GREEN BAY -- Brett Favre did the one thing the Green Bay Packers couldn't afford for their legendary quarterback to do. Twice.

The first time, he got away with it. The second, he did not, and it cost his team a trip to Super Bowl XLII.

Favre's interception to Corey Webster on the second play of overtime effectively ended the Packers' dream season, setting up Lawrence Tynes' winning 47-yard field goal four plays later to give the New York Giants a 23-20 victory in Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field.

So instead of Favre ending his magnificent renaissance year at the third Super Bowl of his career, he and the Packers are headed home. And before he contemplates whether to return for an 18th NFL season, Favre is left wonder what might've been had he connected with Donald Driver -- instead of Webster -- on a throw toward the Packers' sideline on his first pass of OT.

"I didn't think it would come down to that situation. I really thought we would put it away earlier than that," said Favre, who finished having completed 19 of 35 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, for a 70.7 rating.

"That situation presented itself, (and) I didn't rise up to the occasion like I have in the past. I expect more out of myself. I know it's part of the game, (but) I'd say it's very disappointing."

Favre's first mistake came with the Packers trailing 20-17 with 14 minutes left in regulation. Favre, who'd just hit Driver for a 20-yard gain to the Giants' 31-yard line, rolled right to avoid the rush and find an open receiver.

He saw Koren Robinson flash, but his ill-advised throw was well off-target and intercepted by R.W. McQuarters inside the Giants' 15. But as McQuarters took off on the return, running back Ryan Grant hit him and forced a fumble. Right tackle Mark Tauscher recovered at the Giants' 19. Four plays later, Mason Crosby's 37-yard field goal tied the game at 20.

"I think there were a couple opportunities (where) he tried to take it with tight spots or maybe didn't make (the right read on) the coverage," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

But while Favre's first interception didn't cost him, the second did. On the Packers ' second play of overtime, Driver lined up to the right and ran an out toward the Packers' sideline. Webster broke on the throw and stepped in front of it at the Packers' 43-yard line, returning it 9 yards. The Giants gained just 5 yards on their next three plays, but it was plenty to set up Tynes' kick.

"I just didn't throw it outside enough," said Favre, who was flawless in last week's divisional playoff win over Seattle (three touchdowns, no interceptions) but now has thrown 28 career interceptions in 22 playoff games. "It was what we call a 'shake' route. Donald slipped (Webster) more like an out route, which was fine. I just didn't get it out far enough. It's too bad."

Said Giants defensive end Michael Strahan: "You can't look at it and say Brett Favre lost that game for them. Brett Favre did what's worked for them all season. And in this case, Corey Webster made a great play."