things to say if they're talking about the duties of the officials to keep the football dry.

Anybody know how to refresh my iPhone browser?

C'mon Pam, what can be more fun than talking about watching water dry!

A little trouble after Niner 1st down.

I think the Giants got away with one there. Boley removed the facemask of a 49er lineman. Should've been coincidental penalties.

Start shadowing Smith.

Pierre-Paul saves 1st down!

What a bogus call! Invalid fair catch?!? Nonsense!

So glad they did not convert on 4th down!!!!

OK let's see if Giants capitalize!

Let's hear it for Jersey's own Victor Cruz!!!

Eli seems to have found his rhythm here.

Looks like the Giants are looking to screen passes and short routes to move the ball on first down. Smart, considering the run defense they're up against.

Time for the Giants defense to get to work and hold the 49ers until we get to half time.

Is Andrew still here? He saw Cruz play in college!

I guess we'll have to wait for the second half for a 73-yard TD pass to Cruz.

And just as I say that, Manning is sacked!

That's a good start for the defense.

Cruz's last college game with UMass was actually at Hofstra on Nov. 21, 2009. He had 11 catches in that game in what ended up being Hofstra's final football game before the program was discontinued two weeks later. I saw him in that game and never would have envisioned him being the star he is today.

two minute warning.

I remember Colston's last game! The 49ers won on a last second TD! (THat's not what you're talking about is it?)

Should Giants try to score here?

Who does everyone like in the Chelsea Man. U. game?

Saints star wide receiver Marquis Colston is one of four Hofstra players currently NFL to go along with Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington, Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen and Steelers offensive tackle Willie Colon.

Need a few more yards for a FG attempt.

For those of you just joining us Hofstra talk has dominated the discussion of the NFC title game.

A little confused that the Giants keep going over the middle here without a timeout. Maybe they head for the sidelines now. Maybe they also know that the 49ers have great cover corners.

It's not 73 yards but Cruz comes up big again.

Although, you can't argue against getting the ball to Cruz over and over here.

Delay of game--shades of Eli of years past.

Need a spike!

Cruz is cruisin'.

Got it 6 seconds left!

Giants try for FG.

The spirit of Hofstra's football program lives on from its alumni serving it proudly in the NFL.

It's good! Giants lead 10 -7.

Lawrence Tynes reminding everyone that he is not named Billy Cundiff. At least the Giants did the courtesy of stopping the clock for him though.

Field goal!!! TD would have been nice but a lead is a lead.

And Giants get the ball on the other side of the half.

If anyone's interested, the U.S. women's soccer team is winning 3-0 over Guatemala in an Olympic qualifying match.

And halftime score is also Giants 10 49ers 7.

One half away from an all Northeast Super Bowl...

So how does everyone like Brad Paisley?

Ed-are you referring to the country music star? And if so, why?

For the record, there are no NYU alumni playing in any American professional sport. Hard to get players in the NFL when you don't have a football team.

Justin thanks for providing Olympic news. I still have very fond memories of being in Atlanta for the 1996 games.

I am Danielle. He will be the halftime entertainment right before NY gets 2nd half kickoff! See everything in a nice neat bow!

Who receives in the second half? The Giants?(I hope)

For the record, we have a Fordham man taking snaps for the Arizona Cardinals!

Ed when was the last time a Firdham player made it into the NFL?

Terry Bradshaw is beginning to look like Ben Franklin.

John Skelton the QB of AZ Cardinals is a Fordham man.

Ed-I typed that question before your response about the Arizona Cardinals posted. As an aside I still despise Bill Bellicheck

Will we get news or Paisley?

Wow! A Fordham grad as as QB for an NFL team? Really impressive.

What about that Giants fans? Do you hate Bill Belicheck? Or did you want to avenge Supe XXXV?

D'oh! News!

Country music gets no respect in NYC.

Ok what's with wearing tank tops in January?

Calling the AZ Cardinals an NFL team might be a stretch Danielle.

Well with the explosion of ITunes and Sirius XM does anyone even listen to regular radio stations anymore.

I didn't even pay attention to them this year. I guess they had a bad season?

According to Michael Signora, the NFL Vice President of Football Communications, the last player to catch 8 passes for 125 yards in one half of an NFC Championship Game was Ike Hilliard, 11 years ago. If you remember, the Giants won that game 41-0. https://twitter.com/#!/NFLfootballinfo/status/161255467048374272

Giants get ball to start 2nd half.

That ball Bradshaw dropped hung up there for days.

Niners get ball

Is it me, or have the Giants not used Jacobs much today?

Why isn't Eli using Brandon Jacobs more?

Justin, great minds think alike!!!

Question: It's raining sideways, windy, cold: How is Jimmy Johnson's hair still perfect?

Let's go Giants defense!!

Crunch!

Yay Justin Tuck and JPP!!

Penalty makes it real tough for SF.

That last call hurt!

Not a smart penalty from Ross there. I think he thought he was going to get beat deep.

Great run by Hunter!

What a relief! Hope SF punts

Maybe another bad Giants penalty here.

Still 4th down

What's with these unnecessary and potentially costly penalties that the Giants are accumulating?

On to the important questions: Who's excited for Ghost Rider 2 in 3D?

Ok, what's with the Ghost Rider sequel???

There's Jacobs.

Back to Giants talk. Let's see if Eli can convert here.

Quick trivia question: what number did Mark Bavaro wear?

89!

Eli missed the blitz there. Nicks was well covered anyway. 49ers winning the field position battle at the moment.

By the way, I can't stress enough how much of an upgrade Steve Weatherford is over Matt Dodge. Dodge might have been the worst punter in NFL history.

Are bad Giants penalties and Ghost Rider Sequels related? Discuss.

I would say both are avoidable. I like Nic Cage the actor not Nic Cage the caricature.

Here's hoping the Giants' pass rushers earn their money on this drive.

Giants D needs to come up big. You're right Joseph.

Damn!

Uncoverable!

TD 49ers! Smith to Davis!

Alex Smith sure looked good on that drive. Giants' back seven nowhere to be found.

Let's go Giants!!!! Don't let this slip away!!!

That was a beautiful TD! I don't know. I think the Giants had a momentum going but this one's a tough one to call.

San Francisco now leads 14-10.

Is NY in trouble everyone?

How many times can Denzel Washington play the bad cop from Training Day? Maybe it's time for another Broadway run.

Too much time to go.

Giants to start at their 20. This will be world's longest TV timeout.

Denzel went to Fordham, so he could be the Arizona Cardinals' QB next year,

VERY BAD sign for Giants. My wife just fell asleep on couch.

Giants are not playing to their strength, which is the long ball.

No way.

Eli what was up with that pass to no one?

Let's see them go long. But maybe Eli is not getting the looks he needs.

Manning sacked on 3rd down! Giants will have to punt.

That was bad. Eli needs to snap out of it and get it together.

SF will have the ball at their 21.

I think this drive is vital. If the Giants don't stop them from scoring position, it could be trouble because the offense is stalling. They have no game going on offense now.

The Giants need to pour it on NOW

Agreed everyone.

Just keep it to within a touchdown and they may still pull it out in the final minutes.

Giants needed that stop. Let's see what they can do with better field position.

Nice. It was important that they stopped any 49ers momentum.

Punt returns always make me nervous. I always have nightmares of R.W. McQuarters fumbling twice in the NFC Championship Game four years ago.

Giants return team does nothing. Ever. Do they ever go more than 5 yards on a punt?

Come on. Throw the ball down field!

Big 3rd down here.

I don't think they are getting any good looks downfield. Hard to know.

That Really should have been intercepted.

Giants hold them. Now let's see how Offense does.

Giants have no running game and they can't throw the ball long, which is their strength. They are doing nothing now. It's all on the D.

Hope Brown is OK that was a hard hit.

Another 3 and out?? I guess we have to wait for the 4th quarter for the Giants to pull it all together

This looks like the opposite of the Giants of recent times. Most of their ball movement is on first down instead of third. Not a good sign.

The way he feel it looks like he got knocked out.

He was definitely knocked out on that. He wasn't moving at all. I just hope it isn't a spinal cord injury.

Wow!

He's up!

After Giants penalty, end of 3rd quarter 49ers 14 Giants 10.

Now we're seeing how effective the 49ers can be moving the football. And we're also seeing that the Giants are frustrated. Not a good recipe.

Nice run by Gore.

Giants need to come up with a big play or it can slip away.

Very big 3rd down again.

If I'm the 49ers, I punt here. Giants aren't moving the ball at all. Pin them deep.

Stopped.

That was a BAD penalty. This will hurt

Let's go Giants!!!

Time to wake up the ghosts. Jim Burt and Dave Meggett where are you?

Um..Actually Dave Meggett is in jail.

Thanks for the info about Bavaro's number. Trivia question number 2: was Phil McConkney's number 80 or 81?

The Giants' offensive line has fallen apart.

Not again another sack!!! Houston I hate to say it but I think we have a problem

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/11/10/dave-meggett-former-nfl-star-sentenced-to-30-years-in-rape-cas/

Another offensive failure for Eli.

MCConkey was 80.

Was that a good call or not?

Did 49er touch ball?

Throw the red flag, Tom!

Thanks Ed.

This may be biggest replay challenge of NFL season.

Never mind to my last point. You can't advance a kick.

Awesome!!!!!

Giants Ball!

Is this the big play I was looking for?

Last game decided by a foot. This one by a knee?

Big break or not, the Giants' offensive line is still out of it.

Nice, Nicks!

I guess Nicks is healthy.

Plenty of time in this game. Plenty.

Yet another bad Giants penalty.

The 49ers defense is the best one the Giants have faced in a while, and it's clear that Eli is not used to having to rush throws a little. But give credit to the 49ers - they're covering all of the Giants receivers and they're out-working the offensive line.

Wahoooo!

TD Giants!!!!!!!!!!

Still, a lot of time on the clock.

And just as I say that, Mario Manningham makes a HUGE play. Giants cash in on the mistake.

Manning to Manningham!

TOUCHDOWN!!!!! Fantastic!!!

Giants now lead 17-14

I smell a Super Bowl rematch ...

Just to emphasize Joe's point about there being so much time left, the 49ers-Saints game last week had four lead changes in the final 4:02.

Feels like this is anyone's game.

Giants' pass rush! Hello! Where are you when your team needs you most?

Are we going to see a lot of lead changes like last week's 49ers game?

Who is the Giants' long snapper? :)

Looks like Giants have another penalty .

Where's Smith's shadow? Did they watch the Saints game last week?

Big run by Alex Smith

Hold them to three points!

Get ready for a wild ride.

Again, here comes the 49ers' rushing attack. So much space past the front four.

Another horrible penalty!!! Snap out of it!!!

Giants didn't bite on Smith fake.

That fake by Alex Smith was the most unique fake I think I've ever seen.

OK, three points!

This would be a good time for a clock-kiliing drive.

Will we see it now? That long TD pass to Cruz? Or will the Giants drive the ball methodically down the field and run the clock down?

Akers missed a 23-yard FG once at Giants Stadium.

May be most important play for Giants.

Game tied ay 17-17.

Completes but short of 1st down!

Or they can go three-and-out instead. I think the secondary is in Eli's head.

Let!s go Giants! No more costly penalties!!!

Let's go D.

I think Joe has a better tie than Troy tonight.

Anyone feeling tense here?

Defense!!!!

Huge Sack!

Here is where Eli shines.

Did you get the feeling he hesitated too much on punt return?

Manning sacked!

Kiwanuka!

Exhale

Lucky for Giants the whistle blew.

Now the Giants are certainly in trouble. Probably have to go over the middle here to make the 49ers burn a timeout.

Now the nail biting begins

Eli's been off today. Needed that throw to be a little bit better.

That's what they did, in the middle but incomplete.

Giants rush is sowing up here.

OK, the pass rush is constant now. Smith is always on the run now.

0-10 on 3rd downs. Now what?

49ers 0 for 10 on third today.

A stop here would be huge.

0-11

Incomplete!

Tynes!

Alex Smith looked like last year's Alex Smith on that possession.

I don't understand why they got away from the run.

Here we go!

Remember, Tynes missed one at Lambeau in the 08 game at the end of regulation. He missed two in that fourth quarter.

Cruz falls down!

Manning hits Bradshaw for big completion.

Yes, throw the ball downfield like you've done all season.

I hope the Giants have a good long snapper.

Zak DeOssie I believe.

Heck of a try Victor.

Shades of Tyree...

It's all about Bradshaw, but they need to get into field goal range in nasty weather.

17 seconds is a long time with three timeouts.

Niners can get into FG range before clock hits 00

First timeout

Hail Mary time.

This will be the longest 12 seconds ever

Now the longest 4 seconds ever

OT

OT!!!

Overtime!

Heads or tails?

Fun fact: first third-down conversion of the day from the 49ers on the last play of regulation.

Game tied at 17-17 in OT

Tails and GIants ball.

Real hard rain.

Giants won the toss!!!

In case anyone was thinking about it, the Giants did not win the 2008 NFC Championship game on the first possession. Favre threw an interception to Corey Webster before they kicked the field goal.

OK TD: Giants win; Safety 49ers win; FG game continues.

Why did they change the rules for OT in the playoffs? What's wrong with pure sudden death as opposed to these "both teams possessing the ball" rules?

Eli and Giants line up.

Nick I hate to blame it on Brett Favre but change came ater Saints won NFC title in OT and Favre never got ball in extra period.

Another big 3rd down

Not a good call on third down there.

Incomplete. From here on in, it's sudden death. First score wins it.

Giants defense needs to hold them

Nice run by Hynoski.

49ers can play for the field goal to win now. Don't be surprised to see them run.

I think 49s Oline is falling apart.

Pierre Paul stuffs run.

4th down!

The 49ers O-line can't stop the pass rush or block on the run. Nothing doing now.

We might do this back-and-forth all day.

Good field position for Giants.

Again they're playing for Field goals now. Giants close.

Huge First down!

That short pass didn't work.

Timeout 49ers. Giants fans how are you feeling?

Bradshaw has come up big in the second half...

I think the Giants are in a good position to win now. Even if they end up punting her and the 49ers have to start from their 20 or less, they're offense looks like it's spent. I don't think the 49ers are going to move the ball much. It's just how they've looked the past few possessions.

Now Niners make bad penalty.

Bad pass by Eli as he's hit.

You cannot give up a sack there.

Down goes Fraiser!

BIG SF Sack on Maning!

Giants need to pin them with punt.

49ers fumble GIANTS BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You knew it was going to take something like that. You just knew.

Game over.

WOW!

So much for the 49ers superior special teams.

But we know from earlier today even easy field goals are missed.

Long break huh?

American Idol. Coming up at approximately 1 a.m.

*Frazier*

Nothing is guaranteed. Billy Cundiff proved that to us today.

Bradshaw again. Do you run play in middle and kick?

OK here we go.....

penalty flag

Delay of game moves ball back.

OK here we go again....

Nice run to move it closer.

Here we go a 3rd time!

GIANTS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20 to 17 in OT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd kick now!

Both Harbaughs lose today.

Scary kick we have a Super Bowl XLII rematch!

Thoughts on Super Bowl?

2012 supper bowl winner

Now the freeze time out.

Special teams was the MVP tonight...

YES!

Agreed Jason!

How fantastic!!! Bring on New England!!!!

Who is the MVP of this game?