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Lawrence Tynes kicks the game-winning field goal for the New York Giants in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 22, 2012 in San Francisco, California.

All season long, the San Francisco 49ers exceeded the pundits' expectations, but not their fans' hopes.

Until Sunday.

The Niners lost the National Football Conference Championship game to the New York Giants in overtime, 20-17, in a contest marked by wind, rain, tough defense, two crucial special teams' mistakes, and a terrifying collision.

It was only the fourth conference championship game to go to overtime.

The loss ended the Niners' bid to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995. The team made the playoffs this year for the first time since 2003, thanks in part to a new coach, Jim Harbaugh, who seemed to instill some much-needed confidence in quarterback Alex Smith.

Smith's 73-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis in the first quarter gave the Niners the early lead on Sunday, but the Giants tied the game in the second quarter, on a 6-yard pass from Eli Manning to Bear Pascoe. The Giants took the lead with two seconds left, on a field goal from kicker Lawrence Tynes.

The Niners scored again in the third quarter, on a 28-yard pass from Smith to Davis, the tight end's second catch of the day.

But less than five minutes later, the cheering crowds at Candlestick Park suddenly went quiet. Two Niners' defenders, Dashon Goldson and Terrell Brown, collided trying to intercept a Manning pass. For several minutes, Brown lay on the ground, barely moving, as the Niners' medical staff and Harbaugh tried to determine the extent of his injuries, and anxious players and fans looked on.

Brown eventually stood up and walked off the field, assisted by the medical staff. He did not return to the game.

On the next play, the Niners' punt returner, Kyle Williams, made a crucial mistake, resulting in the first turnover of the game. Williams was replacing the team's starting punt returner, Ted Ginn Jr., who injured his knee during last week's divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.

Williams, unable to field a punt from Steve Weatherford, tried to get out of the way of the ball, but it hit him on his leg, allowing the Giants to recover on the Niners' 29-yard-line.

Six plays later, Manning threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mario Manningham, putting the Giants ahead, 17-14.

But three minutes later, the Niners struck back, with a 25-yard field goal from place kicker David Akers.

The Niners and the Giants each had two more chances to win the game in the fourth quarter, but neither team could break the 17-17 deadlock before time ran out in regulation.

Neither team could score during their first possessions in overtime, but when the Giants punted after their second possession, Williams, the Niners returner, fumbled the ball, and the Giants recovered at San Francisco's 24-yard line.

Five plays later, Tynes kicked a 31-yard field goal, sending the Giants to the Super Bowl.

The Giants will play the New England Patriots, who beat the Baltimore Ravens earlier Sunday, 23-20.

The Ravens' coach is Harbaugh's brother, John.