It wasn't easy. It certainly wasn't pretty. It certainly wasn't dominant, or even efficient. For the New York Giants it was a victory, though, and that is enough. The Giants kept their playoff hopes alive Sunday with a come-from-behind 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at New Meadowlands Stadium.
Eli Manning hit Kevin Boss with a 32-yard catch and run to give the Giants their first lead, 24-20, with just 3:24 to play. The Giants defense then held when Terrell Thomas forced Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard to fumble and Antrel Rolle recovered to seal the victory with 1:25 to play.
The Giants trailed 20-17 with just 5:55 to play, but went 69 yards for the game-winning drive. A clutch reception by Mario Manningham on a low throw went for 18 yards and keyed the drive.
Jacksonville held a 17-6 lead at halftime as the Giants could not stop the running of Maurice Jones-Drew (21 carries, 113 yards) or Garrard (six carries, 41 yards, one touchdown). New York's defense stiffened in the second half. but the Giants still trailed, 17-9, heading into the fourth quarter.
Manning finished 14-of-26 for 226 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Brandon Jacobs gained 87 yards on 14 carries, and Ahmad Bradshaw 49 yards on nine carries. Manningham had three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, and Boss had three catches for 74 yards and a score.
The Giants host the Washington Redskins next Sunday.