Down 34-22 with 5:52 to play, the New York Giants apparently had the Dallas Cowboys right where they wanted them Sunday night. Two tremendous touchdown drives and a game-deciding blocked field goal later the Giants had a 37-34 victory and first place in the NFC East. Both teams are 7-6, but by virtue of the victory the Giants -- for now at least -- have control of the tie-breaker.
The Giants have now had to pull off fourth-quarter rallies for six of their seven victories this season. Quarterback Eli Manning was 27-of-47 for 400 yards two touchdowns and one interception, and was brilliant in the closing minutes. First, Manning took the Giants 80 yards in eight plays, hitting Jake Ballard for an eight-yard touchdown to make the score 34-29 in favor of Dallas.
After a three-and-out by Dallas the Giants regained possession at their own 42-yard line with 2:12 to play. Manning drove the Giants to the game-winning score eight plays later when Brandon Jacobs ran the ball in from a yard out. Manning overcame an end zone drop by Mario Manningham on a perfectly thrown ball to complete the drive. For the second consecutive week the Giants were successful with a two-point conversion as D.J. Ware ran the ball in to make the score 37-34.
The Cowboys, without timeouts and with only 46 seconds to work with, moved to the Giants' 30-yard line with six seconds to play. Placekicker Dan Bailey made an apparent game-tying 47-yard field goal, but a timeout by Giants coach Tom Coughlin forced him to kick again. Bailey's kick was blocked by Jason Pierre-Paul.
The Giants trailed 7-5 after one quarter and 17-15 at the half. They held a 22-20 lead heading into the final quarter.
Manning has now surpassed 4,000 yards passing for the third straight season.
Pierre-Paul had eight tackles, two sacks -- including one that caused a safety -- a forced fumble and the blocked field goal. He was responsible for stopping for Dallas possessions, and his forced fumble led to a Giants field goal.
Brandon Jacobs carried 19 times for 101 yards rushing for New York, his first 100-yard game of the season. Jacobs carried most of the rushing load as Ahmad Bradshaw was suspended for the game's first half after an apparent rules violation.
Dallas quarterback Tony Romo went 21-of-31 for 321 yards and four touchdowns.