The Giants did not make the playoffs, they did dispose of the Eagles 42-7 but what they participated in before Sunday’s game had them feeling, in the words of Antrel Rolle, “bittersweet.’’
There were 200 students from Sandy Hook Elementary School and another 200 adults from Newtown, Conn., on hand for a Circle of Faith ceremony to in some way help in the healing process after the nightmarish shooting attack that devastated their community. The Newtown residents were on the field to greet the Giants and Eagles and held hands with players during a moment of silence.
VOTE: WHO SHOULD THE GIANTS BRING BACK IN 2013?
“Just seeing those kids puts things in perspective,’’ Rolle said. “Life is extremely short and you have to live it to the fullest and unfortunately a lot of those kids weren’t able to even enjoy their Christmas for this year.
“It’s a heartbreaking feeling, at the same time we just tried to go out there and give those kids something to look forward to, even if it was for 3 1/2 hours, something to raise their spirits, something to take their mind away from the hurt and the tragic memories they’ve experienced over this past month. Just go out there and be the Giants, be the Giants, they love the Giants, that’s why they’re here, so we came out and gave those kids something to play for.’’
* Safety Stevie Brown completed his first season with the Giants with his team-leading eighth interception, returning it 48 yards on Michael Vick’s second pass of the day.
Brown does not have a contract for 2013.
“I hope I showed they want to bring me back next year because I definitely want to come back,’’ Brown said.
Brown’s eight interceptions were the most by a Giant since Willie Williams had 10 in 1968.
* RT David Diehl is signed for next season, but there’s speculation he might not return.
“It’s out of my realm, it’s out of my control,’’ Diehl said.
* Ahmad Bradshaw’s 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter pushed him over 1,000 yards for the season, the second time he has reached that mark in his six-year career. Bradshaw missed two full games this season with injuries and finished with 1,015 yards.
* FB Henry Hynoski waited a while for this: After scoring his first NFL touchdown on a 2-yard reception midway through the fourth quarter, Hynoski put his right hand to his nose and stomped around like, well, a rhino. Call it the Hynocerous.
* The Giants’ 2013 schedule is complete. They will play the Packers, Vikings, Broncos, Chiefs, Seahawks, Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins at home. They will play the Bears, Lions, Raiders, Chargers, Panthers, Cowboys, Eagles and Reskins on the road.
* The Giants will have the No. 19 pick in the NFL Draft, which will be held April 25-27.
* Eli Manning’s five touchdown passes was a career high and the first time a Giants quarterback threw for five scores since Phil Simms did it on Sept. 7, 1980 at St. Louis. … David Wilson got his first NFL touchdown reception, a 15-yarder in the first quarter. Wilson this season scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and on a kickoff return, the first Giant to do that since Joe Scott in 1948.
* The Giants finished with 429 points, the second-highest total in franchise history; the 1963 Giants scored 448. They scored a franchise-record 278 points at home.