LEADING OFF

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Photograph by Peter Read Miller

THE BEST OF TYNES After Lawrence Tynes (9) kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime to give the Giants a 20--17 win over the 49ers in the NFC title game in San Francisco on Sunday, he joined holder Steve Weatherford (5) and their teammates in exulting over the prospect of a Super Bowl rematch with the Patriots (page 32).

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Photograph by Al Tielemans

HERE'S HOW THEY STACK UP Ravens tight end Ed Dickson was engulfed by Patriots defenders after he caught a 16-yard pass from Joe Flacco in the fourth quarter of the AFC title game in Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday. The Patriots' 23--20 victory will send them to their seventh Super Bowl, in Indianapolis on Feb. 5.

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Photograph by Matt Cashore/US Presswire

GREEN WAVE Notre Dame students poured onto the court in South Bend last Saturday after the Fighting Irish upset top-ranked Syracuse 67--58. It was the first loss for the Orange (20--1), who slipped to No. 3 in the AP poll after going down to Notre Dame (12--8).