The word ringing through the ears of the Giants all season was a reminder of what they could not do last season: Finish.
There were so many times when it appeared as if the Giants were incapable of finishing. Last night, though, they finally cashed in on the marching orders presented to them by Tom Coughlin, the head coach who will be back at the helm again in 2012.
“We finished the game the way we wanted to finish it,’’ Coughlin said. “We finished the regular season the way we wanted to finish it.’’
PHOTOS: GIANTS WIN NFC EAST, BEAT COWBOYS
Faced with a regular-season-ending win-and-in, lose-and-out game against the rival Cowboys, the Giants started with a fury, withstood some tense moments and finished off the ’Boys with a flourish in a 31-14 victory before a roaring, towel-waving crowd of 81,077 at MetLife Stadium.
“The last couple of weeks, it’s basically been win or go home,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said. “You can call it the playoffs if you want to. Now it’s the real playoffs. We’re raring to go.’’
The record may be a modest 9-7, but as the NFC East champions the Giants get to stay home for the start of the playoffs and will face the wild-card Falcons (10-6) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium. Judging from the way the Giants blasted the Jets last week and flicked away the Cowboys, there’s a growing feeling now that they’re in, the Giants just might stay awhile.
“I think we’re in the perfect position,’’ linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka said. “We didn’t get here the way that we wanted to, but regardless of what has happened during the season we’re in the playoffs, we won our division and we have a chance at the Super Bowl. Once you’re in, the slate’s wiped clean and this team is ready to play.’’
The Giants were certainly ready to play against the Cowboys, who head back to Dallas done at 8-8.
The resurgent Giants completely dominated for long stretches and surged to a 21-0 halftime lead, thanks to another hard-to-believe 74-yard catch-and-run from an extremely sharp Eli Manning to Victor Cruz. After two Tony Romo touchdown passes to Laurent Robinson closed the lead to 21-14 and an uneasy feeling of possible collapse in the damp air, the Giants closed things out in style.
“It’s always got to be interesting with us,’’ right guard Chris Snee said. “If we come out and play with the energy we did tonight, we can play with anyone.’’
It was Cruz who helped blunt the Cowboys’ momentum with a 44-yard reception, simply outmuscling cornerback Orlando Scandrick for the ball at the Dallas 28-yard line on a third-and-7 heave from an under-pressure Manning. That led to a Lawrence Tynes 28-yard field goal and a 24-14 Giants lead with 5:45 remaining. Chris Canty then got the fifth of the six sacks registered by a defense that welcomed back pass-rusher Osi Umenyiora, who after missing the past four games was right back in form with two sacks. A 36-yard pass to Hakeem Nicks set up Manning’s 4-yard scoring pass to Nicks with 3:41 left, and it was party time for the Giants.
“That was nothing,’’ said second-year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who had one sack to give him 16 1/2 this season. “Next week is going to be even better. We’re in the playoffs!’’
Romo, playing with a bruised hand, wasn’t bad at all but he was hounded by the Giants up front and could not stand up to Manning, who compiled a passing rating of 136.7 after throwing for 346 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
“Eli came through big-time,’’ Coughlin said.
The Giants sprinted off the field at the break with their feet barely hitting the turf after putting together their most complete half of the season.
After Bear Pascoe kept a drive alive by leaping over cornerback Terence Newman for a first down, Manning threw short to Cruz for on a third-and-one for a first down — and more. Much more. Cruz ran past Newman and then past Gerald Sensabaugh, getting some room when Hakeem Nicks picked off cornerback Mike Jenkins. Cruz was gone from there, completing a 74-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, and salsa dance, to make it 7-0.
Ahmad Bradshaw go the next two touchdowns and the Giants were on their way.
“We’re a good football team,’’ Umenyiora said. “We have a very good offense with an outstanding quarterback and as long as we’re able to keep us in the game I think we’ll have a chance to do something special.’’