Giants Super Bowl DVD Out Tuesday

The Giants' Super Bowl DVD is finally here and Peter King in his MMQB column throws out some great nuggets about it:

As usual, some good nuggets in the Giants' Super Bowl DVD.

One of my favorite video events of the year is the hour-long Super Bowl winners' DVD, which goes on sale tonight at midnight and will debut in Times Square in New York this evening. We've already seen some of the good moments previewed on shows like "Inside the NFL'' on Showtime, and on NFL Network programming, the best of which was Bill Belichick in the Super Bowl imploring his defense -- right before Eli Manning rainbowed the greatest throw of his life into Mario Manningham's arms down the left sideline -- to watch out for Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, and let the Giants throw it to Manningham or Bear Pascoe.

The other points I enjoyed about Vivendi Entertainment's Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants:

• Good NFL Films slo-mo angles of stopping Vernon Davis in the NFC Championship Game. Tight, compelling shots. And a perfect angle on the ball grazing Kyle Williams' knee on the poor returner's muffed punt.

• Victor Cruz on the field before the Super Bowl, speaking to himself incredulously, sounding like a perfectly programmed Tom Coughlin football player. This Cruz talking to Victor Cruz: "I used to think it was all about me. It's about this team. THIS TEAM.''

• The mechanics of officiating on the early-game safety in the Super Bowl. After Tom Brady, standing in the pocket in the end zone, sails a pass way over any intended receiver, umpire Carl Paganelli rushes in to speak with ref John Parry in the end zone. "Nobody down there!'' Paganelli said. And Parry looked downfield and said, "He's [Brady] in the pocket.'' Good scene of how officials work together.

• Telling camera shot: After Chase Blackburn intercepted Brady, Brady sat glumly on the field. For three or four seconds, a teammate offered a hand to help Brady get up. Brady didn't.

• Cruz, again, watching the replay board after the incredible catch by Manningham down the sideline, during the replay review, seeing if Manningham did indeed make a legal catch: "Catch ... right ... left ... YEAH!!!!''

• New England linebacker Jerod Mayo in the huddle with a minute to play, telling his defense to play dead: "Huddle up! Huddle up! Gotta let 'em score! Gotta let 'em score!'' And they did.

• Finally, Tom Brady, with urgency, just before his Hail Mary on the final play of the game, to Aaron Hernandez: "Run to the goal post and catch it!'' That's exactly what Hernandez tried to do. And failed.

Good stuff, though I'm guessing it won't sell so well in the 617 area code.

Can't Wait.

OMFG The Giants Are In The Super Bowl: Party Like It's '07

Emotions running crazy, never giving up. The Giants are back in the Super Bowl for the second time in five years behind the brilliant play this season of our boy Eli Manning. Hard to explain, no need to explain.

From Don Banks on SI.com:

"Here's my favorite summation of this plucky Giants team, all wrapped up in one mind-boggling statistic: There have now been 92 Super Bowl teams in NFL history, and New York is the first one to have been outscored in the regular season (400 to 394). But somehow, I don't think the Giants care. Their story was never about how they started, it was about how they finished. And New York knows how to finish. Just ask the Jets, Cowboys, Falcons, Packers and 49ers, their past five opponents/victims."

"Manning's toughness and determination was on full display all night. San Francisco's tenacious defense sacked him six times, hit him some 20 times according to the FOX telecast, and limited him to just 5.4 yards per pass attempt. But they didn't beat him, and now he gets a rematch with New England's Tom Brady, meaning the Super Bowl will have a Manning in it for the fourth time in six years."

From ESPN New York:

"Eli Manning began the season telling everyone that he's an elite signal caller who should be considered on the same level as Tom Brady. Manning should add toughness to that list. Once again, the Giants' franchise quarterback proved not only how good he is, but how he may be the toughest player on Tom Coughlin's team. And now the best season of his life will end in the Super Bowl against Brady' Patriots."

From Peter King's MMQB on SI.com:

"How about this incredible Xerox of fate for the Giants.

In 2007, the Giants started the playoffs by beating an NFC South team. Then they beat the No. 1 seed on the road. Then they beat the No. 2 seed in the conference title game when the foe turned it over in overtime and gave the Giants a short field and the Giants won on a Lawrence Tynes overtime field goal. Then they moved on to face the Patriots in the Super Bowl."

In 2011, let's see ... NFC South team, No. 1 seed, No. 2 seed, overtime, turnover, Tynes, Patriots. Check.

One more thing:
2007: Giants lose to Washington 22-10 in Week 15.
2011: Giants lose to Washington 23-10 in Week 15.

--YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS SHIT UP

More from Peter:

The Fine Fifteen:

1. New York Giants (12-7). There's something about getting hot at the right time. The Giants have played five straight elimination games and won them all, which sounds a lot like the last time they played the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Defensive Players of the Week:

New York DL Justin Tuck. As usual, you could name two or three guys from the Giants' defensive front to this august honor. Tuck's 1.5 sacks and three pressures helped keep the Niners out of scoring position for 11 of their last 13 drives.

Special Teams Player of the Week:

New York LB Jacquian Williams. In overtime of the NFC title game, Williams stripped punt returner Kyle Williams at the Niners' 24-yard line. Devin Thomas recovered, and the Giants kicked the winning field goal five plays later.

Coach of the Week:

New York head coach Tom Coughlin. For a guy who's been fired at least 65 times in the last five years, Coughlin sure can organize, plan, motivate and game-day-coach exceedingly well. That showed with a poised team that understood the basics of how to win this game: Don't turn it over ... punting is fine ... you'll be in position to win at the end. And the Giants were.

Eli vs Brady rematch in the house that Peyton built. Let's do it boys.

NFL Playoffs: Attack the Pack

Giants take down the mighty Pack and set up a huge NFC Championship matchup with a team they may have been able to beat earlier in the year, the San Francisco 49ers.

From friend of the Breeze and all around g money all star Gary Hartman:

"I said after the last GB game that they were very beatable, just needed the right test and that I'd love to see them again. This being said, GIANTS FOOTBALL BABY. What a game! We dominated in every facet. Yeah they dropped passes but doesn't change the fact that we simply out played them. Playing unbelievably right now.Eli and Nicks truly are Gods. Defense is playing at a different level and everyone from coaching down is stepping up huge. PLAYING FOR THE SUPERBOWL BABY!!!! Bring on San Fran!!!"

From Peter King at SI.com:

Quote of the Week II:

"How the hell is that not a fumble?''
-- Giants play-by-play man Bob Papa, on the Giants Radio Network, after ref Bill Leavy did not overturn a first-quarter non-fumble call against the Packers. (SERIOUSLY..how???)

One of the Offensive Players of the Week: "New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks. His second straight strong playoff game -- seven catches for 165 yards, with two touchdowns -- is reason enough to honor him. But the dagger he plunged into the Packers just before halftime was the play of the game. "Those Hail Marys work about twice a year,'' said Tom Coughlin. Nicks, with the help of a Packer defense that was far too passive near the goal line, caught the 37-yard fly ball from Manning cleanly, and the Giants went into halftime up by 10, not three. Huge factor.

One of the Defensive Players of the Week: "New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora. After Umenyiora batted the ball out of Rodgers' right hand, FOX showed clearly how incredibly open Greg Jennings was down the left sideline. Umenyiora saved a touchdown, clearly. For the day, he had two sacks for 12 yards, and the forced fumble."

One of the Special Teams Players of the Week: "New York Giants S Derrick Martin. It's one thing to tell your front players on the kick-return team to stay alert for an onside kick. It's another thing for every guy on the line to wait until the ball is kicked. Martin and his mates did wait for Mason Crosby to kick it deep in the first half -- and when Crosby pooched an onside kick, it went right into the arms of the waiting Martin, who is a former Packer, by the way. Smart, smart play by Martin."

More King:

"I must be the only guy in America who didn't think his non-reversal on the Greg Jennings fumble or non-fumble was horrible. But his blow-to-Rodgers'-head call, extending a desperation fourth-quarter drive, was a fictitious call if I ever saw one. I wouldn't expect to see Leavy doing any games until next September."

Some stats and interesting nuggets:

-The Giants are Giant killers in the postseason. In terms of difference of wins during the regular season, the Giants have authored the 3 biggest wins in NFL postseason history. The Giants have defeated three teams that had won at least 5 more games than they did during the regular season. In fact, they own the two 6-win differential games with Sunday and back in Super Bowl XLII when they knocked off the unbeaten Patriots.

-Hakeem Nicks had 165 yards receiving in Saturday night's upset victory. That total is the second-most in a playoff game in Giants history.

-Eli Manning threw for 330 yards, the 3rd-most in a single postseason game in Giants history.

-Hakeem Nicks has two TD receptions of 66 or more yards this postseason. He's the 2nd player in NFL history with 2 TD receptions that long in a single postseason, joining Isaac Bruce of the 1999 Rams.

Let's go G-Men.

NFL Wild Card Weekend: Anything Can Happen

Hey why not us? Giants dominate the Falcons setting up a rematch with the Pack in Green Bay.

From Sports Illustrated:

"In winning their first playoff game since upending the unbeaten Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, the Giants finally showed themselves to be a complete team after relying on Manning's arm (he threw a career-high 4,933 yards) for most of 2011."

From the head Ball Coach Tommy Coughs:

"The two fourth-down stops were just outstanding. Those plays that our defense made really inspired everybody. If we continue to play defense like that, we can make ourselves heard in this tournament. "

From ESPN New York: Eli.....the athlete?

"The timing of the play," Tom Coughlin said of Manning's scramble, "was outstanding."

Atlanta was holding a 2-0 lead -- Greg Maddux had a one-hitter going -- when Manning faked a third-and-2 handoff to Jacobs, dropped back and looked downfield. Six minutes into the second quarter, the Giants had no successful third-down conversions to their name, and the MetLife crowd was already giving off that uneasy vibe felt in the old place in the squandered postseason openers of '05 and '08.

John Abraham was closing fast on Manning, and the quarterback felt the heat of his vile intentions, stepped up and took off through the gaping hole that had been the left side of the line, kicking free of the diving, flailing Abraham. As Eli "raced" Sean Weatherspoon to the sideline, he huffed and puffed and, finally, mercifully, hit the brakes and veered out of bounds.

From ESPN's Grantland:

"Twice yesterday, the New York Giants defense faced that moment, the primal of the primal, and twice they stopped the Atlanta Falcons. (The Giants also blew up the Falcons on a third-and-short situation.) And twice you saw the Atlanta offensive line suddenly find itself moving up and not forward, as though they were a wave and the New York offensive line were a seawall. Twice, the Giants hurled them back, and if you want to know why New York is going back to Green Bay next week to face the Packers in yet another playoff game, and if you want to know how an NFL playoff game ends up with a baroque score like 24-2, then look to those two moments. As a defensive end, Osi Umenyiora plays outside the main contact area where fourth-and-short explodes, but he knows what he hears."

"To be honest. Yes, I was a little insulted. I felt a little disrespected."

From friend of the Breeze Peter King:

"Excellent coverage by Corey Webster on Falcon wideout Roddy White, who had but two catches for eight yards in the first 37 minutes of the Atlanta loss."

Happy New year Giants fans, the team is clicking at the exact right time. Let's go!

NFL Week 14: They Did What?!?!?

An astute analysis of the Week 14 thrillll-fest between the Giants and Cowboys from friend of the Breeze Gary Hartman:

"NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL. NEVER GIVE UP. ALWAYS RESILIENT. In a five minute period we go from season being over to being a first place team. Now, I will be the first person to tell you that our defense sucks. Plain and simple play calling is awful and execution is even worse. 10 out of 11 players on the defensive end were playing with their heads up their asses the whole game. That needs to be fixed.

Jason Pierre-Paul is a freak of nature. Blocking that kick was simply unreal. He would be by far our MVP so far this season if it weren't for that one guy. Eli Manning is absolutely, unbelievable, undoubtedly simply amazing. ELI-te for sure. Best fourth quarter QB in the league and it is not even close. He never gives up, never stops fighting ( through dropped passes, constant blitzes, tipped balls) and it paid off today. Look at this offense when it has a run game! Put up 37 and that is with settling for 2 FGs and the unlucky turnover. Brandon Jacobs deserves a huge shout out.

Great game for Nicks too. O-Line was great in the run game not as good as it looked in the pass game, that is again credited to Eli. Blitzes in his face and he makes perfect throws, he is again unreal. Defense has to get its shit together. We control our own destiny. Fuck the Cowgirls. New York Giants Football. First place. Washington next week, Fewell get it together and let's run the table like we are capable of doing with Eli at the helm. GMEN."

Here we go boys. On to the next one.

NFL Week 12: Another One Bites the Dust

An astute analysis of the Giants latest from friend of the Breeze and certified G Money All Star, Gary Hartman:

"Everyone not named Eli Manning, coaches included (actually coaches especially) associated with the New York Football Giants should be extremely embarrassed. This has been the most pathetic display of Giants football that I've seen in a real long time. I'm not a big fan of jumping to people losing their jobs but Fewell needs to go right now. I understand that coaches don't play but it is their job to put players in position to be the most successful and the defenisve performance from play calling down has been absolutely pitiful tonight. Just gross. We are pounded with injuries, have no run game, no offensive line, receivers who drop balls, a defense who plays with no heart and seemingly no talent whose captain even gives up on plays. (That was very upsetting to see and tells me all I need to know about this team). This being said, again everyone not named Eli Manning should be ashamed. From Coughlin down, this team needs to get its shit together. I am very upset with this performance. I hope something changes for Green Bay next week, right now I don't even want to go home for the game. Ugh, embarrassed to be 'Giants status guy' right now."

Not another collapse! Come on guys, get it together. See you next week Packers....Shit.

Football is Back

After a lengthy lockout, finally the NFL on Sunday is back. No matter what team you love weekends are just not the same without some footy ball.

A Day To Remember

....and on this day we remember the greatest Super Bowl of all time. Thanks David Tyree's helmet. Thanks Eli Manning's jersey. Thanks Rodney Harrison's steroid taking ass. Thanks Plax, kinda. Thanks Steve Smith's hands. And fuck you Assante Samuel. Best. Super Bowl. Ever.

Third Time's A Charm?

By Matt Jussim

Third time’s a charm? That is what the Giants are hoping as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at the Meadowlands. The division rivals know each other all too well, and have split the two games they have played this season.

Each time, the road team was victorious. The Giants visited Philly on November 9th and defeated the Eagles 36-31. Eli Manning threw two touchdowns, while Brandon Jacobs rushed for two as well. The second time the teams faced off the Eagles prevailed 20-14 at the Giants Stadium. Brian Westbrook dominated the defense in that game, almost out gaining the entire Giants team amassing 211 total yards.

If the Giants hope to advance in the playoffs, the defense will have to find an answer for Westbrook. Justin Tuck didn’t practice on Wednesday, but Coach Tom Coughlin expects him to work out Thursday and play on Sunday. The Giants will need a supreme effort from Tuck, who has to return to his early season form. He has had only one sack in the past four games.

The Eagles were the only team to beat the Giants at the Meadowlands this season, but that does not guarantee success on Sunday. “We haven’t forgotten that game,” said defensive tackle Barry Cofield. “It wasn’t very long ago. They came in here and beat us up. So we owe them something.”

The Giants didn’t play particularly well in that game, and they wish to erase that memory with a win over their division rivals. “In that game we didn’t rush the ball, we didn’t pass the ball, we didn’t have many snaps,” Coach Tom Coughlin said. “They had the ball, they had time of possession. So it was disappointing from that standpoint. We had a drive at the end of the game that put us a little bit closer, but it didn’t say much about that game.”

Many voices in the sports community have been hailing the Eagles as the second coming of the 2007 Giants, which the team takes a bit personally. “There’s a strong dislike for one another,” said guard Chris Snee. “Anytime you get a chance to knock out a divisional opponent, one that you don’t like, you get geeked up for these challenges. I think both sides would agree that to knock the other one out would make the other one happy.”

Talk that the Giants may falter I think will just motivate the team even more to win the game on Sunday. Every time the media or anyone counts the Giants out, they find a way to win. They did it in the Super Bowl last year, and they did it against Carolina in Week 16 when everyone counted them out.

I predict a close, high-emotion game, but the Giants take this one, and advance to the NFC Championship game.

Giants Fall But Are Primed For Playoff Run

By Matt Jussim

With home field advantage and a first round bye already clinched, the Giants had little to gain by winning on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings on the other hand could secure the #3 seed and the NFC North division crown by beating the defending Super Bowl champions.

Minnesota came from behind and won the game 20-19 on Ryan Longwell’s 50-yard field goal as time expired. The win gave the Vikings their first division title since 2000, and set themselves for a home playoff game versus the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday.

Even with the loss, the Giants third in four games, the team was fairly optimistic. The Vikings were the tenth straight team the Giants faced with a winning record, and Eli Manning only played the first half of the game. New York was also without cornerback Aaron Ross, tight end Kevin Boss, and defensive tackle Barry Cofield.

Derrick Ward earned a significant achievement in the game by rushing for 77 yards on 15 carries, finishing the regular season with 1,025 yards. He joined his teammate Brandon Jacobs, who rushed for 1,089 yards, as only the fourth pair of running backs to both total 1,000 rushing yards on the season.

Jacobs sat out the game due to a knee injury. This past season the Giants had the league’s best rushing attack, and the fact that both Ward and Jacobs each eclipsed 1,000 yards is a huge accomplishment for the team as well as both players. “This is a dream come true,” Ward said.

The Giants will have to wait and see who their opponent will be in two weeks. Even though the game came down to just one play, not everyone on the losing side was so optimistic. “You think we are happy because we lost?” linebacker Antonio Pierce said. “No. We are not. But that’s over with. The regular season is over. It doesn’t matter. It’s like talking about last year’s Super Bowl. It’s irrelevant.”

Along with that, the Giants suffered two more injuries. Free safety Michael Johnson left the game with a thigh bruise, but the more serious was to veteran cornerback Sam Madison. He left the Metrodome on crutches after breaking his right ankle. “The doctors told me, ‘Don’t move it, just stabilize it,’ ” Madison said.

John Carney, who was selected to the Pro Bowl this season, hit four field goals of 51, 30, 42 and 20 yards. But Carney neglected an opportunity to put the Giants up by 5 after he missed a 48-yard field goal with a little more than three minutes left in the game. Amazingly that was Carney’s first outright miss of the season. He had two kicks blocked previously, but other than that had connected on all his attempts this year, finishing 35 of 38 on the season.

The Giants trailed by 10-0 early in the second quarter, but three field goals by Carney cut the deficit to 10-9 at halftime. They got their first touchdown and first lead when David Carr replaced Eli Manning at quarterback for the second half and connected with Domenik Hixon on a 23-yard scoring play to give the Giants a 16-10 lead with 9:29 left in the third quarter.

After Carney’s fourth field goal, Minnesota cut the Giants’ lead to 19-17 with 9:26 left in the fourth quarter on a 54-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to Bernard Berrian, who got behind the rookie cornerback Terrell Thomas when Thomas fell down.

That touchdown was among several worrisome plays for the Giants, but the team did not harp on the negative aspects of the game too much. “It would have been nice to win this game, but it is not the end of the world,” Manning said

Coach Tom Coughlin set the teams sights on the future once the game was over. “We are 12 and 4,” he said. “The regular season is over, and we do have the week off. We will use it wisely.”

Game Notes: With the success Derrick Ward has had this season; chances are the Giants will not be able to retain him after the season. Both Ward and starting running back Brandon Jacobs will be free agents at year’s end. It is unclear if the Giants will be able to keep both players. Much like Ladanian Tomlinson’s former backup Michael Turner, who rushed for 1,669 yards with the Falcons this year, Ward could find himself as a starting running back next season. While Ward is a fine player, I think he is best suited as the secondary back, as he has been this year with the Giants. Ward, along with Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are known as “Earth, Wind and Fire.” I think it would be smart of the Giants to try and keep Ward, due to the success they have had this season. But the demand for a hard nose, strong effort guy like Ward will be high this off-season, and he may leave the G-men for “greener” pastures.

Coughlin Will Play It Smart Against the Vikings

By Matt Jussim

Will they or won’t they?

That is the question heading into this weekends Giants game. Will Tom Coughlin rest his starters? The coach said that he would do what is in the best interest of the Giants, but did not say if or how much his starters would play in the season finale on Sunday.

"My answer to all of your questions will be that in conjunction with the medical people and with the idea of improving our game, having individuals perform at a higher level than we did in the last game, which is always our theme, we will do the best thing for our football team," Coughlin said.

The Giants have already clinched a first round bye and home field advantage through the playoffs, so they don’t really have anything to play for on Sunday. But try getting that past Coach Coughlin. "The week off comes after the last game," the coach said yesterday.

Last year the Giants had everything to gain, and barley anything to lose when they faced the undefeated Patriots to finish the regular season. Everyone knew Tom Coughlin would have his team play hard. He has an immense respect for the game and I think everyone realized that he wouldn’t allow an undefeated season to occur against the Giants practice squad.

New York wasn’t expected to win that game by any stretch, but if they could somehow pull it out, or at least keep the game close, it would have given the team some confidence going into the playoffs. We all know how that ended up.

This time around though, the Giants will be facing a team that hasn’t even clinched a playoff spot. And if Minnesota ends up winning the game and making the postseason, they will be the team with some confidence, and set themselves up for a possible a playoff rematch with New York.

As of right now, the Giants are unsure who will venture to the Meadowlands for the NFC divisional playoff game that will take place two weeks from now. There is a possibility that the team could be the Vikings.

That could complicate things for the Giants. Not only must they decide if the should rest some of their players, they also need to think about what schemes they will and will not show to a team they could possibly play again in the future.

Some players will definitely be resting this weekend. According to the Associated Press cornerback Aaron Ross will miss Sunday’s game due to a concussion, and at least four other starters are listed as questionable for the season finale.

Tight end Kevin Boss (concussion/ankle) was listed as doubtful on the injury report this week, and Brandon Jacobs (knee), defensive tackle Barry Cofield (knee), and offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie (back) were questionable.

Ross suffered his concussion in last Sunday’s game against the Panthers. "My head is still hurting sometimes, but as far as every thing else, I don't know nothing," the cornerback said. "I haven't had a chance to do anything, so I don't know how far along I am. I have to listen to them. I have to get out of here, my head is still hurting." Kevin Dockery will join Corey Webster as the starting cornerbacks for this Sunday’s game.

Tight end Boss was injured twice in the Panthers game. He suffered a concussion, and then later on rolled his ankle while making a catch later in the game.

Jacobs practiced earlier in the week, but he did not participate on Friday. He might be the one starter who needs some rest more than anyone. He has been hurting recently, and due to his powerful running style, he is more inclined to be injured than some of the Giants other players.

If Jacobs does not play, it would also give Derrick Ward a better chance gain the 52 yards he needs to reach 1,000 yards on the season. If he does it would make the Giants the fourth team in NFL history to have two running back rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

"We prepare like there is only one objective in mind and that is to win," Coughlin said. Whether the Giants win or lose on Sunday, their number one goal will to remain healthy and well rested for their NFC divisional playoff game in two weeks.

Giants Lock Down Home Field Advantage in Overtime

By Matt Jussim

The New York Giants reestablished themselves as the best team in the NFC last night. They finally emerged from a two game sleepwalk and secured the top seed in the postseason by coming from behind and beating the Carolina Panthers 34-28 in overtime.

The road to the Super Bowl in the NFC will now go through the Meadowlands as the Giants improved to 12-3 on the season.

Determined not to lose, the Giants running attack of Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw, known as “Earth, Wind and Fire” were poised to run over the Panthers. But with Brandon Jacobs still slowed by a knee injury, and Ahmad Bradshaw returning kick offs and punts Sunday night, Ward took his nickname “Wind” to heart.

Fighting the frigid, swirling wind in the Meadowlands, Ward rushed for a career high 215 yards on only 15 carries. He averaged 14.3 yards per rush, and was dominant on the winning drive in overtime by rushing for 82 yards on three carries. Bruising running back Jacobs bullied his way into the end zone for the winning 2-yard score in overtime, his third of the game.

Fans who were crazy enough to stand the punishing, frozen wind threw snoballs that rained down like confetti as Jacobs scored to win the game.

Ward has had a respectable season so far, but he always took second billing to starting running back Brandon Jacobs. But with Jacobs still not fully healed from a knee injury, Ward took advantage of his opportunity and had the best game of his career.

“My teammates looked at me and said they wanted me to get it done,” Ward said. “I looked in every one of my offensive linemen’s eyes and they had my back. We played smashmouth football.”

Offensive tackle David Diehl, also helped spring Ward for some of his best runs. “This game was a true sign of us,” Diehl said. “Things aren’t going to be perfect. But none of us pressed. We talked all week about how this would be a test of will. This is what the in December is all about.”

The Giants forced overtime when Jacobs scored his second touchdown of the game, and Eli Manning hit Domenik Hixon for the two point conversion which tied the game with 3:21 seconds to play.

The loss spoiled a record-tying, four-touchdown performance by Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, who gave Carolina a 28-20 lead with a 30-yard TD run 2 minutes into the final quarter. He also scored on runs of 13, 5 and 1 yards.

The Panthers had a chance to win the game in regulation but the wind at Giants Stadium pushed John Kasey's 50-yard field-goal attempt wide left, leaving some hope for fans that the Giants could still pull this game out.

The Giants won the coin toss in the overtime but couldn't generate anything, and the Panthers followed suit on their possession. The game nearly took a terrible turn for the Giants when R.W. McQuarters muffed a punt at the Giants 13. He emerged from a pile with the ball and then Ward took over.

On first-and-10 from the 13, Ward went 51 yards to Carolina 36. Three plays later on third-and-7, he went 14 yards to the 19 and followed that with a 17-yarder to the 2. Jacobs scored on the next play, capping a night New York rushed for a season-high 301 yards.

Until late in the game, it looked like the Panthers and Williams had overcome the elements, and were ready to hand the Giants their third straight loss. Carolina scored touchdowns the first three times they had the ball. The last touchdown came a play after a Tom Coughlin challenge left Steve Smith a half-yard shy on a play that originally was ruled a TD.

Carolina had eight plays of 10 yards or more on the drives of 77, 66 and 65 yards. The biggest play was a 60-yard pass from Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad on a pass that went right through the hands of Giants cornerback Aaron Ross..

John Carney got New York to with 21-13 with a 35-yard field goal late in the half, and then the Giants defense started to play as they had the first half of the season, limiting Carolina to seven second-half points.

Justin Tuck, the defensive end headed for the Pro Bowl, was weak with flu-like symptoms and had to be helped off the field twice. “I’m gong to go back home and get into bed,” he said. “This win was huge. The atmosphere in the stadium was tremendous.”

New York closed the gap to 21-20 when Manning found a wide-open Kevin Boss for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 59 seconds to go in third quarter. It capped a 12-play, 84-yard marched that took more than eight minutes.

Carolina came roaring back, and restored their eight-point lead when Williams, who gained 108 yards on 24 carries, broke a tackle by Antonio Pierce and ran 30 yards for a touchdown.

The Giants' tying touchdown was set up by a spectacular coffin-corner punt by Jeff Feagles, a 12-yard pass from Manning to Boss and a pass-interference call in the end zone against Ken Lucas, one play later.

The Giants needed this win to prove that they were still the class of the NFC. As important as the win was, there still are questions the Giants will have to answer if they hope to make it to the Super Bowl.

Will Brandon Jacobs be able to stay healthy? With Jacobs back in the lineup, the Giants rushing game was fierce, and Derrick Ward performs much better when he isn’t the feature back. Jacobs gave the Giants the physical running presence that they lacked the past two weeks, especially in the loss to Dallas.

Although the defense played extremely well in the second half, DeAngelo Williams was able to run free in the first half, scoring three of his four touchdowns. The Giants have been a top ten defense all season, but with Williams running wild, its been a theme for the defense the past few weeks. Philadelpha’s Brian Westbrook, and Dallas’ Tashard Choice totaled 131 and 143 yards respectively against the Giants, both losses.

Just when everyone counts out the Giants, as they did the past two weeks when they averaged just 11 points per game, and 80 yards rushing, the team comes together, and wins games as they did last night.

Heading into next week’s game against Minnesota, the Giants don’t have much to play for considering they now have secured home field advantage through the playoffs. The team will be well rested by the playoffs, with Tom Coughlin most likely resting some of his starters next week, something he did not do last year in Week 17 when the Giants took on the 16-0 Patriots.

Game Notes: It’s amazing what a little confidence can do for a player. A year and a half ago, cornerback Corey Webster was seen as a draft bust, playing on special teams, and barely being able to crack the starting lineup. But with some stellar play during the playoffs, due in part to an injury to Sam Madison, Webster transformed himself from a possible bust to a possible superstar. Webster has played well this season, but last night he stepped up big, breaking up two huge third down passes forcing the Panthers to punt back to the Giants. A little more than a week ago he signed a 5 year $43.5 million dollar deal with the team. It’s amazing what a few interceptions can do for a players confidence.