2007: Eagles Edge Giants in Wild Card Playoff Game

Two NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, met in a NFC Wild Card playoff game at Philadelphia on January 7, 2007. Coached by Andy Reid for the eighth season, the Eagles were two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance but had stumbled thereafter. They were at 5-6 and without injured starting QB Donovan McNabb before, with backup QB Jeff Garcia behind center, they reeled off five straight wins to top the NFC East with a 10-6 record. RB Brian Westbrook (pictured above), adept at both running the ball and catching it out of the backfield, was a key to the club’s success, and wide receivers Reggie Brown and Donte Stallworth were capable. The attacking defense had problems against the run but was at its best in the backfield, led by FS Brian Dawkins.

The Giants were in their third year under Head Coach Tom Coughlin and finished third in the division at 8-8, following a 6-2 start, grabbing the second Wild Card slot. QB Eli Manning was inconsistent but teamed well with WR Plaxico Burress. RB Tiki Barber was coming off of a season in which he gained 2127 yards from scrimmage at age 31. Injuries to DEs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora were damaging to the underperforming defense. The teams split their regular season meetings, each winning in the other club’s home venue.

There were 69,094 fans in attendance at Lincoln Financial Field. The Giants had the first possession and, on the initial play from scrimmage, Eli Manning passed to Plaxico Burress for a gain of 29 yards. New York kept the ball on the ground as Tiki Barber (pictured below) carried three times for 25 yards and short-yardage QB Jared Lorenzen gained two yards to convert a third down. Finally, it was Manning to Burress once again for a 17-yard touchdown. Jay Feely added the extra point and the visitors had the early 7-0 lead.

The teams exchanged punts with the Giants winning the battle for field position and keeping the Eagles pinned back deep in their own territory. With less than two minutes remaining in the opening period, Philadelphia commenced a seven-play, 84-yard drive that stretched into the second quarter. Jeff Garcia completed passes to Reggie Brown for nine yards and Brian Westbrook for six to start things off, but following a four-yard carry by Westbrook and a long incompletion, the Eagles faced third-and-six at their 35. Garcia ran up the middle for seven yards and a first down to finish out the first quarter and a short toss to Donte Stallworth gained four yards before Westbrook broke away in spectacular fashion for a 49-yard TD. David Akers converted to tie the score at 7-7.

On New York’s next series, Manning fired a long pass on third down that was intended for Burress but was intercepted by CB Sheldon Brown, who returned it seven yards to the New York 37. Westbrook took off for 22 yards on first down and carries by RB Correll Buckhalter picked up another 11. The drive bogged down at that point but the Eagles took the lead on a 19-yard Akers field goal.

The Giants came back with a long drive that started from their 20. Manning completed three passes, two of them to TE Jeremy Shockey, and Barber had a 41-yard run to the Philadelphia three. But the Eagles held at that point as two Manning throws were incomplete and a run by Barber picked up a yard. New York was forced to settle for a 20-yard field goal by Feely that knotted the score at 10-10 with 4:47 remaining in the first half.

The Eagles responded with an 80-yard possession that took ten plays. Garcia completed six passes along the way, the last to Stallworth for a 28-yard touchdown. Akers added the point after and Philadelphia took a 17-10 lead into halftime.

The teams resumed trading punts to start the third quarter before the Eagles, starting from their 25 after an apparent 65-yard punt return by Westbrook was nullified by a clipping penalty, put together a scoring drive. Garcia completed a nine-yard pass to Reggie Brown on a third-and-eight play and Brown picked up another 13 yards on a reverse. Garcia threw to Brown again for 15 yards and to Buckhalter for three and, while the advance was stopped at the New York 30, Akers kicked a 48-yard field goal that extended the home team’s lead to 20-10.

In a series that extended into the fourth quarter, the Giants advanced to a score, helped along by a 47-yard pass interference penalty called on Sheldon Brown defending Burress. They reached the Philadelphia six before having to settle for a 24-yard Feely field goal that narrowed the margin to 20-13.

The Eagles had to punt following their next possession and New York drove 80 yards in 12 plays. Barber ran for 13 yards on first down and Manning completed six passes along the way. The last three were to Burress, for gains of 18, 14, and finally 11 yards and a TD. Feely tied the score at 20-20 with 5:08 left in regulation.

New York never got the ball back as Philadelphia put together a long, methodical series. Westbrook ran effectively and Garcia completed two short passes to keep the possession alive and the ball away from the Giants. Finally, with the clock down to three seconds, Akers booted a 38-yard field goal and the Eagles came away winners by a final score of 23-20.

Philadelphia led in total yards (323 to 305) and first downs (19 to 17). Both teams ran the ball well, with the Eagles picking up 185 yards to New York’s 151. The Giants suffered the game’s only turnover but were penalized nine times to six flags thrown on Philadelphia.

Jeff Garcia completed 17 of 31 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown with none intercepted. Brian Westbrook rushed for 141 yards on 20 carries that included a TD and Reggie Brown (pictured at right) led the Philadelphia receivers with 7 catches for 73 yards.

For the Giants, Eli Manning was successful on 16 of 27 throws for 161 yards and two TDs with one interception. Tiki Barber, playing in the final game of his career, gained 137 yards on 26 rushing attempts and caught two passes for 15 more yards. Plaxico Burress topped the receivers with 5 catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.    

The Eagles advanced to the NFC Divisional round and lost a close contest at New Orleans. They dropped to 8-8 and missed the playoffs in 2007. New York came back to claim another Wild Card spot in ’07 and advanced to a Super Bowl upset of the undefeated New England Patriots.

The loss in Philadelphia marked the last game for Tiki Barber, who had already announced that the 2006 season would be his last. He retired as the franchise’s career rushing leader (10,449 yards) as well as ranking second in pass receptions (586). Barber gained 475 yards on the ground in seven playoff games, with the 137 yards against the Eagles his high for a single contest.  

2005: TDs on Returns Propel Vikings to Win Over Giants

The Minnesota Vikings were struggling with a 3-5 record and had yet to win a road game as they faced the New York Giants at the New Jersey Meadowlands on November 13, 2005. Head Coach Mike Tice’s team was without starting QB Daunte Culpepper, who went down with a season-ending knee injury two weeks earlier, and 37-year-old Brad Johnson was in his place. The receiving corps had no one of the stature of the talented but troublesome Randy Moss, who had departed the previous offseason, and the running game was only fair.

The Giants were coached by Tom Coughlin and 6-2 following three straight wins. Second-year QB Eli Manning was playing well and RB Tiki Barber was a consistent running threat. The receiving corps was a good one, with WR Plaxico Burress and TE Jeremy Shockey the favored targets. The defense was strongest on the line, where DE Osi Umenyiora was a rising talent.  

There were 78,637 fans in attendance at Giants Stadium. The Vikings got a break right at the start when WR Willie Ponder fumbled the opening kickoff and CB Antoine Winfield recovered at the New York 27. However, they were unable to capitalize when the offense couldn’t move and Paul Edinger missed a 40-yard field goal attempt.

The teams traded punts until FS Darren Sharper (pictured above) intercepted a pass by Eli Manning to give Minnesota the ball once again in New York territory at the 17. And once again the visitors failed to make the most of the opportunity when Edinger tried another field goal attempt that was blocked by DT Damane Duckett.

The teams again exchanged punts following short possessions, but as the first quarter wound down the Giants were on the move. Tiki Barber carried five times for 20 yards and Manning ran the ball himself twice for 24, the first an 11-yard gain that converted a third-and-11 situation. The second quarter began with the ball on the Minnesota 11, but on the first play Manning’s pass intended for Plaxico Burress was intercepted by Sharper, who returned it 92 yards for a touchdown. Edinger added the extra point and in stunning fashion the Vikings held a 7-0 lead.

Starting from their 25 following the ensuing kickoff, the Giants again drove into Minnesota territory. The big play was a throw from Manning to Barber that picked up 48 yards and another pass to FB Jim Finn gained 12 yards to the Minnesota 17. The advance stalled there and Jay Feely kicked a 35-yard field goal.

The Vikings again had to punt following their next series and New York went 49 yards in nine plays. Manning had completions to Burress for 15 yards, Barber for 9, and WR Amani Toomer for 8, and Barber contributed a 13-yard run. Feely booted another field goal, of 40 yards, and it was a one-point game at 7-6.

Minnesota was still unable to move on offense and the resulting punt was returned 55 yards by RB Chad Morton to the Vikings’ 27. But now it was New York’s turn to fail to capitalize when, after reaching the 10, Feely missed a try for a field goal from 28 yards. The score remained unchanged at the half with Minnesota in front despite having gained only six yards on offense.

The Vikings started the third quarter off in a big way as WR Koren Robinson returned the second half kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. Edinger’s PAT put the visitors up by 14-6. New York responded by driving 85 yards in seven plays. A pass interference penalty on Winfield picked up 40 yards and Manning connected with Toomer for a 23-yard TD. Feely added the point after and it was once again a one-point contest at 14-13.

Minnesota put together a promising series in which Brad Johnson threw to Robinson for a 44-yard gain to the New York 27, but an offensive pass interference penalty moved the Vikings back and they ended up having to punt. A three-and-out series by the Giants also resulted in a punt, and RB Mewelde Moore (pictured at left) ran it back 71 yards for yet another touchdown on a return. Edinger added the extra point and the Vikings led by 21-13.

The Giants had to punt following a short series and the teams then exchanged turnovers, with Minnesota RB Michael Bennett fumbling the ball away at his own 40 and Manning giving up an interception to CB Brian Williams.

As the game continued into the fourth quarter, the punts continued. The Giants finally put together a promising drive, starting from their 44. Manning completed three passes, the third to Jeremy Shockey for a gain of 19 yards to the Minnesota 11. But a throw into the end zone was picked off by Sharper, his third of the game, and he returned it 31 yards.

The interception seemed as though it might be the game-clinching blow, but with 3:40 remaining in regulation, the Giants used all of their timeouts as the Vikings ran three plays and punted. New York then advanced 67 yards in eight plays, with Manning successful on three straight passes to start things off and Barber running for 11 yards. A defensive holding penalty moved the ball to the Minnesota 21 from where Manning completed a pass to Barber for 18 yards. Barber ran for a three-yard TD, and then again for the two-point conversion, and the score was tied at 21-21.

The clock was now down to 1:15 as the Vikings, who had not done at all well offensively, began to move down the field. Osi Umenyiora sacked Johnson on the first play, but the quarterback then connected on his next four throws. The drive halted at the New York 30 and Edinger, who had missed twice from shorter distances earlier in the game, kicked a 48-yard field goal with ten seconds left. The Vikings won by a final score of 24-21.

It was the first time in NFL history that a team returned a punt, kickoff, and interception for touchdowns in the same game, and Minnesota would not have won without them. The Giants dominated in total yards (405 to 137) and first downs (25 to 11) as the Vikings had their worst output of the season. They also recorded four sacks, to two by Minnesota. However, New York turned the ball over five times and drew seven flags, to one turnover and seven penalties by the Vikings. And the coverage units for the Giants were burned for the two scoring returns.

Brad Johnson completed 18 of 31 passes for 144 yards and no touchdowns, but also no interceptions. Michael Bennett led the Vikings in rushing with 16 yards on 19 carries and had another 11 yards on 6 catches. Jermaine Wiggins also caught 6 passes, for 42 yards, and Koren Robinson led the team with 44 yards on his lone reception. However, Robinson also averaged 39.5 yards on four kickoff returns that included a TD and, with the long scoring return, Mewelde Moore averaged 29.0 yards on three punt returns. On defense, Darren Sharper intercepted three passes and returned them for 123 yards and a touchdown.

For the Giants, Eli Manning, who had difficulty reading Minnesota’s shifting coverages on defense, was successful on 23 of 48 throws for 291 yards and a TD, but gave up four interceptions. Tiki Barber (pictured above) ran for 95 yards on 23 attempts that included a touchdown and also had 8 catches for 111 yards. Amani Toomer contributed 6 pass receptions for 61 yards and a score.

“I’m glad the guys figured out that we can win the game on defense and special teams,” said Minnesota’s Coach Tice.

The win over the Giants was part of a turnaround by the Vikings as it marked their second of an eventual six straight wins on the way to a 9-7 record and second place finish in the NFC North. New York bounced back to win the next week and topped the NFC East at 11-5, although the Giants were shut out by Carolina in the Wild Card playoff round.

Darren Sharper went on to intercept 9 passes, which led the NFC, while topping the entire league by returning them for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl. Koren Robinson was also selected to the Pro Bowl as he led the conference in kickoff returns with a 26.0 yard average and accounted for 1595 all-purpose yards.

2008: Giants Stun Patriots in Super Bowl XLII to Derail Perfect Season

Since the Miami Dolphins had gone 14-0 in 1972 and advanced to win the Super Bowl, no other NFL team had put together a perfect record. Entering Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 the New England Patriots were coming off a 16-0 campaign in the 2007 regular season and had beaten the Jaguars and Chargers in the playoffs to win the AFC title. To be sure, Head Coach Bill Belichick’s club had struggled in some late-season contests, but the Patriots were as formidable as the record indicated, having set league records by scoring 589 points and 75 touchdowns. The offense was directed by QB Tom Brady, who threw for 4806 yards and set a new standard with 50 TD passes. Veteran WR Randy Moss, a newcomer to the Patriots in ’07, caught 23 touchdown passes and gained 1493 yards and steady WR Wes Welker pulled in 112 receptions. RB Laurence Maroney was the best of an unexceptional but solid group of backs. The defense was tough and filled with savvy veterans such as NT Vince Wilfork, OLB Mike Vrabel, and CB Asante Samuel. Not even allegations of spying on opponents in past seasons could cause the confident Patriots to lose focus.

Their opponents in the Super Bowl were the New York Giants, a team they had barely gotten past in the regular season finale. Coached by Tom Coughlin, the Giants were hardly as dominating during a 10-6 campaign in which they finished second to the Cowboys in the NFC East and entered the playoffs as a fifth-seeded Wild Card. They then won three straight road games, over the Buccaneers, Cowboys, and Packers, to advance to the Super Bowl – the latter two wins coming as decided underdogs. QB Eli Manning (pictured above) had struggled with consistency but he had risen to the occasion in the postseason. The team had a fine group of running backs and, despite playing with an injured ankle, WR Plaxico Burress was a dependable target for Manning’s passes. The defense was the key to the team’s success, however, in particular its ability to mount a pass rush and stop the run. New York’s defense had led the league in quarterback sacks with 53. Still, the Giants came into the game as 12-point underdogs against the undefeated Patriots.

It was a chilly night at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ with 71,101 fans in attendance plus the typically-massive television audience. The Giants showed poise in their first possession, taking 16 plays to go 63 yards and using up almost ten minutes while converting four third downs along the way. Eventually, they ended up with a Lawrence Tynes field goal from 32 yards.

New England responded with a long drive as well that followed a 43-yard kickoff return by Laurence Maroney. On a third-and-10 play at the New York 17, LB Aaron Pierce ran into TE Benjamin Watson as he reached for the ball in the end zone and drew a pass interference penalty. Two plays later, and at the start of the second quarter, Maroney ran for a one-yard TD and, with the successful extra point, the Patriots took the lead at 7-3.

The Giants drove inside the New England 20, with the big play a pass to WR Amani Toomer for 38 yards. But for the first time in the postseason, a Manning pass was intercepted when WR Steve Smith bobbled a low throw and CB Ellis Hobbs grabbed it. New York’s defense held and the teams traded punts. Midway through the period, the Giants sacked Brady on back-to-back plays. LB Kawicka Mitchell and DE Michael Strahan combined for a six-yard sack and then DE Justin Tuck dumped Brady.

A promising series for the Giants reached the New England 25, but Manning had the ball knocked out of his hand when hit by LB Adalius Thomas and, while New York recovered, the Giants were penalized ten yards for an illegal touch by RB Ahmad Bradshaw. They were ultimately forced to punt.

The Patriots were driving just before halftime when Brady fumbled when hit by Tuck. New York recovered but a Hail Mary pass into the end zone fell incomplete. The Giants had run more plays (34 to 27) and dominated time of possession (19:27 to 10:33) but were down by four points at the half.

The Patriots had a long series to start the third quarter and it was extended when the Giants, thanks to an astute challenge by Coach Belichick, were found to have 12 men on the field during a punt that thus gave New England a first down. The drive was further helped along when Brady connected with RB Kevin Faulk for 14 yards in a third-and-13 situation. But after advancing to the New York 25, Brady was sacked on a third down play by Strahan and, rather than try for a field goal, the ensuing fourth down pass fell incomplete.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Giants put together an 80-yard drive that started with Manning tossing a pass to rookie TE Kevin Boss that turned into a 45-yard gain when SS Rodney Harrison missed the tackle. The series was capped by a five-yard touchdown on a Manning pass to WR David Tyree that put New York in front with just over 11 minutes remaining to play.

Following a trade of punts, New England came back with a 12-play scoring possession. Brady found Randy Moss alone in the end zone for a seven-yard TD that, followed by the successful conversion, put the Patriots back in the lead at 14-10.

There was 2:39 to play as the Giants regained possession. Manning threw to Toomer for 11 yards and, four plays later, they converted a fourth-and-one situation to stay alive. Shortly thereafter New York faced third-and-five with time running down. Manning, barely avoiding being sacked, threw to Tyree who, clutching the ball against his helmet, made a sensational catch for a 32-yard gain to the New England 44 (pictured at right). A toss to Smith picked up 12 yards on a third-and-11 play and then Manning tossed a pass over Ellis Hobbs that Plaxico Burress caught for a 13-yard touchdown with 35 seconds left on the clock.

Starting at their own 26, the Patriots were unable to pull off a final comeback as Brady threw two incomplete passes, was sacked, and then unsuccessfully went long for Moss on the final play. The crowd erupted as the stunning 17-14 upset was completed and the Giants, having won a road game for the eleventh straight time, were officially champions.

The Giants led in total yards (338 to 274) although New England had the edge in first downs (22 to 17). New York stuffed the Patriots’ running game (45 yards on 16 carries) and sacked Brady five times for a loss of 37 yards. New England’s defense got to Manning three times, at a loss of just eight yards, and the Giants gained 91 yards on the ground in 26 attempts. Each team suffered one turnover.

The game’s MVP, Eli Manning, completed 19 of 34 passes for 255 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Amani Toomer caught 6 passes for 84 yards and Steve Smith contributed 5 receptions for 50 yards while Plaxico Burress (pictured below), held to two catches for 27 yards, had the game-winning TD. Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 45 yards on 9 carries and Brandon Jacobs gained 42 yards on his 14 attempts.

For the Patriots, Tom Brady, under heavy pressure throughout the contest, was successful on 29 of 48 throws for 266 yards and a TD with none intercepted. Wes Welker had 11 pass receptions for 103 yards and Randy Moss caught 5 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Laurence Maroney paced the running game with 36 yards and a TD on 14 carries.

“The guys on this team and the run we’ve made, it’s hard to believe – it really is,” said Eli Manning. “The drive at the end, there were so many clutch plays by so many guys. It is an unbelievable game and an unbelievable feeling.”

“We shocked the world but not ourselves,” summed up Giants LB Aaron Pierce.

New York won the NFC East with a 12-4 record in 2008 but was ousted in the Divisional playoff round by the Eagles. The Patriots, having lost out on a perfect season, lost Tom Brady for the year in the season-opening game but, with backup Matt Cassel at quarterback, still went 11-5, although it wasn’t quite enough to return to the postseason. There was a rematch of the two clubs in the Super Bowl following the 2011 season – with similar results. 

2007: Jacobs & Bradshaw Key Ground Attack as Giants Beat Bills

The New York Giants were 9-5 and fighting for a playoff spot as they took on the Buffalo Bills on December 23, 2007. Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s team had struggled with inconsistency, particularly with regard to fourth-year QB Eli Manning. He was helped by the presence of WR Plaxico Burress, who was productive despite playing with an injured ankle. The Giants were also helped through a running back by committee approach that had successfully replaced retired star RB Tiki Barber, although in a loss the previous week to the Redskins they were criticized for underutilizing the ground attack. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit was aggressive and adept at pressuring opposing quarterbacks while stopping the run.

The Bills, coached by Dick Jauron, had recovered from a slow 1-4 start to win four straight games but were at 7-7 and out of the playoffs. Still, they had received an emotional lift prior to facing the Giants when TE Kevin Everett, who suffered a severe injury to his spinal cord in the season-opening game, returned from his rehab to address the team before the game. Remarkably, he was able to walk under his own power – something that seemed unlikely in the early aftermath.

There was a gusty wind and hard rain that turned to snow flurries as the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium progressed. The fired-up Bills scored the first two times they had the ball. In the game’s initial series, they drove 60 yards in seven plays that featured QB Trent Edwards throwing to WR Lee Evans for 21 yards and to RB Marshawn Lynch for 30 yards in a second-and-17 situation. Edwards finished off the drive with a pass to TE Michael Gaines in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.

Following a punt by the Giants, Buffalo went 66 yards in six plays, the big one of which was an Edwards completion to WR Roscoe Parrish for 42 yards to the New York four yard line. From there on the next play, Edwards tossed a TD pass to Evans. The score was 14-0 following a quarter of action.

Early in the second quarter, the Giants got a break due to a fumble by the Bills and gained possession at the Buffalo 23. QB Eli Manning completed a pass to WR Amani Toomer for 13 yards on a third-and-six play and the five-play series ended with RB Brandon Jacobs (pictured above) running six yards for a touchdown.

The Giants regained possession following a punt and the series was extended thanks to a roughing the kicker penalty when it appeared that they would go three-and-out. They took immediate advantage when, on the first play after the penalty, Jacobs took off on a 43-yard run for a TD. With the successful extra point, the score was tied at 14-14.

New York added more points following another short series by the Bills that ended with a punt. After two runs by Jacobs gained five yards, Manning passed to Toomer again on third-and-five for a 19-yard gain and the seven-play, 32-yard series ended with Lawrence Tynes kicking a 42-yard field goal that gave the Giants a 17-14 lead.

It seemed as though New York might score again before the half when they advanced to the Buffalo 26 on their next possession with time running out, but Manning fumbled when sacked by DE Aaron Schobel, who then recovered to end the threat and keep it a three-point contest at the intermission.

The Bills regained the lead quickly in the third quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, LB Keith Ellison intercepted a Manning pass and Lynch immediately ran 28 yards to set up his three-yard touchdown run. The successful conversion made it a four-point game with the home team on top at 21-17.

The Giants responded with a long drive that began at their 35 and put them in almost certain scoring position with a first down at the Buffalo one. Three running plays failed to reach the end zone and, going for it on fourth-and-one, RB Reuben Droughns was stopped for a four-yard loss and the Bills regained possession.

Buffalo ran three plays and punted, with the Giants starting with good field position at the Buffalo 45. Jacobs carried six straight times to advance the ball to the Buffalo 11 as the third quarter came to an end. However, the final period started off with Manning fumbling and DT Larry Tripplett recovering for the Bills at the 12. Any advantage for Buffalo was erased two plays later when an Edwards pass that bounced off the shoulder pad of Evans, the intended receiver, was intercepted by LB Kawika Mitchell, who returned it 20 yards for a TD. The Giants were up by 24-21 and wouldn’t look back.

The teams traded punts until Manning was picked off by CB Terrence McGee to give Buffalo the ball near midfield, but the Bills, who hadn’t shown much offense since the first quarter, were unable to advance and, following the ensuing punt, RB Ahmad Bradshaw took off on an 88-yard touchdown run that effectively put the game away. If there was any doubt, on the second play of Buffalo’s next possession Edwards again tossed an interception that was returned for a TD, this time by CB Corey Webster from 34 yards out. The Giants won by a final score of 38-21, with Coach Coughlin receiving a Gatorade bath on the sideline in celebration of nailing down a playoff spot.

New York outgained the Bills by 383 yards to 244, with 291 of that total coming on the ground – the most that the team had accumulated in a game since 1959. The Giants also had the edge in first downs (17 to 16). Each club turned the ball over four times. New York also recorded three sacks, all after star Buffalo OLT Jason Peters left the game with a groin injury in the second quarter.

Ahmad Bradshaw (pictured below), in a breakout performance highlighted by the long scoring run, gained 151 yards on 17 carries that included a TD and Brandon Jacobs, who left the game in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle, rushed for 143 yards and two TDs on 25 attempts. Eli Manning went to the air just 15 times and completed 7 for 111 yards with no touchdowns and two intercepted, along with two fumbles. Amani Toomer was far and away New York’s leading pass receiver with 5 catches for 99 yards while Plaxico Burress was held to one reception for six yards.

For the Bills, Marshawn Lynch rushed for 70 yards on 18 attempts that included one TD. Trent Edwards, under heavy pressure as the game progressed, was successful on only 9 of 26 throws for 161 yards with two for touchdowns but also three interceptions. Lee Evans had three catches for 43 yards and a TD.

“We knew what we had to do,” said Brandon Jacobs. “We knew the wind was going to be blowing and it was going to be a little rainy. So that is what you do in conditions like that – you run the ball.”

“We were going to put the ball on the ground and have success,” echoed Tom Coughlin. “We didn’t get ourselves into a situation where we felt like we had to do anything but run the ball.”

It was the seventh straight win on the road for the Giants, who finished second in the NFC East at 10-6 but then proceeded to catch fire in the playoffs. With Manning upping his game considerably and the defense playing at its best, New York won three straight postseason road games before upsetting the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Buffalo placed second in the AFC East at 7-9 and out of the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.

The power-running Brandon Jacobs ended up leading the Giants with 1009 yards on 202 carries (5.0 avg.) and four touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. Ahmad Bradshaw, little used in his first year except for returning kickoffs until late in the season, had just 190 yards on 23 attempts but saved his best for the postseason where he ran for 208 yards on 48 attempts (4.3 avg.) and a TD.