Banks’ Interception Helps Giants Turn Defeat Into Victory

Linebacker Carl Banks was an invisible man twice within a 90-second span Sunday, just enough to produce 2 big plays that turned defeat into victory for the New York Giants.

“I don’t think he knew I was there,” Banks said of his 15-yard interception return that broke a tie with 1:24 remaining as the Giants beat the Atlanta Falcons, 23-16.

Ninety seconds earlier Banks unloaded on Atlanta quarterback Chris Miller, causing a fluttering pass that Harry Carson intercepted at the Falcons’ 32 and led to Ottis Anderson’s 1-yard touchdown run that forged a 16-16 tie with 1:57 to play.

Miller hurt his elbow on the play, and Banks picked on substitute Hugh Millen for the game-winning interception. “I didn’t see him,” the former Ram said of Banks. “I focused too long on my primary receiver.”

Banks said when Millen threw the pass, “I said to myself, ‘Here comes the ball. Don’t drop it.’ I caught it and turned around and I almost fell.”

Carson’s interception came as the Falcons, nursing a 16-9 lead, were facing a third and 3 at their 32 when Miller was hit by Banks just as he threw the ball.

Phil Simms then set up the Giants’ tying score by hitting Stephen Baker with a 21-yard pass to the Atlanta 3.

The Giants are now 5-3, while the Falcons (1-7) lost their fifth straight.

The Falcons almost came back to force an overtime, but time ran out after Michael Haynes caught a 20-yard pass from Millen at the New York 1. Starting on their 10, the Falcons drove 89 yards as Millen completed 5 passes.

Miller, making his first start since spraining his left ankle against Dallas on Sept. 25, appeared to have the Falcons in control until Banks turned the game around with his interception-forcing hit and scoring interception.

Miller completed 14 of 30 passes for 138 yards and Simms hit on 17 of 27 for 252 yards.

Joe Morris became New York’s all-time rushing leader with his 71 yards in 16 carries. It lifted the 7-year veteran’s rushing total to 4,700 yards, breaking the previous mark of 4,638 set by Alex Webster during a career from 1955-64. Morris broke the mark on his third carry of the day, a 13-yard run on a draw.