New York, NY

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck fired back at a comment by linebacker Clay Matthews, asserting their stunning division playoff win against the Green Bay Packers was not given but earned.

The 29-year-old Tuck made a quick response to an earlier assertion by Matthews, who believes the Packers let the win slip away.

"Thank you for giving us the game, Clay," Tuck told ESPN. "I appreciate it a lot." "Did they play their best ball?" Tuck continued. "I don't know. But we won the football game. I don't think they gave us anything."

In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Matthews stated the Giants did not beat his team but the Packers beat themselves.

"The Packers picked the most inopportune time to play our worst ball ... The fact is, (the Giants) didn't beat us; we beat ourselves," Matthews said to Yahoo! Sports. "We need to play our best ball when it counts. This year, I expect us to be right back where we should be," Matthews told Yahoo Sports.

Tuck explained the fumbles and errors committed by the Packers in the game were products of the Giants aggressive defense.

"When they fumbled the ball, I think it was us that stripped it out. We sacked them. I think it was us who beat their O-linemen and got to (Aaron) Rodgers. So I don't think they just Ole'd everything and gave us the game. I think they were trying to win."

The Giants shell-shocked the highly-favorite Packers, 37-20, in the NFC division round last postseason on their way to winning Super Bowl XLVI.

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