The New York Giants are going home without a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. The Giants defeated the Washington Redskins, 17-14, Sunday but could not do anything to prevent the Green Bay Packers from taking the final NFC playoff spot.
The Packers won a tense, hard-fought game from the Chicago Bears, 10-3, to earn the final playoff spot.
With three weeks remaining in the season the Giants had their playoff destiny in their own hands. But, a devastating loss to Philadelphia and a blowout loss at Green Bay left the Giants needing a Packers loss on Sunday. They did not get one.
The Giants did get their 10th victory of the season, finishing 10-6. The Packers, who are going to the playoffs, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are not, also finished 10-6.
The Giants forced four Washington turnovers Sunday, intercepting Washington quarterback Rex Grossman once and forcing three fumbles. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora forced two of them.
The Giants scoring came on a 20-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes, a two-yard run by Brandon Jacobs and a career-long 92-yard pass from Eli Manning to Mario Manningham.