The Giants and Eli Manning were happy to just be able to celebrate a win once again. The last six weeks have been frustrating, not like anyone is counting or anything like that.

Manning said, it’s been a very long time. Our last win came 42 days ago. It did feel that long.

With 3:54 elapsed in overtime, Lawrence Tynes booted through a field goal from 36 yards, making up for a miss earlier in the game to give the Giants a 34-31 win on Sunday over Atlanta. The victory snapped the Giants’ four game losing streak and came after New York’s defense blew a lead of 14 points during the fourth quarter.

Tom Coughlin, Giants coach said, it’ just nice to get a win. For a month we’ve been really miserable around here.

Manning passed for 384 yards, his career high. He also threw three touchdowns, with two going to Kevin Boss. The Giants were able to keep up with Dallas, who leads the NFC East. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins to maintain their one game lead in the division.

However, New York won’t be able to savor their win for long. On Thanksgiving they play in Denver.

Manning said, there isn’t a better feeling than being in the locker room following a win. It’s great seeing the smiles and high fives, especially after you haven’t felt that in a while.

It was the first game passing for 300 yards in Giants Stadium for Manning. He was able to set up the winning field goal by Tynes when he connected on a pass of 29 yards with Mario Manningham to take New York down to the 23 yard line. The Giants hadn’t won a game since October 11 when they defeated the Raiders 44-7. However, this win didn’t come easily.

New York’s defense, which was playing without Antonio Pierce, injured linebacker, wasn’t able to hold their 31-17 lead versus the Falcons and Matt Ryan.

Coughlin, referring to his defense said, I’m concerned.

The Giants lost Brandon Jacobs, running back, as well late third quarter due to a right leg injury. There were no updates from Coughlin regarding Jacobs injury, but he was on the Giants sideline at the end of regulation and during overtime.

With 6:01 remaining in regulation, Ryan throw a scoring pass of 4 yards to Eric Weems. Then with only 28 seconds left he connected on an 11 yard pass with Tony Gonzalez to tie the game.

Ryan said, it is very disappointing. We didn’t get the outcome that we wanted. There were great efforts and great contributions from many of the guys during the second half. We were down 14 points and were able to come back. However with all that said, there’s no such thing as a moral victory.

After going 4-1 to start the season, the Falcons (5-5) have now lost four games out of their last five.

Mike Smith, Atlanta coach said, I told the team that our last six weeks have been a very long road. Four of our last six games have been played against teams coming off of their byes.

Ryan went 26 for 46 for a total of 268 yards and also threw two touchdown passes. Gonzalez caught 8 passes for a total of 82 yards and also scored. Jason Snelling who was filling in for Michael Turner who was injured, had two running touchdowns.

The victory gave the Giants the first home win in the series with the Falcons since 1979 when New York defeated Atlanta. Twelve series games in a row had been won by the visiting team. Atlanta had a decent chance of making that 13 consecutive games.

Ryan said, it was a very disappointing loss. However we can’t get discouraged.

With 12:08 left to play, Madison Hedgecock scored on a touchdown catch of 3 yards to make the score 31-17. However Atlanta was able to storm right back.

On a drive of 12 plays Ryan was able to convert three third downs, capped by a touchdown catch by Weems.

Once again the Giants had problems on the tying drive for the Falcons, allowing Ryan to convert on third down twice with passes. After throwing an incomplete pass intended for Gonzalez, Ryan connected with his tight end to score the touchdown.

The overtime toss was won by the Giants after Gene Steratore, referee, fumbled on his first flip of the coin. Once again Manning went to work.

Manning said, I knew especially during the second half that we had been moving the ball well. I was feeling good and glad we were able to get the football first. It gave us a chance to get out and win the game.

A touchdown run of 7 yards by Snelling early second quarter gave the Falcon a 7-3 lead. He was filling in for Turner, who in last week’s games versus Carolina sprained his ankle. Atlanta, for the fifth game in a row, was also playing without Jerious Norwood.

New York responded with their own drive down field, assisted by a nice sideline catch of 33 yards by Manningham. However the drive stalled on the 14 yard line of the Falcons. Tynes was given the opportunity to bring the Giants to within one point, but was wide on his attempt from 31 yards.

Tynes said, I knew that would haunt us. I knew even when we were leading by 14 points that I would need to make my amends. Lucky for me, I got the chance to do that.

Coming out for the second half Atlanta had a drive of 8 plays, capped by Snelling’s one yard run for a touchdown.

Mid third quarter, a run of two yards by Jacobs put the Giants up 24-14. Jason Elam then booted a field goal of 25 yards to make it a 7 point game.

The Panthers may finally have found a way of solving the woes of Jake Delhomme: controlled chaos.

Matt Ryan and Atlanta miscues helped as well.

On Sunday Carolina unleashed their no huddle offense with the plays being called by Delhomme. The Panthers quarterback connected on two touchdowns with Steve Smith and didn’t have any turnovers during Carolina’s 28-19 win over Atlanta.

Smith, who coming into the game tripled the touchdown total for Carolina receivers said, what no huddle is is controlled chaos. The defense is running around not knowing what they are doing out there. The no huddle offense really is simple and easy.

It was the third game in a row that Delhomme was turnover free, after having 13 interceptions during the first six games. However for the Falcons (5-4) and Ryan it was a very tough day. During the second quarter Michael Turner, their star running back, went out with a sprained ankle after already having 111 yards rushing. Then Atlanta’s comeback hopes were stymied by Ryan and Jason Elam, their kicker, with key mistakes during the fourth quarter.

For most of the day Ryan threw the ball too high and was intercepted twice. He now has 12 interceptions on the season, which is one more than he had during his outstanding rookie season.

Ryan said, I’m young. I have a very long ways to go, lots of improving that I need to do and lots of things I need to learn still.

During the first half, Ryan only completed 7 out of 19 passes. Carolina (4-5) was able to build a lead by halftime of 21-10. Delhomme appeared very poised while Atlanta struggled with getting the right defenders onto the field.

Delhomme, who no longer leads the NFL in interceptions after the struggles of Jay Cutler in Chicago, connected with Smith on two touchdowns from 4 yards out. He was in the comfort zone.

Over the years a majority Delhomme’s best work has occurred during the two minute offense.

Delhomme referring to the no huddle offense said, we practice that quite a bit. In that situation I am very comfortable.

After halftime the offense for Carolina wasn’t nearly as successful. The game didn’t get sealed until Ryan was picked off by Richard Marshall to set up a touchdown run of 45 yards from Jonathan Stewart with 2:07 remaining in the game.

Earlier in the game, Elam missed a field goal from 34 yards. It would have given the Falcons the lead. Carolina was able to hold on even after losing Jordan Gross, left tackle and main cog in their offensive line, when he broke his right ankle.

Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina wide receiver who returned after a knee injury to catch six passes for 91 yards said, being 3-5 we’re at the season’s major crossroad I think. With seven games to go in the season, our chances are as good as anyones.

Carolina earned their season split with Atlanta, whose road record fell to 1-4. Tests will be conducted on the right ankle of Turner on Monday. Early second quarter Turner went over the 100 yard rushing mark. However on the end of his run of 10 yards he rolled his ankle. He ended a streak of rushing for 428 yards in under 10 quarters of play.

Turner was replaced by Jason Snelling who rushed for 61 yards in 18 carries and scored a touchdown.

Mike Smith, Atlanta coach said, we don’t have that same explosiveness that we have with Michael in there. But Jason I thought for it being his first time in there in the last few weeks did run the ball very hard.

Ryan was able to get Atlanta to within 21-19 on a fourth down and one play when he connected with Justin Peelle, tight end, on a touchdown pass of 3 yards. With 13:44 to play the Falcons attempt at a two point conversion failed after Chris Gamble was able to tackle Snelling following a swing pass.

Later Ryan was able to convert on third down and 11 from Atlanta’s 3 yard line on a pass of 13 yards to Tony Gonzalez. However the drive stalled. Then Elam, after hesitating twice, pulled a short attempt for a field goal with 6:35 remaining in the game.

Elam said, from the very start my timing was a mess. I take the blame for that.

Carolina went three downs and out. Then Eric Weeks returned the punt down to the 49 yard line of Carolina. However Atlanta’s hopes were ended when Ryan tried to throw into double coverage.

Ryan went 22 for 41 for a total of 224 yards passing and one touchdown. Atlanta failed to capitalize on the revamped defense of Carolina after Thomas Davis, linebacker, sustained a knee injury to end his season last week.

Michael Jenkins, wide receiver referring to Ryan said, technically I don’t think anything is wrong with him. We need to just execute better and limit our turnovers.

DeAngelos Williams rushed for 92 yards while Stewart ran for 82 yards, giving the Panthers a solid running attack. However the Panthers were keyed by the passing game, even after they had to shuffle the offensive line up.

Gross, who is the cog of Carolina’s line, may be out for the rest of season. The injury forced Travelle Wharton to move over to left tackle and Mackenzy Bernadeau, who has very little experience, to play at left guard in Wharton’s old spot.

Chris Redman, backup quarterback for Atlanta, threw a touchdown pass of 5 yards over to Roddy White on Sunday with just 23 seconds left to play, as the Falcons eked out a 20-17 win over Tampa Bay after their offensive stars Michael Turner and Matt Ryan left the game due to injuries.

White said, this game was one we really couldn’t afford to lose. It’s a very good thing that Chris was able to come in and do what he needed to do for us to win.

Will this last? It will depend on how long Turner and Ryan as well as Sam Baker and Harvey Dahl, offensive linemen, will be out. They all had to leave the game due to injuries. Atlanta isn’t saying how serious the injuries are.

Ryan, Atlanta’s second year quarterback, injured his right big toe on the very first series for Atlanta. In the third quarter Turner sustained another injury to his right ankle. The high ankle sprain had prevented Turner from playing in Atlanta’s previous game as well as limit his practice time.

White said, those are our franchise players.

Atlanta (6-5) has lost four of their last five games coming in. They found themselves in deep trouble when Jason Elam missed yet another field goal attempt, perhaps his last attempt with the Falcons. Tampa Bay (1-10) then drove the ball into Falcons territory.

However with 2:30 remaining Connor Barth missed a field goal attempt from 51 yards, giving Atlanta one more opportunity, but with no timeouts left. Redman was able to calmly direct a drive of 59 yards to give Atlanta a victory that they absolutely needed, especially considering in their next games they will be facing Philadelphia and an unbeaten New Orleans team.

On fourth down and goal on the 5 yard line Redman connected with White running up the middle on a slant as Derrick Roberson, Tampa Bay cornerback, swiped at the football to no avail.

Redman said, at any time I am always ready. That’s the reason I am here.

Early third quarter Corey Lynch blocked a punt to set up a touchdown pass of 8 yards from Josh Freeman to Carnell Williams to give Tampa Bay a 17-10 lead.

Their lead almost held up.

Aqib Talib, cornerback for Tampa Bay said, you have to make the last play of the game.

Redman, who became Atlanta’s starting quarterback in 2007 following the Michael Vick suspension, had only played in one game in the last two years after the arrival of Ryan.

On the Falcons’ final drive, Redman was able to complete four passes over to Tony Gonzalez for a total of 34 yards. Atlanta got a huge break when Roberson received a holding penalty on a pass that was incomplete to the opposite side of the football field.

Tampa Bay still only needed one stop to get their second win of the season after Redman had three incomplete passes in a row from the 5 yard line. Down to his final attempt, Redman found White, who was in single coverage, delivering a perfect pass for the score.

Mike Smith, Atlanta head coach said, it’s very difficult being a backup quarterback in this league. I know that Chris will always be prepared. I didn’t have any doubts that Chris could come into the game and efficiently execute.

As Falcons teammates Eric Weeks and Gonzalez mobbed White inside the end zone, Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay head coach, kneeled to the ground in disbelief.

Morris, the embattled first year coach who earlier this week took over the duties of defensive play calling after demoting Jim Bates, their former defensive coordinator. The move almost paid off immediately. Instead, Tampa Bay suffered yet another crushing loss. Their season has been full of them.

Morris said, we were at 1-9. Now this team is at 1-10. Whenever you lose it is never going forward.

Redman went 23 for 41 for a total of 243 yards passing, despite getting sacked five times. He also flipped a short pass to Jerious Norwood that ended up as a touchdown of 22 yards. The score gave Atlanta an early lead of 10-0.

Before halftime Tampa Bay fought back and tied the game. Freeman connected with Antonio Bryant deep to the left sideline. Bryant lept up to grab the ball from Tye Hill, Falcons cornerback, and then was able to roll into his end zone after realizing no one had touched him to score a touchdown of 42 yards. Late first half Barth kicked a field goal of 39 yards.

In just the fourth start of his career, Freeman was able to rebound nicely from his four turnover performance versus New Orleans the week before in the game the Bucs lost by 31 points. He went 20 for 29 for a total of 250 yards passing without any turnovers. The only big mistake he made was a fumble, but he was able to recover the ball.

On the game’s ninth snap, Ryan injured his toe on a sack by Tim Crowder and Stylez White. The Falcons taped Ryan’s toe up and added some extra padding to his shoe. Then Ryan tried to do a bit of light jogging over on the sidelines, but nothing really worked.

At halftime Ryan changed into his street clothes. He wore his special shoe while he watched the remainder of the game.

After the Falcons dropped two games in a row to Dallas and New Orleans, the team desperately needed to get a win to stay in the chase for the playoffs.

They did what they needed to do. Kind of. After they built up a lead of 21 points, the Falcons allowed the Redskins back in the game on two second half touchdowns. To stretch the lead back to 14 points, it took a Michael Turner touchdown run of 58 yards, fueled by LaRon Landry’s shoddy play. If Atlanta’s defense hadn’t stiffened, the game might have gone right down to the last minute.

The good news for the Falcons is that Turner had 166 rushing yards, bringing back memories of his 2008 performance.

However, what was really needed for the Falcons was an absolute pasting, like what they were able to do last month to the 49ers or like what head coach Mike Smith apparently tried applying to DeAngelo Hall. Atlanta needs to now handle the Panthers playing in Charlotte. The Falcons will then meet the Giants at the Meadowlands.

It could turn out in the end that none of the surprise teams from last year- the Ravens, Dolphins and Falcons- will return to the playoffs. However of the three teams, the only one that is over .500 after the first eight games is the Falcons, making them the team with the best chance of returning to the playoffs.

If they had blown the Redskins out, we would feel much better regarding their chances. Also if quarterback Matt Ryan had been able to gain over 135 passing yards.

For the Washington Redskins, their nightmare season continues without an end in sight. They probably only have one game left that they are likely to win. Even a win over the Raiders isn’t guaranteed. A final record of 2-14 is a real possibility, enough to turn any Redskins fan’s heart dark.

The Falcon teetered on the edge of becoming another blowout victim for the Saints.

After surviving a flurry, they regrouped before standing toe to toe and battling back against their rivals from the NFC South before they came up short.

The New Orleans Saints weren’t able to breathe easy until there were 3:03 minutes left to play and Pierre Thomas, running back, somersaulted into the end zone.

On Monday night in the Superdome, the Saints were able to hold on and defeat the Falcons 35-27 in front of 70,088 fans.

The 7-0 Saints are the only NFC team left that is still undefeated. With nine games left to play, the Atlanta Falcons’ record dropped to 4-2, putting them three games back of the Saints.

Atlanta was able to find their running game. Michael Turner rushed for over 150 yards and Roddy White, wide receiver, had a big game as well, accumulating over 100 receiving yards.

In the end, however, the defense for the Falcons couldn’t get Drew Brees, the dynamic quarterback, and the Saints off of the field.

During the third quarter, the defense for the Falcons stiffened, holding the Saints to only 64 yards. It was the lowest third quarter output for the Saints all season.

This gave a few opportunities to the offense to attempt to recover from a 14 point deficit. However, a call challenged on what looked like an apparent touchdown, an interception late in the game, and a Mike Peterson holding call, all hurt their chances to come back for the upset.

It appeared that the Falcons had tied the game at 28-28, with Roddy White catching a touchdown pass in the end zone. However, the play was challenged by the Saints and they won.

Atlanta settled for just a field goal.

The offense had a chance to take the lead following a fumble recovery by Atlanta safety Erik Coleman.

With 8:30 left to play in the game, Atlanta was driving down field for a score to take the lead. However Tracy Porter, defensive back for the Saints intercepted a Matt Ryan pass.

The defense needed to get another stop. However, they weren’t able to get it done. It appeared that the Falcons had stopped the Saints when a pass on third down headed for Reggie Bush went incomplete. However a defensive holding penalty was called on Peterson, giving a first down to the Saints, who went on to drive for a touchdown to seal their victory.

The game on national television lived up to all its hype early on.

On the opening drives, each team scored a touchdown.

Atlanta won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Turner had some power running and a twenty seven yard season high catch from Tony Gonzalez, tight end, helped the Falcons march down the field.

The 77 yard, eight play drive was capped by a 13 yard touchdown run from Turner around the right end.

New Orleans then answered with a touchdown drive of their own. Thomas, eluding attempted tackles from Coleman and John Abraham, scored a touchdown on a 23 yard run.

Atlanta was unable to capitalize on good field position following the Saints being penalized for excessive celebration. The drive for the Falcons stalled. However the punt from Michael Koenen pinned New Orleans back to their own eight yard line.

The defense of the Falcons was then able to come up with a very big play.

Thomas DeCoud, safety, hammered Brees on the delayed blitz, causing a fumble. Kroy Biermann, defensive end, scooped up the ball and scored from four yards away. The extra point from Jason Elman made the score 14-7.

The Saints on their next drive were able to overcome a second down and 17, making their fourth third down conversion in a row to position themselves for a touchdown.

From Atlanta’s 18 yard line on second down and seven, Brees connected with Marques Colston, wide receiver, in the end zone to score the touchdown. The 6 foot 4 Colston soared over Tye Hill, making his first Falcons start instead of Brent Grimes, to catch the ball.

The Falcons, with Turner on a roll, were able to march up field. However on third down Michael Jenkins dropped a pass, forcing them to go for a field goal.

A 34 yard field goal attempt by Elam hit the left upright but was no good.

During the next drive Grimes went in for Hill and got a big interception, stopping a drive that looked promising for the Saints. He seemed to almost jump from the Superdome to pick a pass off meant for Devery Henderson.

However, the offense was unable to move and ball, forcing them to punt following three and out.

The Saints then went on one of their scoring flurries, which has enabled them to score a minimum of 45 points during four of the first of their six games.

In six plays the Saints were able to drive 80 yards. Reggie Bush scored from one yard out, making the score 21-14.

The opportunistic defense of the Saints finally came to life. Jabari Greer, cornerback, stepped right in front and picked off a Ryan pass, scoring a touchdown on a 38 yard return to give New Orleans a 28-14 lead at halftime.