Giant Football Blog

Eli, monster defense power Giants to shocking Super Bowl victory

The Giants had the perfect answer for the suddenly imperfect Patriots: a big, bad defense and an improbable comeback led by their own Mr. Cool quarterback, Eli Manning. In one of football's biggest shockers, New York shattered New England's unbeaten season as Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl. Sunday's 17-14 win was the Giants' 11th straight on the road, and the first time the Patriots tasted defeat in more than a year.

It was the most bitter of losses, too, because New England (18-1) was one play from winning, but its defense couldn't stop a 12-play, 83-yard drive that featured a spectacular leaping catch by David Tyree, who scored New York's first touchdown. Continue

Giants beat hated Cowboys, 21-17

Tony Romo can go wherever he wants with Jessica Simpson now. Eli Manning and the New York Giants knocked him and the Dallas Cowboys into the offseason Sunday.Having to wait out long, slow drives by Dallas, Manning made his few chances count, throwing two touchdown passes to Amani Toomer and getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Brandon Jacobs for a 21-17 victory that put New York into the NFC championship game for the first time since the 2000 season.

Cornerback R.W. McQuarters intercepted a pass into the end zone with 9 seconds left, ending the Cowboys' final drive and marking Romo's second straight last-minute goof to cost Dallas a playoff game. His flubbed hold of a short field goal in Seattle ended the Cowboys' season last year. Continue

Giants beat Bucs, 24-14

The Giants' rousing road show powered through Tampa Bay. Now it heads to the only place where it flopped: Dallas. The Giants moved to 8-1 away from home with a dominating 24-14 NFC-wild-card playoff victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. New York has won every road game since falling in its season opener against the Cowboys, and it gets a chance to diminish that blemish in a much bigger matchup next Sunday, with the winner going to the conference title game.

As for concerns the Giants (11-6) left too much of themselves on the field in futilely trying to stop New England's perfect season on Dec. 29, well, forget it. After a lackluster first quarter, New York bullied the NFC South champions, who lost three of their last four regular-season games, including the final two when coach Jon Gruden rested many starters. Continue

Patriots rally past Giants to finish 16-0

Perfectly infuriating? Maybe. But there is no denying the Patriots their due after they took everything the Giants could throw at them last night at the Meadowlands. Relentlessly battling back from their largest deficit of the season with 22 straight points, the Pats became the first NFL team to post a 16-0 season by beating the Giants, 38-35, and now will embark on the playoffs, where they can surpass the 1972 Dolphins' 17-0 Super Bowl season. Satisfied? For the first time this year, yes. Even taskmaster Bill Belichick seemed to exhale.

"That was some way to finish the season," he said. "It's real exciting to be part of this football team. They stepped it up. They came through like they have all year. Now's the time to take a day or two to take some time and appreciate what this team has done. Pretty soon, we're going to have to turn the page and move on, but I'm happy for the players." Continue

Giants take a 'Skin dive

With the Giants seemingly all but assured of a playoff berth, Tom Coughlin last week refused to answer any questions about that impending achievement. If his team doesn't shape up, Coughlin might be forced to deal with inquiries as to how the Giants played their way out of the playoffs. "For all the things we did have at stake I just don't think that was our best," Coughlin said last night.

Continuing their confounding trend of saving their lousiest performances for their own paying customers, the Giants looked nothing like a playoff-worthy outfit as they were thoroughly outplayed by the Redskins in a 22-10 loss at Giants Stadium that featured more despicable play by Eli Manning. Continue

Giants kick David Akers, Eagles aside

The Giants had come from behind on the road for the second straight week, and once again were barely hanging on. They felt good, though, when the Eagles' David Akers trotted out to attempt a potential game-tying 57-yard field goal. Brandon Jacobs thought, "He had no shot whatsoever." Many of his Giants teammates felt the same ... until they looked up and watched the kick.

It was long enough and was straight enough to give the Giants a few more breathless seconds, but in the end it hooked just enough to give them a huge sigh of relief. And when Akers' shot bounced off the right goalpost and harmlessly away with one second remaining, the Giants were able to celebrate their escape from Philly with a 16-13 victory. Continue

Giants Bear-ly awaken in time

Eli Manning was leading the Giants to ruin. Then he led them to victory. A stunning, improbable victory the Giants needed almost as badly as Manning did. "It wasn't the prettiest . . . at times it was flat-our ugly," Manning said after somehow halting the uproar swirling around him. "But it was sweet."

He had thrown two interceptions and lost the ball once on a self-inflicted fumble as the Giants' season was heading down a slippery slope. Based largely on Manning's failings, the Giants trailed virtually all afternoon in the cold, wet and wind, mired in offensive stagnation. They were down 16-7 in the fourth quarter before Manning shook off the demons that have bedeviled him the past few weeks. Continue

Eli Manning throws four interceptions as Vikings pound Giants, 41-17

The Minnesota Vikings showed Peyton Manning how bad little brother Eli can be. With older brother Peyton watching in the stands, Darren Sharper, Dwight Smith and Chad Greenway picked off passes by Eli and returned them for touchdowns in leading the Vikings to a 41-17 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.

Sharper scored on a 20-yard return, Smith rumbled 93 yards and Greenway followed from 37 yards just a few plays later. The Vikings set a team single-game record for interception returns for touchdowns.The NFL record for interceptions returns for touchdowns is four, set by Seattle against Kansas City on Nov. 4, 1984. Continue

Giants defense comes up big in 16-10 victory over Lions

The New York Giants leaned on their defense to gain the advantage in the NFC wild-card race. Barely. Michael Strahan had a season-high three sacks while James Butler and Sam Madison both made victory-sealing interceptions, helping New York beat the Detroit Lions 16-10 Sunday. Eli Manning threw a touchdown pass to Brandon Jacobs, who later left the game with an injury, and Lawrence Tynes kicked three field goals to give the Giants more than enough offense. Continue

Cowboys hogtie Giants in battle for NFC East

So much for this year being different. Tony Romo hit Terrell Owens on two of his four touchdown passes and Dallas opened a three-game lead in the division by ending the Giants' six-game winning streak with a 31-20 victory on Sunday. For the third straight year, the Giants started the second half of their season with a loss after jumping out to 6-2 start. The loss to the Cowboys - giving Dallas a season sweep of the series - cripples the Giants chances at the NFC East title. Continue

Giants come out a winner in London road trip

For art, they could have gone to the British Museum. For something grand, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace were a train ride away. Instead, what the fans got on this history-making Sunday in London was old-fashioned, muck-it-up football — not very entertaining and not pretty at all, unless you ask the New York Giants, who came out with a 13-10 victory over the still-winless Miami Dolphins.

"We won, so obviously it was worth it," said Giants defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora, who was born in London. Eli Manning threw for only 59 yards but ran for New York's lone touchdown to lift the Giants to their sixth straight victory, a mud-caked slog through the unfriendly pitch at torn-up Wembley Stadium in this, the first regular-season NFL game played outside North America. Continue

Giants defense dominates in easy 33-15 win over 49ers

Trent Dilfer became the latest quarterback to suffer the wrath of Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan and the New York Giants' defense. Umenyiora scored on a 75-yard fumble return and the defense helped to account for 24 points as the Giants won their fifth straight with a 33-15 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The dynamic four-end defense of the Giants (5-2) had a field day against the NFL's worst offense.New York forced four turnovers by the 49ers (2-4), sacked Dilfer six times and made him play with his head on a swivel while Alex Smith rested his ailing shoulder on the sidelines. Continue

Giants blow out Falcons, win 4th straight

There was no need for a big second-half comeback or any late-game heroics against the Atlanta Falcons last night. This time, Eli Manning didn't save his best for last.

In a reversal of fortune, the Giants got off to the fast start they have been craving, thanks mostly to a brilliant first half by Manning, and rode it all the way to their fourth straight win, a 31-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Manning got the Giants going by completing nearly 70% of his first-half passes inside the Georgia Dome, including a career-best streak of 12 in row. "It was impressive," Tom Coughlin said. "He had the hot hand, no doubt about it." Continue

Rookie Aaron Ross' two interceptions lead Giants over Jets

Last week, it was a sack extravaganza. This time, the New York Giants' defense did it with interceptions. Rookie Aaron Ross returned the second of his first two NFL interceptions 43 yards for a touchdown with just over 3 minutes remaining to seal a 35-24 victory over the Jets on Sunday in the latest Battle of New York. A week after getting 12 sacks against Philadelphia, the Giants only had one - by Osi Umenyiora with less than 3 minutes left - but intercepted Chad Pennington three times. The last was the most costly as the Jets were driving for a potential go-ahead score.

Pennington, who had good protection by the offensive line all game, threw a pass to Jerricho Cotchery but Ross stepped in front of it and took off down the left sideline and into the end zone with the partisan Giants fans on their feet screaming. After trailing by 10 at halftime, the Giants (3-2) took over in the second half and beat the Jets (1-4) for the seventh time in 11 meetings. Continue

Giants defense grounds Donovan McNabb, Eagles

There have been a lot of great defensive performances inside Giants Stadium - even a few by the players on the current Giants. But none of them have ever seen anything like what they saw last night.

Right from the start, the Giants were all over Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb like a swarm of hungry bees, and when it was all over they had tied an NFL record with 12 sacks - including a team-record six from Osi Umenyiora. The barrage left the Philadelphia Eagles, who were coming off a 56-point explosion a week ago, dazed and confused after a 16-3 Giants win."I was amazed," said linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown to ice it in the third quarter. "It was definitely one to remember." Continue

Thanks to defense, Giants rally for 24-17 victory

After 10 quarters of going-nowhere football, the New York Giants finally rediscovered the secret to winning in the NFL: Play defense, take control of third down, make sure Plaxico Burress catches the ball, and make a harrowing goal line stand at the end of the game. A Giants defense that had allowed 80 points in its first two games allowed only 83 yards after halftime, and stopped the Washington Redskins on four plays from first-and-goal at the 1 in the final minute to preserve a 24-17 victory Sunday. New York scored the game's final 21 points and rallied from a two-touchdown deficit.

Burress, who had three drops and no catches in the first half, had five receptions for 86 yards in the second. The ankle injury that caused him to miss two practices last week didn't seem to affect him on the game-winning score - a 33-yard catch-and-run in which he received the ball in the left flat and put a move on Carlos Rogers before outrunning Sean Taylor to the end zone with 5:32 remaining. Continue

Brett Favre rallies Packers past Giants, 35-13

Brett Favre picked a near-perfect way to become the winningest quarterback in NFL history. Favre hit his first 14 passes of the second half and threw three touchdown passes to rally the Green Bay Packers to a 35-13 victory over Eli Manning and the New York Giants on Sunday. The victory was the 149th of Favre's 17-year career and gave him one more than Hall of Famer John Elway. It also gave the Packers their first 2-0 start since they won their first three in 2001.

The loss was the second straight for the undisciplined and error-prone Giants, something that hasn't happened at the start of a season since 1996 - the year Dan Reeves got fired. Tom Coughlin, who came into the season under pressure to do more than make the playoffs, may now be really under the gun. Continue

Eli Manning and Giants pounded by Cowboys

The Giants didn't just lose a game last night. They very nearly lost their season. As it is, they will be holding their breath today awaiting the results on three critical MRIs - one on Osi Umenyiora's knee, another on Brandon Jacobs' knee and the big one on Eli Manning's right shoulder. All three players were casualties last night, in the Giants' otherwise thrilling, season-opening, 45-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

They lost Umenyiora on the first defensive series and Jacobs early in the second quarter. But the near-killer came with 7:20 left when, on a failed two-point conversion, Manning was slammed to the ground by rookie defensive end Anthony Spencer. Continue

Giants booted from playoffs

The snap was there, the hold was good and the kick was perfect. David Akers hit a 38-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 23-20 victory over the New York Giants in a wild-card playoff game on Sunday.A day after Dallas lost to Seattle when quarterback Tony Romo fumbled the hold on what could have been a go-ahead field goal, the Eagles executed a seemingly routine play that has cost teams important games in recent weeks.

Brian Westbrook had 141 yards rushing, including a spectacular, slashing 49-yard TD run in the second quarter. His 65-yard punt return for an apparent score in the third quarter was nullified by a penalty on rookie Torrance Daniels. Continue

Giants topple Redskins in 34-28 victory

They have needed him so many times the past few seasons. But with his NFL career winding down, Tiki Barber was fading into insignificance, just like the rest of the Giants. Until Saturday night, that is. With everything on the line -- Tom Coughlin's job, a playoff berth and even Barber's legacy -- No. 21 had the greatest rushing day in team history.He does have a sense of timing.

Barber rushed for a Giants-record 234 yards and three touchdowns, one more than his total during the first 15 games, and the Giants managed to hang on for a 34-28 win over the Redskins after taking a 20-point lead in the third quarter. The Giants (8-8) have to wait until Sunday's games to find out if they have secured the last NFC playoff berth. Even if they do, Coughlin might have to wait until the Giants play their playoff game to find out if he stays or goes. Continue

Giants fail to take snap in Saints territory in defeat

The reborn New Orleans Saints are a game away from a first-round playoff bye. Tom Coughlin may be a game away from the end of his coaching career with the New York Giants. Reggie Bush ran for a career-best 126 yards and a touchdown and the Saints limited the Giants to six first downs and 142 yards in a 30-7 win on Sunday that turned Giants Stadium into a ghost town in the fourth quarter.

The Saints (10-5) can clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a bye if Dallas loses either of its final two games (Philadelphia on Monday and Detroit next weekend) or New Orleans wins at home against Carolina. Unbelievably, the Giants (7-8), who did not have a snap in Saints' territory all game, remain in the playoff hunt despite losing for the sixth time in seven games. The sellout crowd was so upset with the performance that twice it chanted "Fire Coughlin" before heading for the exits. A year ago, New York won the NFC East. Continue

Eagles give Giants taste of own medicine, 36-22

Who needs Donovan McNabb? Jeff Garcia has the Philadelphia Eagles on the verge of a playoff berth and possibly the NFC East title. Garcia threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Brown and a 2-point conversion and Trent Cole returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown 10 seconds later Sunday, leading the Eagles to a 36-22 win over the New York Giants.

The error-plagued game unworthy of two playoff contenders was third straight victory for the Eagles (8-6) and left them in control of their playoff destiny. If they beat Dallas (9-5) at home next week and Atlanta on the road two weeks later, they win the division title. The Giants (7-7) still have a shot at the playoffs despite losing for the fifth time in six games. They face New Orleans here next weekend and then close at Washington. However, they hold a tiebreaker with Atlanta (7-7) for the sixth and final playoff berth in the conference. Continue

Giants beat Panthers to end 4-game slide

Chris Weinke couldn't turn around Carolina's disappointing season. Tiki Barber and Eli Manning helped revive the New York Giants' playoff hopes. Barber rushed for 112 yards, Manning threw three touchdown passes and the Giants snapped a four-game losing streak Sunday with a 27-13 win over the banged-up Panthers. Weinke, making his first start in more than four years in place of the injured Jake Delhomme, threw for a team-record 423 yards, but had three second-half interceptions. He also was undone by drops and a nonexistent running game as the Panthers (6-7) lost their third straight.

While most of the attention was on Delhomme's sprained right thumb that forced him to miss his first game in four seasons, the Panthers' injury-plagued defense proved to be no match for the Giants (7-6), who remained in the top spot in the NFC wild-card race. Barber went over 10,000 career yards rushing in the second quarter on the way to his fifth 100-yard game of the season. Continue

Cowboys beat Giants on last-second FG

In an NFC where nobody stands out, the Dallas Cowboys are beginning to pass for a dominant team. Newly signed kicker Martin Gramatica booted 46-yard field goal with 1 second left to give the Cowboys a 23-20 win over the New York Giants and a two-game lead in the NFC East. Gramatica's winning kick went straight through the uprights with plenty of power, more than making up for his wide-right miss from 44 yards to end the Cowboys' opening drive. The winning score was set up by a 42-yard pass by Tony Romo to Jason Witten and came just over a minute after the Giants had tied the game at 20-all on a 5-yard TD pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress.

Gramatica, who also kicked field goals of 41 and 35 yards, was signed last week after the Cowboys cut Mike Vanderjagt. But being the new guy didn't keep Gramatica from bursting into one of his trademark wild celebrations: The diminutive kicker leaped into the arms of his teammates, while coach Bill Parcells broke into a wide smile on the sidelines as the ball sailed through. It was the fourth straight loss for the Giants (6-6) and the. fourth win in five games for Dallas (8-4) since Romo replaced Drew Bledsoe at quarterback at halftime of a 36-22 loss to New York on Oct. 23. He finished 20-of-34 for 257 yards with two interception. Continue

Giants collapse in loss to Titans

Vince Young and Adam "Pacman" Jones never gave up, leading a stunning Tennessee fourth-quarter comeback. The Titans cornerback intercepted two passes and had a 23-yard punt return that revived his teammates in the fourth quarter. Then rookie quarterback Young finished off an improbable rally from a 21-point deficit to a 24-21 win over the New York Giants Sunday. Young ran for a touchdown and threw for two more in the final 9:35 and finished with a career-high 249 yards passing. Rob Bironas kicked a 49-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to win it.

The Giants (6-5) lost their third straight and fell a game behind the Dallas Cowboys (7-4) in the NFC East going into next week's game in the Meadowlands. New York led 21-0 with in the second quarter. But the Giants didn't score again, and Jones got the Titans (4-7) into the game when he intercepted an Eli Manning pass with 12:55 left. (AP)

Eli and Giants on losing Jag

When the Giants seemed like they were losing another defensive player every week, they believed their high-powered offense would save them. But now it's Giants' high-powered offense that looks like it needs to be saved. Thanks to an offensive performance that Tiki Barber described as "pretty pitiful," the sliding Giants lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 26-10, at Alltel Stadium last night. They gained just 247 yards against a stingy Jaguars defense, including only 25 on the ground. And as a result, the Giants (6-4) are now locked in a tie with the Dallas Cowboys for first place in the NFC East, having coughed up their two-game lead in just two weeks. Continue

Missed FG is a kick in head

The marquee matchup between the NFC's best teams turned on one play, and the game turned against the Giants with Tom Coughlin's decision. Behind 24-20, Coughlin opted to try a 52-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Jay Feely, who had missed from 33 yards into the same end, kicked it short. Rookie Devin Hester fielded it eight yards deep in the end zone, delayed for a second or so at the back of the end zone and zipped down the right sideline.

One hundred and eight yards later, the Bears had sucked the life out of Giants Stadium on their way to a 38-20 win. On the next series, Eli Manning was intercepted by Chris Harris to seal it, even though there was 10:53 to play. "It's disappointing," Coughlin said, "and the responsibility falls on me. That's one of the risks you take if the field goal is short. You don't have the people out there who do the kick coverage for you. "Again, that's my call, no one else." Continue

Shockey TD gives Giants win

Tiki Barber and the New York Giants' banged-up defense stepped up just when it appeared the struggling Houston Texans would pull off an upset. Barber scored a touchdown and accounted for nearly half the yards in a go-ahead 67-yard fourth-quarter drive that Jeremy Shockey capped with a short touchdown catch as New York won its fifth straight with a 14-10 win Sunday.

The defense, which was playing without three starters and then lost Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan in the second quarter with a foot injury, sealed the win when rookie linebacker Gerris Wilkinson forced fullback Jameel Cook to fumble at the Giants 35 after a short catch. Cornerback Corey Webster recovered with 5:11 to play, and the Giants (6-2) ran out the clock to the delight of the 78,485 fans who were booing them at the end of the third quarter. Continue

For Big Blue, it's a breeze

Hours before the game, an American flag was nearly ripped from its pole atop Giants Stadium. And down below, the goal posts swayed so much in the tropical storm-like currents, they looked like they were only seconds from falling down. It was, in the words of Giants center Shaun O'Hara, "just one of those crazy days here at the Meadowlands." And the Giants knew exactly what that would mean.

"It wasn't pretty," O'Hara said. "We didn't expect it to be pretty. Some games you just have to grind it out and rely on your defense. If you want to be a great team, you've got to come out with a victory on days like today." Continue

Giants dance on 'Boys star

Right before LaVar Arrington was carted off the field midway through the second quarter last night, Antonio Pierce walked up to his friend and whispered in his ear. The Giants were winning, but the tide was starting to turn, and Pierce didn't want his teammate to worry. "I told him we weren't going to leave this one on the field," Pierce said.

In the end, Pierce was right. The Giants rode their revived pass rush and the retiring Tiki Barber to a 36-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium that reestablished them as the team to beat in the NFC East. It pushed them into first place, a half-game ahead of the Eagles, and gave them a division record of 3-0. Continue

Tiki puts on rushing clinic in Giants victory

Tiki Barber showed the Atlanta Falcons a thing or two about running the football. Barber outplayed the NFL's best ground team by running for 185 yards, Jeremy Shockey caught a couple of touchdown passes and the New York Giants rallied past the Falcons in the second half for a 27-14 victory Sunday. The Giants (3-2) fell behind 14-3 when Warrick Dunn broke off a 90-yard touchdown on Atlanta's first offensive play of the second half -- the longest run in team history. But New York dominated the Falcons (3-2) the rest of the way, going ahead with touchdown drives of 84 and 91 yards.

Barber did much of the damage, breaking off nine runs of at least 12 yards against a defense that was allowing just 69.3 yards per game, the second-best figure in the league. New York scored the final 24 points of the game, shredding an injury-plagued defense that had given up only one touchdown all season. Continue

Giant D stifles Redskins in 19-3 win

The New York Giants found their defense during the bye week. They rediscovered a lot of other things Sunday that made them a division winner a year ago. Michael Strahan and the much-maligned defense limited Washington to 164 total yards, and Eli Manning threw a touchdown pass and set up three of Jay Feely's four field goals with long passes to lead the Giants to a 19-3 victory over the Redskins.The victory was only the Giants' fourth in 18 post-bye week games.

It snapped a five-game skid in the week after the bye and was only their second in the last 11 post bye games. The Giants (2-2) got contributions from every phase of their team against Washington (2-3), with $49 million linebacker LaVar Arrington even making a rare big play by knocking down and almost intercepting a screen pass by Mark Brunell. Continue

Reeling Giants in blue funk

On one side of the Giants' locker room, the usually stone-faced and unflappable Antonio Pierce was laughing in response to questions about his team's defense. Laughing, because crying wasn't an option. "We're going to be a record-breaking defense, one way or another," the linebacker said.

"Right now, we're horrible."On the other side of the room, Jeremy Shockey made sure to point out that his team was "outplayed and outcoached. You can write that one down, I don't give a --." The Giants have reached the bye week and they know exactly where they stand: divided. Continue

Giants beat Eagles in OT

Eli Manning thrived under pressure, rallying the New York Giants to a stunning win Sunday.. Manning brought the Giants back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth-quarter and threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 3:11 left in overtime for a 30-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.On third-and-11 from the Eagles 31, Manning avoided a blitz and lofted a pass to Burress, who outjumped Sheldon Brown to make the catch and get in the end zone.

On the winning drive, Eagles safety Brian Dawkins appeared to outfight Visanthe Shiancoe for the ball on Manning's pass to make an interception. But the play was ruled a catch for New York's tight end. Manning quickly ran off a play before the officials could replay it. Dominated through the first three quarters, the Giants fought back and tied it on Jay Feely's 35-yard field goal with 7 seconds left. Continue

Three and out for Giants

The Carolina Panthers beat the Giants at their own game, in their own place. Steve Smith scored a pair of touchdowns and Carolina rattled Eli Manning into four turnovers to lead the Panthers to a 23-0 win over New York in the first round of the NFC playoffs Sunday.The Panthers did it with a stout defense and a strong running game -- the same principles the Giants used this season to win their first divisional title in five years. Playing nearly as well as they did in their Super Bowl season two years ago, the Panthers (12-5) handed New York its first playoff shutout in 20 years. "Everybody may say we're a Super Bowl team -- we're not," Smith cautioned. "All we are is a one-win playoff team." Continue

Giants ring in East title

The Giants know that if they're going anywhere in the playoffs, they're going on the back of Tiki Barber. Last night Barber showed he's capable of carrying the team a very long way. The 30-year-old running back powered the Giants with his third 200-yard rushing game of the season, gaining 203 yards on 28 carries, including a 95-yard touchdown dash, the longest run in team history. His MVP-caliber performance led the Giants to a 30-21 win over the Oakland Raiders, and locked up their first NFC East title in five years.

"It feels real good," veteran wide receiver Amani Toomer said. "We accomplished a lot. The so-called experts had us finishing last in the division. That goes to show how much they know." Continue

Burned by Moss, Giants fail to clinch

The Giants still control their own playoff destiny and could even be in the postseason by the time they take the field in Oakland on New Year's Eve. But the way they coughed up a chance to clinch the NFC East title in a 35-20 loss to the Redskins on Saturday begged the question: Does a team that spits the bit in such a big spot deserve a playoff berth?"Not if we play that way again," center Shaun O'Hara said. "Frustrated isn't the right word, disappointed isn't the right word. Absolutely and utterly ---- off is the only feeling we should have right now."

If the Giants (10-5) beat Oakland on Saturday, they will clinch the NFC East title. Even if the Giants lose, if Washington (9-6) loses to the Eagles in Philadelphia on New Year's Day, the Giants will win the division title. But if the Giants lose and the Redskins beat the Eagles, the Redskins will be NFC East champions on the basis of a better divisional record (5-1 to 4-2). Continue

Tiki torches Chiefs in Giants' win

Tiki Barber had enough in his veteran legs to pull the New York Giants to the brink of a division title. Barber ran for a team-record 220 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping the Giants beat up-and-coming runner Larry Johnson and the Kansas City Chiefs 27-17 Saturday. If the Giants (10-4) beat Washington next week, they will clinch the NFC East.

Despite a banged up offensive line, Barber slithered through the Chiefs defense, breaking one tackle after another to eclipse the old single-game rushing mark of 218, set by Gene Roberts against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. Continue

Feely, Giants eliminate Eagles from playoff contention

Jay Feely kept his head down and maintained his focus while replays of his recent missed field goals were shown on the video screen during a timeout. He'll watch this kick again -- and again.Feely's 36-yarder with 3:55 left in overtime lifted the New York Giants to a 26-23 victory Sunday that put them closer to the NFC East title and knocked the Philadelphia Eagles out of the playoff chase. Feely cost the Giants a victory in Seattle two weeks ago by missing three late kicks but made all four of his attempts against the Eagles, who played in the last four NFC Championship Games. Continue

Giants alone atop NFC East after narrow win vs. 'Boys

For once, the New York Giants' offense didn't have to manufacture a last-minute comeback. Instead, their defense stopped one by Dallas.The Giants built a 17-0 lead Sunday and then hung on to beat the Cowboys 17-10 to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

In four games this season, New York (8-4) has rallied from deficits late in the fourth quarter behind the timely passing of Eli Manning. With the second-year quarterback struggling Sunday, the Giants relied on a defense that produced four sacks, two interceptions and two fumbles and pressured Drew Bledsoe into a 15-for-39 performance. Continue

Three missed FGs doom Giants in OT loss to Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks survived a huge NFC challenge Sunday -- barely. Giants kicker Jay Feely missed three field goals, including two in overtime, and Seattle's Josh Brown hit a 36-yarder as the conference-leading Seahawks outlasted New York 24-21. Feely failed on the final play of regulation from 40 yards, then couldn't hit from 54 and 45 yards in the extra session. Seattle used a 38-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck to D.J. Hackett to get close for Brown.

Shaun Alexander rushed 31 times for 110 yards, 94 after halftime, and former Giant Joe Jurevicius had eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns -- all before the frantic, seesaw finish. "That was something, wasn't it?" Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said, sighing. Continue

Burress' TD catch in fourth shuts door on Eagles

Barely more than a full season into his NFL career as a starting quarterback, Eli Manning is practically immune to fourth-quarter pressure.Kept in check for most of three quarters by the Philadelphia Eagles, Manning threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including a 61-yarder to Plaxico Burress that helped the Giants pull away to a 27-17 victory Sunday.

The play followed a familiar script for Manning and the Giants this season. Against Dallas and Minnesota he threw touchdown passes in the final minutes to tie games New York eventually lost. In between, he threw a winning touchdown pass against Denver in the final seconds. Continue

Giants defense holds Niners without a touchdown

Though Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan had miserable memories of Candlestick Park, Eli Manning was still in college when the New York Giants' last trip to the playoffs ended here in a historic collapse.The young quarterback thought the old building was an excellent place to get his first true road victory. Manning passed for 251 yards and a touchdown, Brandon Jacobs rushed for two short fourth-quarter scores and the Giants' defense yielded just 138 total yards in a 24-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Continue

Eli, Giants pull out win

Eli Manning hit Amani Toomer with a two-yard touchdown pass with five seconds remaining to give the Giants a 24-23 win over the Broncos at Giants Stadium. Manning finished 23-of-42 for 214 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the Giants (4-2), who rallied from a 13-point deficit to remain a perfect 4-0 when playing at the Meadowlands this season.Toomer ended with eight catches for 62 yards with none bigger than his reception in the middle of the end zone in the final seconds.

After starting the drive at their own 17 yard line with 3 1/2 minutes left and down 23-17, the Giants marched the length of the field for the dramatic finish. On 3rd-and-goal with 10 seconds remaining, Manning took the snap, dropped back to give himself time, and slung a pass to Toomer, who found an opening in the middle of the Denver defense. Jay Feely then connected on the PAT to give New York the lead. Continue

Cowboys pull through the muck to edge Giants

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants wanted to find out Sunday which of them looked ready to challenge for supremacy in the NFC East.The Cowboys won, but the answer to the bigger question might be neither. Dallas committed four turnovers, missed two field-goal attempts and allowed a tying touchdown with 19 seconds left, yet overcame it all with a 45-yard field goal by Jose Cortez on the opening drive of overtime for a 16-13 victory over the equally inept Giants. "I feel pretty fortunate," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said. Continue

Pass-happy Manning sends Giants past Rams

A week after spending the first quarter on the sideline for violating team rules, Plaxico Burress redeemed himself with one of the best days of his career.The sixth-year wide receiver had two touchdown catches among a career-high 10 receptions Sunday as the New York Giants defeated the St. Louis Rams 44-24. In addition to Burress' two touchdowns, Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw scoring passes of 1 yard to Amani Toomer and 31 yards to Jeremy Shockey. Continue

Eli's career day drowned out by Chargers, fans

The boos and rude chants came thundering down on Eli Manning from the moment he ran onto the field, rising up every time he lined up under center. San Diegans got their payback, and it was raucous. "I knew it was going to be loud," said Manning, who spurned the Chargers 17 months ago, then lost to them as San Diego defeated the New York Giants 45-23 on Sunday night.

While the sellout crowd of 65,373 delighted in tormenting Manning, it also exhorted the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson, who ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns, and threw for another score on a night that left thousands of ear drums ringing, especially Manning's. Continue

Giants crush Saints

To the New Orleans Saints, Monday night's bizarre "home" opener was unfair from the outset. And they played like they didn't want to be there in losing 27-10 to the New York Giants. "They made this seem like the Super Bowl," quarterback Aaron Brooks said of the NFL and the hoopla after New Orleans had six turnovers and 13 penalties.

"We played a team that outplayed us today, but it was way overdone. Setting up a stage, traveling out here, was uncalled for. "Try not to patronize us next time, traveling us to New York, saying we're playing a home game." Added coach Jim Haslett: "We were in the visiting locker room, on the visiting field. It seemed like an away game." Continue

Happy returns: Giants run back pair, rout Cards

Eli Manning led the Giants to their highest point total in more than two seasons Sunday with his former mentor standing on the opposite sideline. It didn't hurt that his teammates chipped in with two special teams touchdowns. The second-year quarterback overcame a slow start to throw for 172 yards and two touchdowns as the New York Giants rallied to defeat the Arizona Cardinals and former teammate Kurt Warner, 42-19.

In the process, Manning allayed fears that his right elbow had any residual effects from a sprain suffered in a preseason game three weeks earlier. He threw for touchdowns of 20 yards to Jeremy Shockey and 13 yards to Plaxico Burress, and showed his arm was strong with a 44-yard pass to Burress that set up a 5-yard touchdown run by rookie Brandon Jacobs early in the third quarter. Continue

Armed & ready

The best news for the Giants last night was not that they defeated a facsimile of the Super Bowl champion Patriots 27-3 at Gillette Stadium to close out the preseason, but what took place prior to kickoff. That's when Eli Manning threw about 60 passes for the most extensive test of his sprained right elbow. Manning reported no soreness, was examined and received a clean bill of health from team physician Dr. Russell Warren, allowing Manning to declare himself ready for the regular season.

"I think it will be fine by next week," Manning said. "I think there won't be any problem with it."  The plan is for Manning to throw again today, take Saturday off, throw again on Sunday, take Monday off and then participate fully in practice on Tuesday, when the heavy-duty preparation for the Sept. 11 opener against the Cardinals is put in place. Continue

Eli, where are you?

The Giants' offense with Tim Hasselbeck at the helm is rough - and that's being kind. With Jesse Palmer, the offense is even worse. But their defense is starting to show that the turnover threat is very real, with two interceptions and a fumble recovery against the Jets Friday night after taking six turnovers a week ago. The stars of Friday night's 15-14 win over the Jets were not found on offense. Michael Strahan, who was iffy because of a strained rib-cage muscle, played the entire first half and showed flashes of brilliance. He sacked Chad Pennington to force a fumble that Antonio Pierce recovered, then picked off Pennington in the end zone.

Rookie Corey Webster also intercepted Pennington in the end zone, leaping in front of Laveranues Coles. Webster, who got significant time with the first-unit defense, has two interceptions and a fumble recovery in his last two games. Continue

Giants make right turn

There is nothing Tom Coughlin has harped on more during training camp this summer than the importance of his defense creating turnovers. Finally, all his preaching paid off. The usually butterfingered Giants' defense forced six turnovers last night in a 27-21 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium. The much-maligned secondary even came up with four interceptions, including one by safety Curry Burns in the last minute that preserved the win.

That was the good news on a night when there was little else for the Giants (1-1) to be excited about. The first-team offense, aside from two big plays, struggled against the Carolina pass rush, and the first-team defense was pushed up and down the field. Continue

Coughlin temper strikes

It took nearly 90 minutes for the Giants' offense to put together a good drive last night. But it turned out to be worth the wait. After waiting out a first-quarter weather delay of one hour and 19 minutes, Eli Manning completed what likely was the longest touchdown drive in team history. He finished it with a 20-yard touchdown pass to new receiver Plaxico Burress, one of the few highlights in the Giants' 17-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns in the preseason opener.

The drive only took nine plays and went just 69 yards, but it lasted nearly an hour and half thanks to a wild thunder and lightning storm that chased both teams from the field just 3:04 into the game. The game was suspended, and the crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium was told to take cover, with the Giants about to run a first-down play from the Cleveland 43. Continue

Chargers awaiting Manning

The NFL schedule will be unveiled today and there's a good chance the Giants-Chargers game in San Diego will be a nationally televised affair, possibly even a Monday night game. Look no further than Eli Manning for the reason why.

Manning, of course, last year insisted he would not play for the Chargers after they made him the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. It was Manning's famous father, Archie, who met with Chargers officials and later feared his son might languish in San Diego — the way he had during his own career in New Orleans. Finally, the Manning family all but forced the trade to the Giants, leaving an array of ill feelings back in San Diego. Continue

Accorsi: Rams asked Giants about interest in Pace

Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi yesterday essentially acknowledged the Rams made an inquiry to see if the Giants are interested in left tackle Orlando Pace, but he said there are no ongoing trade discussions. "There are inquiries made all the time about players," Accorsi said. "That's as much as I'll say." The rumors were flying fast and furious at yesterday's scouting combine, with one suggestion that the Giants might be willing to deal defensive end Michael Strahan for Pace in a player-for-player deal. Accorsi insisted that won't happen, especially given that the Giants would take a massive salary-cap hit if they unloaded Strahan. Continue

Giants find new ways to lose

Those guys from New York sure look a lot like the old Bungles.

With a slump-busting win at their numb fingertips, the Giants allowed a long punt return, an improbable completion and a tipped interception that rallied the Cincinnati Bengals to a 23-22 victory Sunday.

Jon Kitna's 4-yard touchdown pass to Chad Johnson with 44 seconds left touched off a gleeful celebration on a frosty afternoon. Fans tossed clumps of snow into the air and, a few minutes later, whipped a few snowballs at the downcast Giants (5-10), who have lost eight in a row and have no idea what to do next. Continue

Giants suck in D.C.

Giants could only manage 7 first downs vs Washington. Redskins had 27 first downs. Giants rushed for only 38 yards. Skins rushed for 211 yards. Giants T.O.P was 20 minutes, Skins 40 minutes. Giants vaunted no-name defense gave up 31 pts to a team who had score 23 pts in their 3 previous games combined. Coughlin said He knew the Redskins would want to rush the ball, only if He knew how to stop them. This season is over, I am not sure the Giants will win another game, nevermind the playoffs. Here is the AP recap.

Eagles Top Giants, Clinch NFC East Title

The Philadelphia Eagles won a fourth consecutive NFC East title by making Eli Manning look very much like a rookie.

Brian Westbrook scored two touchdowns and the Eagles' defense made life miserable for Manning and frustrating for Giants linebacker Barrett Green in a 27-6 victory over New York on Sunday.

The Eagles (10-1) scored 20 second-half points and limited the Giants (5-6) to 47 yards in the final half in reaching the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. The Eagles are the third team since the 16-game schedule began in 1978 to win a division title by its 11th game, joining the Bears in 1985 and the 49ers in 1997. Chicago won the Super Bowl after the 1985 season. Continue

Soar Spot

Not In Our House? More like Not On Our Minds.

Forget any artificial rallying cries for the Giants this week as the Eagles come to town, seeking to clinch the NFC East crown en route to the best record in the conference, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, world dominance and anything else they can pillage on the way to erasing their demons in the NFC Championship Game. Continue.

Giants Flat In Huge Loss To Lions

I guess all that bulls*it about Tom Coughlin being the general and whipping his boys into shape during the bye week was a little off base. The Giants looked horrible in all aspects of the game except for maybe kicking. Warner looked shaky as all hell and was constantly pressured. I was literally waiting for Manning to come in and spark the offense. The floating duck Warner threw into the endzone just before halftime said it all. Giants failed to score a TD in 3 trips to the redzone. The offensive line looked like it was back in preseason. Detroit pressured Warner without having to blitz. The defense didn't do much better. Harrington was 18-22 with 2 TDs, He looked like Johnny U back there. The Giants lost the turnover battle 2-0. The bottom line is that the Giants can't take anyone lightly and must win the turnover battle to have a good chance of winning the game. This game should have been a W, the Giants will regret losing this game when they are angling for a playoff spot down the road.

Giants Corral Them Cowboys 26-10

How about them Giants! Giants go into Dallas and convincingly beat up Bill Parcells and the Cowboys. It was a true team effort, Offense and Defense made some key plays. Giant's D stopped Cowboys on 4th and 1 at their own 5 yard line. Then Parcells made a horrible decision in going for it again on 4th and 1 in the 4th quarter from their own 43 yard line. The score was 16-10 Giants at the time and basically sealed the Cowboys fate when they failed to convert. Giants practiced a bend don't break defense, giving up 126 yards on the ground. Warner was once again solid going 18-33 for 217 yards and 1 TD to Shockey. Tim Carter dropped a sure TD pass in the first quarter. Tiki, who is playing like an all-pro, had another outstanding day. Barber was 23-122 with 1 TD rushing and 5-76 receiving. Barber had 2 touches for 50+ yards, 1 rushing, 1 receiving. Steve Christie was 4-4 in FGs and had 1 FG for 51 yards, a nice turnaround from last week. The Giants have to be happy being 4-1 going into the bye week, when they return they will face the new and improved Detroit Lions at home on October 24th. I can only assume Coughlin will have his team ready when they return from the bye. Giants can now talk about the playoffs and be taken seriously. Coughlin and company have brought the Giants back from being laughable to very respectable.

Giants KO Favre, Packers 14-7

Giants knocked out Brett Favre and the Packers Sunday at Lambeau field. Favre was knocked out by William Joseph early in the 3rd quarter. Favre was replaced by Doug Pederson after throwing a TD post KO. Favre did not have medical clearance and had to sit out the rest of the game. Tiki Barber rushed for 182 yards and 1 TD. Kurt Warner was 20-26 for 187 yds with 1 TD and 1 INT. Warner threw his 1st INT of the season from Green Bay's 2 yard line into the endzone. Shockey caught his 1st TD of the season from Warner in the 3rd quarter , putting the Giant's up 14-7. Giants defense was very impressive. Ahman Green rushed for only 58 yds and lost one fumble. Gibril Wilson continues to impress, leading the defense with 12 tackles.(10 solo) The Giant's secondary kept the Packer's passing attack under control all day. Steve Christie missed 3 makeable FGs. I would not be surprised if the Giants tried to upgrade their placekicker position. Those FGs could have been critical. Giants are now 3-1 and play Dallas next week in Dallas. This is now a big game, if Giants lose they would be tied with the Cowboys for second place in the NFC east.

Giants Rough Up Browns 27-10

Giants win turnover battle (+3) and established the run, to an easy 27-10 victory at the Meadowlands. Warner had a very soild outing 19/27 for 287 yards and 1 rushing TD. Barber rushed for 106 yards and 1 TD as well. Toomer got the damn ball, 5-126 yards. Strahan had a field day with 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Gibril Wilson, filling in for Shaun Williams, had another Int and was flagged for a vicious hit on Quincy Morgan that lead to a Browns TD. Giants matched their longest win streak of last year (2). Giants head to Lambeau field next week to face the Packers.