Barber takes over, puts Giants into playoffs

It's been a long season for Tiki Barber and the New York Giants, but it will end in a playoff berth. The Giants topped the Washington Redskins 34-28 at FedEx Field Saturday night, and barring a miracle for the Green Bay Packers, New York will be the sixth seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs.

Barber had been surrounded by controversy all year long when he made it public at the beginning of the season that he planned to retire at season's end and pursure a career in broadcasting. Before today's game, some were even going as far to say that Barber had "checked out mentally" and was no longer interested in the success of his team. You wouldn't think that by the way he played in this victory.

Barber ran for a franchise record 234 yards (breaking his own record of 220 yards last season against Kansas City) on 23 carries and also rushed for three touchdowns. He added three catches for 24 yards to his offensive barrage. Barber had a key touchdown late in the game that essentially put the game away for New York. Up 27-21 with 6:25 to go, Barber ran 50 yards for a touchdown to put the Giants up 34-21.

It wasn't easy for the Giants, who led 27-7 at one point. However, despite a 20-point lead for New York, this game was nearly reminiscent of the meltdown they had in Tennessee on November 26th when the Giants blew a 21-0 lead in the fourth quarter and lost 24-21.

It started out well for the Giants, as a hit from Brandon Short on Ladell Betts knocked the ball loose, prompting New York's Fred Robbins to pick the ball up and run for 67 yards, setting up a 34-yard field goal for Jay Feely. New York cruised along for a good part of the game, but things got ugly in the second half.

The Giants took a 27-7 lead at the 10:28 mark of the third quarter off of a six-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Tim Carter. The touchdown was set up by an interception by New York's Jason Bell at the Giants' 47. Even after all of this, rookie quarterback Jason Campbell and the Redskins refused to give up.

Campbell led Washington down the field on their next possession, capping the 69-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Betts, making it a 27-14 game. The Redskins then forced the Giants to go three-and-out and marched 66 yards right back down the field to start the fourth quarter. T.J. Duckett concluded the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to six, 27-21.

Barber then answered with his 50-yard score, getting the ball on five of the six plays run by the Giant offense to put New York up 34-21. Still, the Giants could not put the divisional rival Redskins away.

On the ensuing possession, Campbell again took Washington down the field and tossed a one-yard pass to a wide open Mike Sellers in the corner of the end-zone to make the score 34-28. The Giants could not get a first down on their next possession, and were forced to punt with the game and their playoff hopes on the line.

Campbell and the Redskins' offense took over with 2:18 to play in the fourth. However, a potential go-ahead drive fell short when Campbell threw four incomplete passes in a row, and Washington turned the ball over on downs.

The Giants took over at the Redskins' 22 with 1:55 to play. After three consecutive runs by Brandon Jacobs that totaled 15 yards, New York took two knees to end the game.

The Giants finished the season at 8-8 and are pretty much guaranteed the second Wild Card spot. The Redskins went 5-11, their worst record under Joe Gibbs.

"There are certain things that motivate you, push you," said the 31-year old Barber, who rushed for 1,662 yards this season to lead the NFC. "It's partly because of the circumstances of this game, my last one. Most important, we had to win to keep playing."