New York Giants Regular Season Review

The Giants (12-4) Finished the Regular Season as the NFC's Best Team

The Giants, owners of the NFC's best record during the regular season, earned a first round playoff bye.

The Giants led the NFL in rushing yardage per game with 157.4 and yards per carry (5.0). It is the first time the Giants led the NFL in rushing since 1993.

The Giants ran for a franchise-record 2,518 yards in 2008 with Brandon Jacobs leading the way with 1,089 yards. The other members of the Giants' three-headed running attack have combined for 1,380 yards with Derrick Ward accounting for 1,025 yards and Ahmad Bradshaw 355.

With both Jacobs and Ward topping 1,000 yards rushing, the Giants became the fourth team in history to have two running backs rush for at least 1,000 yards, joining the 1972 Miami Dolphins (Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris), 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers (Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier) and 1985 Cleveland Browns (Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner). The 2006 Atlanta Falcons had two 1,000 yard rushers, running back Warrick Dunn (1,140) and quarterback Michael Vick (1,039).

Brandon Jacobs started 13 games (missed Arizona, Dallas and Minneosta games with a knee injury). Jacobs rushed for 1,089 yards and 15 touchdowns on 219 carries, and caught 6 passes for 36 yards.

Derrick Ward played in all 16 games with three starts and rushed for a career-high 1,025 yards and 2 touchdowns on 182 carries. Ward added 41 receptions for 384 yards and returned one kickoff for 21 yards this season.

Ahmad Bradshaw played in 15 games with 355 yards rushing and a touchdown on 67 carries. Bradshaw caught 5 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown and returned 39 kickoffs 867 yards.

In 2008, QB Eli Manning started all 16 games and was selected to his first Pro Bowl

Manning completed 289 of 479 passes for 3,238 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, making him the first Giants quarterback in history to both throw for 3,000 yards and throw 20 touchdown passes in four consecutive seasons. Eli had a career-high passer rating of 86.4 this season and also rushed 20 times for 10 yards and a touchdown.

WR Amani Toomer played in all 16 games with 13 starts and caught 48 passes for 580 yards and 4 touchdowns. WR Steve Smith played in all 16 games with 3 starts and caught a team-high 57 passes for 574 yards and a touchdown. WR Domenik Hixon played in all 16 games with 7 starts and caught 43 passes for 596 yards and two touchdowns plus rushed twice for 26 yards. On Special Teams, Hixon returned 24 punts for 242 yards and three kickoffs for 180 yards. Hixon also has nine solo special teams tackles.

TE Kevin Boss started all 15 games in which he played and caught 33 passes for 384 and 6 touchdowns, all career highs. Boss also has a fumble recovery on special teams.

The Giants finished the season sixth in the NFL with 42 sacks, including a career-high 12 by defensive end Justin Tuck.

Last season the Giants led the league with 53 quarterback sacks. When Michael Strahan took his 141.5 career sacks into retirement it prompted much speculation about how his absence would affect the Giants' pass rush. Those concerns were exacerbated when Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora, the Giants' sack leader each of the last four seasons, suffered a season-ending knee injury on Aug. 23. With the retirement of Strahan (9.0 2007 sacks), injury to Umenyiora (13.0), and free agent losses of Kawika Mitchell (3.5), and Reggie Torbor (1.0), the Giants came into the 2008 season missing 26.5, or exactly half of their 2007 sack total.

DE Justin Tuck started all 16 games and has 65 tackles (51 solo), a team-high 12 sacks for 84.5 yards, and interception he returned 41 yards for a touchdown, 2 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, and a blocked kick. The 12 sacks are a career-high. DE Mathias Kiwanuka started all 16 games and had 51 tackles (35 solo), a career-high 8.5 sacks for 63 yards, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a pass defensed.

DT Fred Robbins started all 14 games in which he played, and had 36 tackles (29 solo), 5.5 sacks for 34.5 yards, two passes defensed, and a blocked kick. DT Barry Cofield started all 15 games in which he played and had 44 tackles (32 solo), 3.0 sacks for 14 yards, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed.

MLB Antonio Pierce started all 15 games in which he has played. Missed the game vs. San Francisco with a quad injury. Pierce had 94 tackles (72 solo), one sack for 9 yards, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed. SLB Danny Clark played in all 16 games with 15 starts and had 67 tackles (41 solo), a pass defensed, a forced fumble, and two solo special teams tackles. WLB Chase Blackburn played in all 16 games with eight starts, one at middle linebacker and seven at weakside linebacker. Blackburn had 43 tackles (27 solo), one sack for 13 yards, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 18 special teams tackles (13 solo).

CB Corey Webster started all 16 games and had 50 tackles (48 solo), three interceptions for 65 yards, a sack for three yards, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 24 passes defensed. CB Aaron Ross started all 15 games in which he played and had 52 tackles (46 solo), three interceptions for 58 yards, including one returned 50 yards for a touchdown, and 8 passes defensed. Ross was Inactive at Minnesota with a concussion. Safety James Butler played in 15 games with 14 starts and had 64 tackles (50 solo), three interceptions for 62 yards, a fumble recovery, seven passes defensed plus four solo special teams tackles. Safety Michael Johnson started all 16 games at free safety and had 66 tackles (41 solo), two interceptions for 18 yards, a sack for 13 yards, a fumble recovery, and four passes defensed plus six solo tackles on special teams.

Punter Jeff Feagles finished the 2008 season with a 44.0-yard gross average and a career-high 40.2-yard net average on 64 punts.

Kicker John Carney was 35-for-38 on field goals and converted all his PATs for a total of 143 points this season.

New York Giants (12-4) NFL 2008 Regular Season

 

NFL 2008 Game 1: New York Giants 16 Washington Redskins 7

The two teams kicked off the 2008 NFL regular season on September 4, a 16-7 Giants victory at Giants Stadium.

The Giants offense sputtered for much of the game, but the defense was dominant. All of the scoring was in the first half. Eli Manning scored on a one yard run and 44-year-old kicker John Carney kicked field goals of 24, 25 and 47 yards. The Giants also benefitted from big performances by Brandon Jacobs (116 rushing yards) and Plaxico Burress (10 receptions for 133 yards). Manning completed 19 of 35 passes for 216 yards and an interception.

But it was the Giants defense that powered this victory. The Washington Redskins gained just 209 yards. The Redskins had 11 first downs, 84 rushing yards and possessed the ball for only 24:17. The Redskins went three-and-out on four of their seven possessions in the first three quarters. Washington's only score was a 12-yard Campbell touchdown pass to Santana Moss with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.

Despite holding their 16-7 halftime lead, the Giants were frustrated because they out-gained Washington, 241-51, and thought the advantage should have been larger.

NFL 2008 Game 2: New York Giants 41, Saint Louis Rams 13

The Giants continued their remarkable success away from Giants Stadium with a resounding 41-13 rout of the St. Louis Rams in the Edward Jones Dome.

The Giants scored 21 unanswered points in the final 7:18 to break open a close game and secure their most one sided road victory in a dozen years (35-7 at Detroit on Oct. 27, 1996). St. Louis dropped to 0-2.

The Giants have won 11 consecutive road games (eight in the regular season and three in the postseason). If the neutral-site Super Bowl XLII is included, their winning streak away from Giants Stadium is 12 games.

New York improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2005.

After this week's game against Cincinnati they have a bye. The Giants had a lengthy list of big contributors. Eli Manning threw touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Ahmad Bradshaw and the latter also closed the scoring with a 31-yard run. The offense rolled up 441 yards and 25 first downs. Brandon Jacobs (93), Derrick Ward (58) and Bradshaw (52) combined for 203 rushing yards. Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith also had big catches.

Defensively, Justin Tuck grabbed a Marc Bulger pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. Tuck and Fred Robbins each contributed two sacks to the Giants' six-sack assault.

St. Louis scored on a pair of 54-yard field goals by Josh Brown and an improbable 45-yard touchdown pass from Bulger to Torry Holt that pulled the Rams to within 20-13 early in the fourth quarter. But the Rams gained a paltry 25 total yards on their final three possessions.

NFL 2008 Game 3: New York Giants 26, Cincinnati Bengals 23 OT

The Giants remained undefeated with a 26-23 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 21 in Giants Stadium.

John Carney's 22-yard field goal 6:21 into the extra period ended a wild game that included four lead changes and three ties. The teams scored three times in the final 4:39 of regulation, including a touchdown by the Giants with 1:50 remaining and Shayne's Graham's game-tying field goal as time expired.

When the dust had settled, the Giants were 3-0 for the first time since 2000 heading into their bye.

The Giants improved to 16-4 (.800) in games prior to a regular season bye. Tom Coughlin is 9-4 in pre-bye games, including 4-1 with the Giants.

John Carney, who earned the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for his performance, kicked two extra points and four field goals of 24, 46, 26, and the game-winning 22-yarder in overtime for the Giants.

Eli Manning completed 26 of 43 passes for 289 yards, a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Boss, and did not throw an interception for the second week in a row. Steve Smith had career-high totals of seven receptions for 60 yards. Ward was the leading rusher with 80 yards. Brandon Jacobs scored the Giants' other touchdown.

The defense sacked Carson Palmer six times, including two by Fred Robbins. Antonio Pierce had 13 tackles (10 solo) and Kevin Dockery had nine (eight solo).

The Bengals scored on field goals of 22, 30, and 21 yards by Shane Graham, a 25-yard run by Chris Perry, and a 17-yard pass from Palmer to T.J. Houshmandzsadeh.

NFL 2008 Game 4: New York Giants 44, Seattle Seahawks 6

The Giants are playing so well, not even the annual regular season bye can stunt their momentum. The team that has often stumbled after a week off soared to a rousing 44-6 dismantling of the Seattle Seahawks in Giants Stadium.

The Giants improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1990.

They won their third home game, matching their Giants Stadium victory total in each of the previous two seasons, and they improved to 5-15 in games following a bye.

The 38-point margin of victory was the Giants' largest in the regular season since a 62-10 victory over the Philadelphia on Nov. 26, 1972 and their biggest in any game since a 41-0 rout of Minnesota in the 2000 NFC Championship Game on Jan. 14, 2001.

Although leading receiver Plaxico Burress did not play (suspended for one game for violating a team rule), the Giants scored on their first six possessions and did not punt until the third quarter. They gained 523 yards (254 on the ground), the eighth-highest total in franchise history. The Giants had 12 plays that gained 15 or more yards.

John Carney continued his perfect season with three field goals. Eli Manning completed 19 of 25 passes for 267 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a career highs in passer rating (136.6) and completion percentage (76%).

With Burress out, Domenik Hixon, Amani Toomer and Sinorice Moss caught four passes apiece. Hixon and Moss got their first career touchdown receptions on passes from Manning, while Moss -- who didn't get off the sideline in either of the previous two games - added a second score from David Carr.

The Giants were just as dominant defensively, limiting the Seahawks to a pair of Olindo Mare field goals, 187 total yards, 74 rushing yards and one success in 11 third down opportunities.

NFL 2008 Game 5: Cleveland Browns 35, New York Giants 14

Playing without the crisp execution on offense and sturdiness on defense that had been hallmarks of their eight-game winning streak, including four in the postseason, the Giants fell to the Cleveland Browns, 35-14, on the winner's home field.

The defeat was the Giants' first since the 2007 regular season finale against New England and dropped their record this year to 4-1. It also ended their road winning streak at 11 games (eight regular season, three postseason), which was tied for the second-longest in NFL history. Including Super Bowl XLII, the Giants had won 12 consecutive games away from their home field.

The offense committed three turnovers (all on Eli Manning interceptions) and scored just two touchdowns despite four trips inside the Cleveland 10-yard line. The defense surrendered 454 yards, had neither a sack nor a takeaway, never forced a punt and enabled the Browns to convert nine of 13 third-down opportunities, a 69 percent success rate.

Brandon Jacobs scored on a seven-yard run and Manning threw a short touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress for the Giants. Manning was also intercepted three times, including a backbreaker by cornerback Eric Wright, who returned the ball 94 yards for the touchdown that gave the Browns a 21-point lead with 8:07 remaining.

Derek Anderson threw touchdown passes to Darnell Dinkins and Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis ran in for another score and Phil Dawson kicked two field goals for the Browns, who improved to 2-3. Anderson threw for 310 yards and Edwards caught five passes for 154 yards.

NFL 2008 Game 6: New York Giants 29, San Francisco 49ers 17

The Giants improved to a perfect 4-0 in Giants Stadium this season with a hard-fought 29-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The four home victories are one more than the Giants had at home in both 2006 and 2007. Now 5-1, the Giants won on a day when their offense was not at its best, but the defense couldn't have been much better.

One week after its no-takeaway, no-sack, no-punt game in a loss at Cleveland, the unit had three takeaways (including safety Michael Johnson's first two career interceptions), sacked J.T. O'Sullivan six times (one of which resulted in a safety) and forced five punts. And it did so despite the absence of starting linebackers Antonio Pierce and Gerris Wilkinson, who missed the game with injuries. They were replaced in the starting lineup by Chase Blackburn and rookie Bryan Kehl, respectively, who helped limit the 49ers to 35 rushing yards, including 11 on 11 carries by star running back Frank Gore.

The Giants scored on two Brandon Jacobs touchdown runs, Eli Manning's scoring pass to Plaxico Burress, a pair of John Carney field goals, and a safety.

San Francisco scored touchdowns on O'Sullivan's 30-yard pass to rookie Josh Morgan and Nate Clements' 74-yard return of a blocked field goal attempt. Joe Nedney added a field goal for the 49ers.

NFL 2008 Game 7: New York Giants 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 14

The New York Giants scored the game's final 12 points, all in the fourth quarter, to complete a 21-14 comeback victory over the Steelers at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh fell to 5-2 with the loss, while the Giants improved to 6-1.

Pittsburgh struck first as it marched 60 yards in four plays after forcing the Giants to a three-and-out on New York's opening drive of the game. RB Mewelde Moore, who accounted for 38 of those 60 yards, bounced 32 yards around right end for the touchdown to give the Steelers a 7-0 advantage.

New York was able to chip away at its deficit as Pittsburgh struggled to move the ball throughout the rest of the first half. Giants K John Carney kicked three field goals, a 26-yarder in the first quarter; 35 and 25-yarders in the second quarter; to give the Giants a 9-7 halftime lead.

QB Ben Roethlisberger erased that lead five minutes into the second half when he connected with WR Nate Washington on a season-long 65-yard touchdown strike to allow the Steelers to reclaim a 14-9 lead. Washington's touchdown marked the third consecutive game that he and Roethlisberger have combined for a score.

New York again cut into the Steelers' lead when Carney made his fourth field goal of the afternoon from 24 yards away with 8:18 left in the fourth quarter. One minute and 30 seconds later the Giants tied the game at 14-14 when Steelers LB James Harrison, filling in for the injured LS Greg Warren, snapped the ball over P Mitch Berger's head and out of the end zone for a safety.

Given a short field after the ensuing free kick, New York went 62 yards in 12 plays, including a key 25-yard completion from QB Eli Manning to WR Steve Smith on third-and-seven from midfield, to take a 21-14 lead on Manning's two-yard touchdown toss to TE Kevin Boss for the game's final points.

Roethlisberger was 13-of-29 for 189 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Moore led the Steelers for the third consecutive game with 84 yards on 19 attempts (4.4 avg.) with one touchdown. The Steelers limited the Giants' league-leading rushing attack to just 83 yards on the ground. New York entered the game averaging nearly 170 yards per game.

• - PIT 1 11:15 Moore 32 run (Reed kick) 4-60; 1:27 7-0
• - NYG 1 4:39 Carney 26 FG 11-57; 6:36 7-3
• - NYG 2 10:30 Carney 35 FG 4-2; 0:57 7-6
• - NYG 2 3:31 Carney 25 FG 7-22; 4:23 7-9
• - PIT 3 10:00 Washington 65 pass from Roethlisberger (Reed kick)1-65; 0:10 14-9
• - NYG 4 8:18 Carney 24 FG 12-62; 5:42 14-12
• - NYG 4 6:48 Safety — fumble out of bounds in end zone —; — 14-14
• - NYG 4 3:07 Boss 2 pass from Manning (Carney kick) 7-53; 3:41 14-21

NFL 2008 Game 8: New York Giants 35, Dallas Cowboys 14

The Giants defeated the Cowboys 35-14 as starting quarterback Tony Romo was sidelined with a pinky injury in his throwing hand. In that game, Giants QB Eli Manning threw 3 TD passes (13, 5, 11) & RB Brandon Jacobs ran for 117 yards & scored 1 TD.

Eli Manning completed 16 of 27 passes for 147 yards and threw touchdown passes to Kevin Boss, Steve Smith and Amani Toomer in the first half.

Brandon Jacobs (117 yards on 17 carries) and Derrick Ward (63 yards on 12 attempts) ran in for second- half scores for the Giants.

The offense scored touchdowns all five times it ventured inside Dallas' 20-yard line, a marked improvement over the previous week's one-for-six showing in Pittsburgh.

The Giants defense was in control throughout the game, keeping the Dallas offense out of the end zone until the fourth quarter, neutralizing Marion Barber to only 54 yards on 19 carries, Terrell Owens (five catches for 36 yards and a touchdown) and harassing Johnson and Bollinger with four sacks and constant pressure.

The Giants had four takeaways for the second week in a row and held the Cowboys to 183 total yards, 102 passing yards and 11 first downs.

The Giants scored 21 points off turnovers -- two interceptions by Corey Webster in the first half off Johnson and another by James Butler in the third quarter off Brooks Bollinger.

NFL 2008 Game 9: New York Giants 36, Philadelphia Eagles 31

In an exciting back-and-forth game in Philadelphia, the Giants held off the Eagles, 36-31. The Giants dominated the game statistically, outgaining the Eagles, 401-300, including 219-106 on the ground, and owning sizeable advantages in first downs (26-17) and time of possession (39:10-20:50).

The game's key moments were three replay challenges, all of which went the Giants' way, and Chase Blackburn's tackle of Brian Westbrook on fourth-and-one with 1:47 remaining that effectively clinched the game.

Eli Manning threw touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress and Kevin Boss, Brandon Jacobs ran for two more scores and John Carney kicked field goals of 27, 26 and 28 yards for the Giants.

For Philadelphia, rookie DeSean Jackson scored on a nine-yard run, Donovan McNabb threw touchdown passes of 10 yards to Jason Avant, seven yards Hank Baskett and two yards to Kevin Curtis, and David Akers kicked a 29-yard field goal.

The game turned in the Giants' favor with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter and the visitors trailing, 24-20, following an Eagles touchdown on the opening possession of the second half. The Giants had moved from their own 31 to the Philadelphia 20, where they faced a third-and-10. Manning completed a 17-yard pass to Boss that appeared to give the Giants a first-and-goal at the three. But Manning was penalized for an illegal forward pass, because an official ruled he had released the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. The infraction would have pushed the Giants back and forced them to attempt a field goal.

But Coughlin, with his coaches upstairs and Manning urging him on, challenged the call. After review, referee Terry McAulay said Manning's back foot was behind the line of scrimmage and upheld the completion. Two plays later, Jacobs scored a touchdown on a three-yard run that gave the Giants a lead they would never relinquish at 27-24.

The Giants took their three-point lead into the fourth quarter. Carney's 28-yard field goal with 13:28 remaining in the game increased the Giants' lead to 30-24. But the Giants were unable to score from in close, this time after having a first-and-goal at the seven.

After the defense forced Philly into a three-and-out, the Giants' offense again went to work and thanks to two unsuccessful Eagles challenges, took their lead.

Jacobs' second touchdown on a three-yard run extended the Giants' advantage to 36-24 with 9:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion try failed. It was Jacobs' ninth rushing touchdown of the season.

The Giants drove 40 yards in five plays following Domenik Hixon's 43-yard punt return -- which would have been a 73-yard touchdown if Michael Johnson hadn't been penalized for holding.

On the first play of the drive, Bradshaw ran for 23 yards. After a loss of two yards and a defensive offside penalty, things got weird as Philadelphia coach Andy Reid lost replay challenges on consecutive plays -- including Jacobs' touchdown.

First, Jacobs ran six yards up the middle to the three before fumbling. The officials said he was down by contact. Reid challenged, but after review, McAulay said Jacobs' elbow was down before he fumbled and upheld the call on the field.

On the next play, Jacobs' run was ruled a touchdown. But he again lost the ball, this time very close to the goal line. Reid again challenged, saying Jacobs fumbled before reaching the end zone. McAulay again upheld the call on the field and the touchdown stood.

But on the two-point conversion try, Manning's pass to Burress sailed incomplete.

The Eagles responded with a 10-play, 71-yard drive that ended with McNabb's touchdown pass to Curtis, which pulled the Eagles to within 36-31 with 5:30 remaining in the game. On fourth-and-goal from the two, McNabb moved right, then fired a strike to Curtis, who found an opening in the back of the end zone.

The Giants then came up a yard short of a first down and had to punt. Philly took possession at its own 14 with 3:14 remaining and a chance to win the game. On third-and-three from the 43 they gave the ball to their terrific back, Brian Westbrook. He gained two yards, setting up a fourth-and-one. Again they handed the ball to Westbrook. But Chase Blackburn came charging through the line and stopped Westbrook for no gain. The Eagles never again saw the ball.

Baskett's touchdown with 11:24 remaining in the third quarter gave the Eagles the lead for the second time at 24-20. Akers' 29-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter lifted the Eagles to within 20-17 at halftime. McNabb threw an incomplete pass to Curtis before Akers added three points to the Eagles' total as time expired.

Carney's second field goal, a 26-yarder with 1:49 remaining in the second quarter, increased the Giants' lead to 20-14. The score was set up by Sam extensive action because Corey Webster suffered a groin injury, returned the ball 21 yards to the Eagles' 14-yard line.

Avant's touchdown pulled the Eagles to within 17-14 with 4:01 remaining in the second quarter.

Philadelphia gained possession when Chris Cocong's smashing hit on Jacobs jarred loose the ball, which was recovered at the Giants' 44-yard line by defensive tackle Mike Patterson, who had earlier intercepted a Mannin g pass.

Boss made a terrific diving catch of a Manning pass on the first play of the second quarter to give the Giants a 17-7 lead. The touchdown successfully concluded the Giants' second 10-play, 80-yard drive of the early going. This series included Manning passes of 20, 10 and 10 yards to Toomer -- the latter to the doorstep of the end zone -- and 14 yards to Ward.

Manning's 17-yard touchdown pass to Burress on a third-and-nine play tied the score at 7-7 with 8:21 remaining in the first quarter. A Giants takeaway on the ensuing kickoff led to Carney's 27-yard field goal and a 10-7 Giants lead.

Bradshaw forced a Quintin Demps fumble that was recovered by Blackburn and returned 12 yards to the Philadelphia 13-yard line. But after two runs gained four yards, Madison Hedgecock couldn't secure Manning's third-down pass and Carney came on to kick the field goal with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter.

The Eagles took a 7-0 lead just 1:42 into the game when the rookie wide receiver Jackson scored on a 10-yard run. Jackson lined up as a quarterback in the shotgun, took the snap from center and sprinted around right end. From the three-yard line, he dove and stretched his arms over the goal line just inside the pylon.

Philadelphia had to travel just 12 yards for the score after Patterson intercepted Manning's second pass -- on the game's third snap. Manning's throw hit Patterson's hands and helmet before the defender secured it and ran 21 yards to the nine, where he was tackled by Jacobs. The Eagles scored two plays later.

NFL 2008 Game 10: New York Giants 30, Baltimore Ravens 10

The Ravens headed north to face the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants at the Meadowlands. The Giants got off to a 13-0 lead as Giants RB Brandon Jacobs scored on back-to-back 1-yard TD runs. In the second quarter, the Ravens struggles continued as QB Eli Manning completed a 1-yard TD pass to TE Darcy Johnson. Baltimore closed out the half with kicker Matt Stover's 38-yard field goal. The Giants lead at the half, 20-3.

In the third quarter, rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 10-yard TD pass to FB Le'Ron McClain. However, New York answered with CB Aaron Ross returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown.

The Giants closed out the game with Lawrence Tynes' 19-yard field goal.

NFL 2008 Game 11: New York Giants 37 Arizona Cardinals 29

Despite the Brandon Jacobs absense due to a knee injury and Plaxico Burress inability to play after the first series with a sore hamstring, the Giants defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 37- 29 at University of Phoenix Stadium -- the site of their Super Bowl XLII victory over the New England Patriots.

Last week's victory was the Giants sixth in a row and improved their record to 10-1. The Giants are now tied for the NFLs best record after the Tennessee Titans loss to the New York Jets.

The New York Giants hold a commanding three-game lead in the NFC East over both the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins and lead the Panthers and Buccaneers by two games for the best record in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes (Amani Toomer, Madison Hedgecock and Kevin Boss), Derrick Ward scored on a one-yard run and John Carney kicked three field goals.

Domenik Hixon had 269 total yards (180 on kickoff returns, 57 receiving, 21 on punt returns, plus an 11-yard rush). Hixon returned kickoffs for the first time this season and had returns of 83 and 68 yards in the second quarter. Hixon replaced the injured Plaxico Burress after the Giants first offensive series of the game and led the Giants in receiving with six catches for 57 yards. Ward started for Jacobs and rushed for 69 yards on 20 carries and caught four passes for 30 yards.

Eli Manning played completed 26 of 33 passes (career-best 79 percent completion rate) for 240 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

The victory was the Giants' sixth in a row and improved their record to 10-1, which is tied for the NFL's best mark after the Tennessee Titans' loss on Sunday. More significantly, the Giants, with division games on tap the next three weeks, hold a three-game lead in the NFC East over Dallas and Washington and are two games ahead of Carolina and Tampa Bay in the race for the best record in the conference.

It was the Arizona Cardinals (7-4) first loss at home this NFL 2008 season.

NFL 2008 Game 12: New York Giants 23 Washington Redskins 7

The injuries and suspensions have not deterred the New York Giants. Neither did the Burress saga get in the way of the Giants on the field.

Last week the Giants won their seventh game in a row by defeating the Washington Redskins 23 - 7 a business-as-usual fashion at FedEx Field.

In the victory, Eli Manning passed for 305 yards. It was Eli's first 300-yard game since Oct. 15, 2007 at Atlanta. Manning's performance included a 40-yard touchdown pass to Amani Toomer on the Giants first offensive series.

The Giants also scored on a Brandon Jacobs one-yard touchdown run and 3 John Carney field goals (31, 38 and 39 yards).

Defensively, the Giants held Clinton Portis, the NFLs leading rusher, to 22 yards on 11 carries.

With the loss, the Redskins fell to 7-5 and slipped into 3rd place in the NFC East . The Redskins lone touchdown came on a second quarter 29-yard reverse by rookie receiver Devin Thomas.

Last week's win and the Giants 16 - 7 Kickoff Weekend victory over the Redskins gives the Giants the season series sweep for the second time in three years as the Giants have won five of their last six games against the Redskins.

Carney's third field goal of the game pushed the Giants' advantage to 23-7 with 6:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Giants moved 18 yards in five plays after Tuck stuffed Portis on a forth-and one run at the Redskins' 39-yard line. When Manning's pass flew over Domenik Hixon's head in the end zone on third down, Coughlin summoned Carney.

Jacobs' short touchdown run increased the Giants' lead to 20-7 with 8:33 left in the third quarter. The big back just missed scoring on first-and-goal, but on second down he took a handoff and bulled his way up the middle and into the end zone for his 12th rushing touchdown of the season.

Jacobs' score concluded an eight-play, 48-yard drive that began after Hixon's nine-yard punt return and Todd Yoder's 15-yard facemask penalty.

The Giants led, 13-7, at halftime in which they rushed for only 27 yards but Manning threw for 239, the highest first-half total of his career.

Washington closed to within 13-7 on rookie receiver Thomas' first career touchdown on a 29-yard reverse with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter. On first down, Jason Campbell handed the ball to Ladell Betts, who gave it to Thomas running from left to right. Because almost everyone on the Giants' defense was moving right, Thomas had a clear path in front of him and was not touched until he was diving over the goal line.

The score immediately followed Corey Webster's penalty for illegal use of hands, which nullified his own interception. Earlier on the 57-yard drive, Campbell had fumbled after being sacked by Cofield, but Randy Thomas recovered for Washington. Carney's 38-yard field goal with 12:01 left in the first half increased the Giants' lead to 13-0. The Giants led, 10-0, at the end of a first quarter in which they came out throwing despite the persistent rain.

After forcing the Redskins into a three-and-out on the game's first series, the Giants took possession and promptly drove 71 yards in seven plays, including Manning's 40-yard touchdown pass to Toomer. On first down, Toomer lined up on the right side, got a step on cornerback Fred Smoot and caught Manning's perfectly-thrown pass just shy of the goal line and his momentum carried him into the end zone.

Hixon twice kept the drive moving with big third-down catches. On third-and-eight, he took Manning's short pass over the middle and turned it into a 13-yard gain. Three plays later, on third-and-nine, he made a terrific leaping catch on the left sideline for a 15-yard gain that moved the ball to the Redskins' 40-yard line. Toomer scored on the next play.

The defense again forced Washington to punt after three plays. The Giants then marched 67 yards in 11 plays but had to settle for a 31-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead. Kevin Boss made the big play on the drive, catching a short Manning pass before leaping over two defenders and turning it into a 24-yard gain. Manning's 15-yard throw to Toomer, plus D'Angelo Hall's penalty for a late hit, gave the Giants a first-and-goal at the eight. But Manning was sacked for a six-yard loss on third down by Anthony Montgomery and Carney came on to kick the field goal.

NFL 2008 Game 13: Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14

The New York Giants were handed a 20-14 loss by the Philadelphia Eagles at home suffering only their second loss this NFL 2008 season.

Eli Manning completed 13-of-27 passes for 123 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions to lead the Giants offense. Steve Smith led the Giants with four receptions for 47 yards, while Brandon Jacobs added 52 yards on 10 carries on the ground.

The Eagles scored the first 10 points of the game and held the Giants scoreless until a blocked field goal by New York was returned 71 yards by Kevin Dockery for a score. Dockery's return came as the first half ended, thus cutting the Eagles lead to 10-7.

Both teams were able to tack on points in the third quarter, before the Eagles scored 10 unanswered points early in the fourth quarter to take a 20-7 lead with only minutes remaining. The Giants scored once more on their final drive when Manning threw a one-yard touchdown to Darcy Johnson cutting the Eagles lead to 20-14.

After the Giants onside kick attempt failed on the ensuing kickoff, the Philadelphia Eagles were able to run off the remaining time on the clock and secure the 20-14 win.

The Giants had won seven consecutive games, including six in a row against teams with winning records. New York suffered its first loas at home (6-1) and in the NFC East (4-1) division.

Despite the loss, the Giants claimed the NFC East title as Dallas was defeated by the Steelers in Pittsburgh, 20-13.

The NFL's highest-scoring team couldn't score, as the Giants scored their only TD on offense with 15 seconds remaining in the game. The Giants running attack was limited to only 88 yards (72 yards less than their per-game average). The Giants, second in the NFL in time of possession, held the ball on offense for only 25:06.

Brian Westbrook of the Eagles ran for 131 yards. The Giants had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 14 straight games.

The game ended a tumultuous week in which wide receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended and placed on the reserve/nonfootball injury list after he was wounded in an accidental shooting. Linebacker Antonio Pierce has also been involved in the investigation.

The Giants had season-low totals of 211 yards and 14 first downs. New York converted only three of 11 third down opportunities and went zero-for-three on fourth down. Manning completed less than half of his passes (13 of 27, 48.1 percent) for the first time this year, though at least three of his throws were dropped.

Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook gained 203 yards from scrimmage (131 yards on 33 rushing attempts and 72 yards on six catches). Westbrook scored both Eagles touchdowns (30-yard run in the second quarter and a 40-yard reception in fourth). David Akers also kicked two field goals (51, 34 yards) as the Eagles improved to 7-5-1.

NFL 2008 Game 14: Dallas Cowboys 20, New York Giants 8

The Giants lost their second game in a row as their record fell to 11-3. The Giants, who clinched the NFC East title last week despite losing to the Eagles, are also fighting for a first-round bye with the Minnesota Vikings, who improved to 9-5 and host the Giants in the season's final week. This is the Giants first 2-game losing streak since the opening two games of the NFL 2007 season.

After a scoreless first quarter, Tony Romo connected with Patrick Crayton for a 34-yard touchdown pass on the Cowboys first drive of the 2nd quarter. The Giants responded on the next drive with a 34-yard John Carney field goal.

The 7-3 score would stand up thru halftime and past the 3rd quarter.

However, the Cowboys struck first in the game's final quarter to take a 14-3 lead as Tony Romo threw his second touchdown pass of the game to running back Deon Anderson. On the next Cowboys possession, a Giants punt pinned the Cowboys deep in their own territory. A Romo fumble in the end zone almost resulted in a Giants touchdown, however, Romo was able to push the ball out of the end-zone resulting in a Giants safety and only two points.

A Giants touchdown would have significantly changed the game's momentum.

The safety appeared to have swung the momentum in the Giants favor. After the free kick, the Giants tacked on 3 more points on John Carney's 2nd field goal of the game (47 yards) to narrow the Cowboys lead to 14-8.

However, the Cowboys responded on the very next drive.

The Cowboys drove the ball 66 yards in seven plays eating up valuable game time (3:32) and scoring a TD to put the game out of reach. The touchdown came on a a 38-yard run by running back Tashard Choice which produced the 20-8 final.

The Giants Offense was just not there

The Giants 8 points against Dallas was the lowest since December 24, 2006 when the Giants lost to the New Orleans Saints, 30-7. Playing without Brandon Jacobs, the Giants rushed for a season-low 72 yards and converted only three of 13 third-down opportunities. In addition, the Giants have only scored one TD on offense in the 2 losses. Eli Manning was sacked eight times.

John Carney's field goals (34 and 47 yards) and a safety were the only points scored by the Giants.

NFL 2008 Game 15: New York Giants 34, Carolina Panthers 28 (OT)

Despite DeAngelo Williams 4 touchdowns and solid efforts from Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith and Jonathon Stewart on offense, the Panthers defense surrendered 459 yards against the Giants.

With the NFC number 1 seed on the line, the Giants overcame an 11-point deficit in the second quarter and an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Panthers in overtime. Brandon Jacobs scored his third touchdown of the game for the win, a two-yard run 5 minutes and 3 seconds into the overtime.

The Giants rushed for 301 yards. Derrick Ward ran for 215 yards on 15 carries (14.3-yard average). Brandon Jacobs added 87 yards rushing along with the 3 TDs after sitting out last week's Cowboys game with an injury. Eli Manning was 17-of-27 for 181 yards and 1 touchdown pass.

For the Panthers, DeAngelo Williams scored all four Carolina touchdowns (13-yards, 5-yards, 1-yard and 30-yards). Jake Delhomme completed 11-of-19 for 185 yards.

NFL 2008 Game 16: Minnesota Vikings 20, New York Giants 19

After suffering a disappointing defeat that under normal circumstances would have been crushing, the Giants were philosophical. They lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 20-19, when Ryan Longwell kicked a 50-yard field goal on the game's final play to complete a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback.

But the Giants were looking beyond that game and toward the future as soon as they reached their locker room. They likely would have won the game had they played their starters for four quarters. But four of them didn't even dress and few that did played the entire game. When the Vikings drove for the game-winning points, the Giants had only two defensive starters on the field.

The Giants could afford to play the game on their terms. They had clinched the NFC East three weeks ago and a first-round bye and the top seed in the NFC last week. The Vikings game was a final tune-up before they begin preparing for the playoff run that they hope will end with a second consecutive Super Bowl victory.

Four starters were inactive and not in uniform: running back Brandon Jacobs (knee), cornerback Aaron Ross (concussion), tight end Kevin Boss (ankle/concussion) and defensive tackle Barry Cofield (knee).

Despite their absences and the liberal substituting, the Giants went down to the wire on the road against a team that needed a victory to clinch its division title.

The individual highlight of the game was turned in by Derrick Ward, who rushed for 77 yards to increase his season total to 1,025.

Ward and Jacobs (1,089 yards this season) became the fourth pair of running backs -- and the fifth set of teammates -- to run for at least 1,000 yards in the same season.

The Giants scored on David Carr's 23-yard touchdown pass to Domenik Hixon and John Carney field goals of 51, 30, 42 and 20 yards.

Minnesota scored on a 67-yard touchdown run from Adrian Peterson, a 54-yard touchdown pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Bernard Berrian and Longwell field goals of 48 and 50 yards.

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