Giants dominate Buccaneers

Manning answers his critics with strong display

Last updated: 6th January 2008

eli manning new york giants v tampa bay 6/1/2008

Manning: two TD passes

Also see

The New York Giants have continued their impressive form on the road by overcoming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-14 in the two sides' NFC Wild Card play-off match on Sunday.

The result takes the Giants' record on the road this season to 8-1 and was achieved in a dominant manner against the NFC South division champions.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning outplayed counterpart Jeff Garcia, the former going 20-for-27 for 185 yards, with the visitors mainly making inroads after a poor opening quarter in which New York actually lost two yards of offense.

Manning is a player with critics and he may have helped silence them with a performance which included touchdown passes of five yards to Brandon Jacobs and four to Amani Toomer.

The latter score was Toomer's seventh catch of the match and came as the climax to a 92-yard, 15-play drive.

New York's defense was also impressive, with cornerback Corey Webster leading the way with an interception and fumble recovery, while Michael Strahan made nine tackles and a sack.

Steadfast

Indeed, such was their steadfastness that Tampa Bay gained only 166 yards before a late 88-yard drive completed the final score.

Jacobs also had an 8-yard touchdown run for the Giants, while Scots-born Lawrence Tynes also kicked a 25-yard field goal.

The Buccaneers' Earnest Graham ran for a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter, while Alex Smith had a six-yard scoring reception late on for the home side.

Nevertheless, the result means that Tampa Bay have still not won a post-season game since their Super Bowl triumph five years ago.

Garcia, who had beaten the Giants twice in the play-offs with different teams, ended the match 23-for-39 for 207 yards and two interceptions.

The only team to beat the Giants on their travels this season have been the Dallas Cowboys - the two sides meeting in the season-opening week.

New York now have the chance for high-stakes revenge when the two meet once again next Sunday in Dallas - the winner going on to contest the conference title game.