The New York Giants clinched the top NFC seed for the playoffs as they triumphed over the Carolina Panthers, 34-28, in an overtime nail-biter last night, the New York Times reports. In “the best game of his career,” Derrick Ward ran for 215 yards on 15 carries, with a crucial 82 yards on three overtime carries; Brandon Jacobs scored three touchdowns.
“My teammates looked at me and said they wanted me to get it done,” said Ward. “I looked in every one of my offensive linemen’s eyes and they had my back. We played smashmouth football.” The top seed gives the Giants a first-round bye and a home-field advantage in the playoffs.
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