Foxboro, MA (Best E Casino) - Laurence Maroney ran for 122 yards and a touchdown as New England disposed of a banged-up San Diego team, 21-12, in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. With the win, the Pats became the first 18-0 team in NFL history and are now just one step away from completing the second perfect season in the Super Bowl era. The 1972 Miami Dolphins finished their perfect season at 17-0. Tom Brady completed 22-of-33 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions for New England, which won its fourth AFC title in seven years and moved on to face the New York Giants, who defeated Green Bay, 23-20, in overtime, in Super Bowl XLII set for February 3 in Glendale, Arizona. Wes Welker caught seven passes for 56 yards and a TD, and Kevin Faulk had eight receptions for 82 yards out of the backfield. The Chargers (13-6), who were playing in their first AFC title game since the 1994 season, hung tough despite the fact three key playmakers -- quarterback Philip Rivers, running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates -- were nursing significant injuries. Tomlinson, who was hampered by a balky left knee, left after carrying the ball just two times for five yards on the team's first drive but Rivers, who had a sprained knee, and Gates, who was bogged down with a dislocated toe, both played admirably for San Diego. Rivers finished 19-of-37 for 211 yards and two interceptions, while Gates caught two balls for 17 yards. Nate Kaeding had four field goals for the Chargers, while Vincent Jackson finished with six receptions for 93 yards and Chris Chambers added seven catches for 90 yards.

Final Score: NY Giants 23, Green Bay 20 (OT)

Green Bay, WI (Best E Casino) - Lawrence Tynes' 47-yard field goal with 12:25 left in overtime lifted the New York Giants over the Green Bay Packers, 23-20, in the NFC Championship Game at frigid Lambeau Field. Tynes had a chance to win it in regulation but he badly hooked a 36-yard attempt as time expired. The Packers (14-4) won the toss in the extra period but any excitement for the home team was quickly tempered when Brett Favre tried to hit Donald Driver on an out pattern. The ball was woefully underthrown and Corey Webster picked it off at the Green Bay 43. New York (13-6) was unable to move the ball and Tynes was given a second opportunity to win it with the 47-yarder. This time, the kick was perfect and split the uprights, lifting the Giants to Super Bowl XLII and a date with the New England Patriots. Eli Manning completed 21-of-40 passes for 254 yards in the game for the Giants, who won their 10th straight road game and captured their first NFC championship in seven years. Plaxico Burress had 11 receptions for 154 yards, while Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw each rushed for a touchdown. Favre connected on 19-of-35 passes for 236 yards with two TDs and two interceptions for the Packers, who were trying to win their first conference title in 11 years. Donald Driver had five receptions for 141 yards and a score. The temperature was minus-one at game time with a wind chill of minus-23, making it the third coldest game on record in NFL history. The contest trailed the famed "Ice Bowl" in 1967 at Lambeau Field, when it was minus-13 with a wind chill of 48 below as the Packers won the NFL Championship by edging the Dallas Cowboys, and the 1981 AFC Championship Game in Cincinnati, where the Bengals drubbed the San Diego Chargers in minus-nine degree temps and a wind chill of 59 below.