Longshot Hopes Are Kept Alive

More than a month after being written off as playoff contenders, the New York Giants still can be in postseason play with one more victory and help from other teams.

Kent Graham threw for a touchdown and ran for another and the Giants continued their amazing late-season turnaround by beating the error-prone Kansas City Chiefs, 28-7, on Sunday.

“I believe in miracles and I believe that we do have a chance and that we have a legit shot to make it,” defensive end Michael Strahan said after the Giants (7-8) won their third in a row. “There is no telling what can happen if we stay focused and go out and win next Sunday.”

To make the playoffs for a second consecutive season, New York has to win at Philadelphia next week, Tampa Bay (7-8) must lose at Cincinnati and Arizona must lose to San Diego.

“I think it can happen,” said Graham, who completed 16 of 33 passes for 167 yards in winning for the fourth time in five games since replacing Danny Kanell as the starter.

Elvis Grbac threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez for the Chiefs (6-9). The defeat means Marty Schottenheimer will have his first losing season in 14 full seasons as an NFL coach.

Grbac took over in the third quarter after Rich Gannon was shaken up on one of the Giants’ four sacks.

“It’s been difficult, not just for me but for everybody,” Schottenheimer said. “I’m disappointed. We’re all disappointed.”

The disappointment was evident in the locker room after the game when receiver Andre Rison confronted two writers from the Kansas City Star. Chief players ended the arguments quickly by intervening.