Collins Hits Deadline Again

In lieu of a guarantee, the New York Giants have found something else to push them toward the playoffs: the last-minute drive.

Kerry Collins threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard with 20 seconds left as the defending NFC champions kept their playoff hopes alive with a 27-24 victory over Seattle on Sunday that damaged the Seahawks’ playoff chances.

Seattle’s loss also clinched a playoff berth for the New England Patriots, who beat Miami on Saturday.

“I don’t know what it is, but when the game is on the line, that’s when we come out and shine,” said Amani Toomer, who had eight catches for 124 yards. “That’s a sign of a championship team. We proved we were a championship team last year and we’re going to prove it again this year.”

Collins connected on his first five passes and seven overall in the 10-play, 96-yard game-winning drive that sends the Giants (7-7) into Philadelphia with a chance to make the NFC East race even more interesting. If the Giants beat Philadelphia (9-5), they would be a game behind Philadelphia, but holding the tiebreaker.

“You hate to say it’s in the stars, but for Philly to lose and for Tampa Bay to beat New Orleans, it seems like things are lining up for us,” tackle Lomas Brown said. “If we keep taking care of business, we have a shot at getting back in the playoffs.”

The loss was bitter for Seattle (7-7), which took the lead early in the third quarter as Shaun Alexander scored on a 16-yard screen pass, breaking a 17-17 halftime tie.

“It’s a dagger through the heart. It’s very tough,” said punter Jeff Feagles, who sent two kicks inside the Giant five-yard-line in the final 7:29. The second put the Giants 96 yards from victory, and Collins led them back. Again.

Last week, after Arizona went ahead with a little over three minutes to go, he led them on a 70-yard drive, capped with a four-yard touchdown pass to Toomer with 25 seconds left.

“We had time, we had timeouts, we had no reason to panic,” said Collins, who completed 30 of 47 passes for 338 yards. “The line gave me time. The receivers got open and that’s all we needed.”

Alexander also scored on a 29-yard run, and defensive lineman John Randle recovered Collins’ fumble in the end zone. Rian Lindell also had a 20-yard field goal for the Seahawks.

Ron Dayne scored on a 31-yard run, Michael Strahan returned a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown and Morten Andersen kicked field goals of 32 and 33 yards for New York. However, the game came down to the Giants’ final drive, like last week.

“One of these days, our young guys will grow up,” Coach Mike Holmgren said. “Hopefully, we can win a game like that.”

On the final drive, Collins connected withToomer for 28 and 11 yards. Passes of 18 and seven yards to Joe Jurevicius moved the ball into Seattle territory, and then Hilliard caught passes of seven, 18 and seven yards, the last alone in the middle of the end zone.