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Giants 31, Cowboys 14: New York Wins NFC East

The New York Giants claimed the final playoff spot Sunday night, turning back a second-half rally by the Dallas Cowboys to earn the NFC East title with a 31-14 victory.

The Giants (9-7) will host the Atlanta Falcons (10-6) Sunday, Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. on FOX. The Cowboys finish the season 8-8.


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The Giants jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first half. Victor Cruz had a 74-yard catch-and-run for New York's first score, and Ahmad Bradshaw scored second-quarter touchdowns on a five-yard pass from Eli Manning and a 10-yard run.

Dallas closed within 21-14 on a six-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Laurent Robinson wih 10:20 left in the game, but the Cowboys got no closer.

A 44-yard pass to Cruz on the Giants' next possession set up a 28-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal to give the Giants a 24-14 lead. The Giants clinched the game with 3:46 remaining on a four-yard pass from Manning to Hakeem Nicks.

Manning finished the game 24-of-33 for 346 yards and three touchdowns. The pass to Nicks was his 15th fourth-quarter touchdown pass of the season, an NFL record. Cruz caught six passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, and Nicks caught six balls for 76 yards.

Romo completed 28-of-39 passes for 289 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for Dallas. The Giants sacked Romo six times.

-- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis


Final - 1.1.2012 1 2 3 4 Total
Dallas Cowboys 0 0 7 7 14
New York Giants 7 14 0 10 31

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