Monday, October 11, 2004

Winning looks a lot like this


Giants defense makes crucial 4th-and-1 stand

By Jaime Aron
The Associated Press

IRVING, Texas - The New York Giants aren't just winning. They're doing the kind of things winning teams do.

Like making a stand on fourth-and-1 deep in their own territory, then again at midfield in the fourth quarter. Like using a drive-reviving defensive penalty as a springboard to the go-ahead touchdown. And not giving up on Tiki Barber after a slow start, leading to a 58-yard run on that pivotal drive.

Barber finished with 122 yards rushing and a touchdown and Steve Christie kicked four field goals, lifting the Giants past the Dallas Cowboys 26-10 Sunday. It was New York's fourth win, which matches its win total from last season.

"It's nice to be where we are, but we haven't done anything yet," Barber said.

At game's end, New York coach Tom Coughlin ran to shake hands with Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, his former boss and sometimes nemesis. This was Coughlin's second win against him in five tries.

Then Parcells blamed himself for the failed fourth-down attempts, although he added he wouldn't have needed to try creating momentum if Dallas (2-2) had played better.

In addition to 11 penalties, the Cowboys' first fourth-down failure left them with no points after driving to New York's 5 and they squandered a 2-minute drill before halftime with a fumble that led to Christie's second field goal.

"We're just stupid," Parcells said. "We're just dumb."

A tight game for 2 1/2 quarters tilted toward the Giants when a questionable roughing-the-punter penalty gave them a fresh start from their 28.

Jeff Feagles drew the flag by dropping his leg on top of Dallas' Keith Davis, who was crouching to avoid contact. Feagles fell, then got up and complained, helping convince officials he'd been decked.

The next play hurt just as much.

Barber had just 26 yards on 10 carries at that point, but came back with his long burst down the left sideline. Two personal fouls against the Cowboys kept the drive alive and Kurt Warner capped it with a 1-yard pass to Jeremy Shockey, putting up New York 13-10.

Dallas answered by reaching the Giants' 27, then Osi Umenyiora sacked Vinny Testaverde on third down. Forced to try a 52-yard field goal, Billy Cundiff came up short. New York turned it into a 47-yarder by Christie.

Then Parcells panicked.

Down only six with about 10:30 left, he opted to go on fourth-and-1 from his 43. A swing pass to fullback Darian Barnes was stopped for no gain.

"He showed some confidence in us and we let him down," Testaverde said.

N.Y. Giants33713-26
Dallas01000-10

First Quarter

NY-FG Christie 31, 5:02.

Second Quarter

Dal-K.Johnson 7 pass from Testaverde (Cundiff kick), 9:24.

Dal-FG Cundiff 41, 1:56.

NY-FG Christie 51, :02.

Third Quarter

NY-Shockey 1 pass from Warner (Christie kick), 4:58.

Fourth Quarter

NY-FG Christie 47, 12:02.

NY-FG Christie 26, 6:16.

NY-Barber 3 run (Christie kick), 2:14.

A-64,018.

NYDal
First downs1916
Total Net Yards336278
Rushes-yards26-12530-166
Passing211112
Punt Returns2-42-17
Kickoff Returns3-687-144
Interceptions Ret.1-90-0
Comp-Att-Int18-33-015-25-1
Sacked-Yards Lost3-62-14
Punts3-42.73-37.3
Fumbles-Lost2-12-1
Penalties-Yards9-6011-74
Time of Possession32:1227:48

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-New York, Barber 23-122, Cloud 2-4, Warner 1-(minus 1). Dallas, George 15-75, Anderson 9-56, Lee 4-28, Barnes 2-7.

PASSING-New York, Warner 18-33-0-217. Dallas, Testaverde 15-24-1-126, K.Johnson 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING-New York, Toomer 6-66, Barber 5-76, Shockey 5-44, Hilliard 2-31. Dallas, Witten 5-35, K.Johnson 4-43, Glenn 2-24, Anderson 2-9, Bryant 1-15, Barnes 1-0.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-Dallas, Cundiff 52 (SH).



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