Rally past Panthers for NFC's no. 1 seed December 22
New York Post
"The game was slipping away and with it perhaps the Giants' season. They were going the wrong way. They had fallen and it appeared they could not get up.
But they did. One step at a time, they got back into a game that tested their resolve, their mental and physical toughness and their ability to take and deliver a punch.
"One word," running back Derrick Ward said. "Resilient."
That defined the Giants. They trailed the Panthers 21-10 in the first half and 28-20 in the fourth quarter. They tied the game up on a patented Eli Manning late-game drive, survived a missed John Kasay 50-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation and then flexed their muscles in overtime.
Along the way a new star was born. Ward was breathtaking, rushing for a career-high 215 yards on only 15 carries, including 82 yards on runs of 51, 14 and 17 yards in overtime. His last rushing attempt got to the 2-yard line, and from there Brandon Jacobs powered in for his third touchdown - the game-winner - to send the Giants off with a brilliant 34-28 victory over the Panthers in a thrilling and chilling NFC showdown at Giants Stadium.
"Our guys are tough-minded and they accepted the challenge," said coach Tom Coughlin, his cheeks a deep shade of red after spending so long out in the cold.
The dramatic victory gives the Giants (12-3) everything they desired from this season. They own the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The road to Super Bowl XLIII goes through the Meadowlands. The Giants get a first round bye and will need it to heal up.
"Very, very, very important," said Jacobs, who returned from missing last week's game in Dallas because of a left knee injury and ran for 87 hard yards. The Giants amassed 301 rushing yards, fourth-highest in team history. "
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