EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -David Tyree’s helmet catch. Plaxico Burress’ game-winning touchdown reception. A slew of sacks.
Last year’s run to the Super Bowl title was full of magical moments for the New York Giants. There was no encore this year, no big plays in their one-game postseason.
The Giants’ run to a repeat is over.
The Philadelphia Eagles – labeled as this year’s Giants – ended the run by Tom Coughlin’s team by making Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and his offense look ordinary in the red zone and by keeping the sack pack at bay in a 23-11 victory in the NFC semifinal Sunday.
Everything was there for New York (12-5) to go on.
It had the ball three times inside the 20-yard line and came up with three field goals. Two other trips inside the Philadelphia 30 ended with John Carney missing field goals, only his second and third miscues of the season. He had two others blocked.
pretty much the worst feeling in the world,” center Shaun O’Hara said. “You almost wonder if it’s better not to make the playoffs, than to exit like we did today.”
What killed the Giants was one bad pass by Manning and their failure to capitalize on chances on offense.
“It was all about missed opportunities,” said Manning, who completed 15 of 29 passes for 169 yards and one costly interception.
“We did some good things,” he said. “We drove the ball well. We got into their territory. We got into the red zone a number of times and we didn’t play our best there. We didn’t convert down there for touchdowns, settling for five field goal attempts.
“When we needed to get something done, get a spark to make a big play, that’s when we didn’t do our best.”
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