Giants clinch 1st seed with big win in OT

It was cold, not Green Bay in January cold, but cold enough. Fifteen degrees at game time, with gusts reported to be at forty miles per hour...thats like twenty five below right? It didn't matter at game time though because these Giants were ready to play.

The game was billed as a prequel to the NFC championship game, the red hot Carolina Panthers at 11-3, and the slumping Giants with the same record.

Big Blue went into this game with one thing in mind, take the number one seed in the playoffs. Turns out they had a little help from the Falcons earlier in the day, but at kickoff, you could tell none of the Giants had seen that game...they were pumped up.

This game was back and forth for about 3 1/2 quarters of football. After 4 touchdowns by DeAngelo Williams, the Giants D finally figured things out, and shut down the run.

Giants Stadium was electric, fans were making confetti from what was left of the weekend's blizzard. You can give Giants fans credit for one thing...they are balzy. I think the PA announcer came on atleast three times during the game telling people if they were caught throwing snowballs, they would be arrested, and any season ticket holders could be taken off the list. Despite the warning, every time the Giants scored out would come the snowballs.

Being the first time I've ever been to an overtime game in person, this was an incredible experience. After an amazing drive late in the 4th quarter to tie it up, you could tell that the Giants had Carolina on the ropes. Unable to get it done after the first drive, you started to wonder if the Giants were letting up a little. However, the Giants D stepped it up again, totally shutting down the Panthers. On the next possesion, a combination of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward sealed up the game for the Giants, who find themselves in a much different position than they did this time last year.

The Giants needed this game, they were desperate for it. Just by hearing them speak in the locker room you could tell there was a mixture of jubilance and relief...with a bit of tired as well. With a win against debatably the hottest team in the league, Big Blue can go into the playoffs with confidence. Lets hope a couple of weeks off...you know Eli and company won't be seeing much playing time next week...will get the Giants geared up for another championship post season. Matt Leach for The Huddle