NFL

Tynes doesn’t ‘miss’ chance for redemption

In the second quarter, Lawrence Tynes pushed a 31-yard field goal attempt wide left. The Giants yesterday built a 31-17 lead on the Falcons, but Tynes couldn’t get the miss out of his head.

“I knew that was going to haunt us even though we were up 14,” Tynes said. “I had to make amends and fortunately I got an opportunity to do that.”

Thanks to a defensive collapse, the Falcons tied the game in the closing seconds of regulation, but Tynes lined up for a 36-yarder to win the game 34-31 in overtime.

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“When Tynes got the opportunity to kick the kick he’s done that many times in his career, I really didn’t get nervous at all and he knocked it through and kicked us to victory,” defensive end Justin Tuck said.

Tynes downplayed the kick, saying: “There wasn’t a lot to it.” He was more concerned with his miss, his fourth of the season from inside 40 yards.

“There is no excuse for those misses,” he said. “I’ll fix it.”

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The Giants were shocked to learn Friday night that linebacker Antonio Pierce has a bulging disc in his neck that could keep him out the remainder of the season.

“He sent me a text Friday night, I thought he was joking,” defensive end Osi Umenyiora said. “When I woke up in the morning I turned on ESPN and I saw it running across the bottom, that’s when I knew it was serious. This is just another obstacle we’re going to have to find a way to get over.”

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It didn’t take long for cornerback Aaron Ross to make an appearance on the field. He was in for the second play, lining up at safety. It was his first action of the season after missing the first nine games with hamstring issues. He played safety in the base defense and cornerback in the nickel. Asked if he now is a safety, Ross said: “I have no idea. We’ll find out Monday if I’m at that position and where they’re going to want me. If I am I have to try to perfect it.” Ross (hamstring) said he came out of the game fine.

It was a rough back-to-back plays for the Giants at the end of the third quarter. Running back Brandon Jacobs went down after a 5-yard run, didn’t get up, with the Giants medical staff looking at his right knee. Jacobs was able to trot off the field but he did not return to the game. He said he could have. On the next play, left tackle David Diehl went down as he was pass-blocking and limped off the field with his left shoe in his hand. Rookie Will Beatty replaced Diehl, but on the very next play Diehl was back. . . . The Giants are now 6-15 in games following their bye.