Patriots roll into Superbowl
21/01/2008 3:07 PM
to convert the turnover as Brady hit Jabar Gaffney over the middle for a 12-yard scoring pass and a 14-6 lead with 3:51 left in the half.
Ellis Hobbs intercepted Rivers on the next possession but the Chargers' defence held firm to set up Kaeding's third field goal.
Lawrence Tynes, meanwhile, kicked a 47-yard field goal 2:35 into overtime to send the New York Giants to the Super Bowl after they beat the Green Bay Packers 23-20 in the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field.
In a thrilling encounter that swung back and forth, Tynes converted the winning kick after missing two previous opportunities in normal time to set up a February 3 showdown with the New England Patriots in Arizona.
Green Bay had led 10-6 at half-time as quarterback Brett Favre connected with wide receiver Donald Driver for a 90-yard touchdown after Tynes' two field goals had put the Giants 6-0 up.
Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw drove in third-quarter scores for the Giants while Favre found Donald Lee for a 12-yard touchdown for Green Bay.
Mason Crosby tied the game with a 37-yard field goal for the home side with 11:46 left in the fourth before opposite number Tynes struck a 43-yard effort left of the posts with 6:53 remaining.
Tynes had a chance to win the game with four seconds left in normal time but pulled his kick horribly to the left before making it third time lucky in overtime.