Giants lament missed opportunities in Eagles defeat
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - The top-seeded New York Giants were left to rue a host of missed opportunities after losing to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday.
"We drove the ball pretty well," said Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who completed 15-of-29 passes and threw two interceptions in the 23-11 defeat that eliminated last year's Super Bowl champions.
"We got into their territory. We didn't convert any of those times down there into touchdowns. We settled for five field goals (tries) and made three of them. That is not going to win games in the playoffs.
"You have to get touchdowns when you get down there."
Giants guard Rich Seubert said the New York offense bore responsibility for the loss in a game where the home team scored on three field goals and a safety.
"It is disappointing and you can blame it all on the offense," Seubert told reporters. "Our defense played its heart out. We have to get touchdowns. We just couldn't get it done."
EAGLES DEFENSE
New York's center Shaun O'Hara agreed with Seubert.
"There were opportunities there to win this game and we did not make those plays and we did not capitalize," he said.
The Philadelphia defense had a lot to do with New York's failure and finished off the Giants' chances by stopping them twice on fourth-down attempts in the final quarter.
"We came up with big plays," Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "The fourth-down plays were big plays.
"Some great effort by the tackle Brodrick Bunkley. He made some great surges."
The Giants, who were 12-4 in the regular season, became the third team to lose at the first hurdle of the NFL playoffs this postseason after skipping the opening round with a bye.
New York coach Tom Coughlin did not see that as a factor, however.
"We practiced well. We focused well, our energy was all for one, one for all," he said.
"I think we are very disappointed. Very, very sorry to see the season come to an end. Lots of remorse for opportunities lost."
(Editing by John O'Brien)
