Toomer Is Key to Big Victory

Jeremy Shockey got the New York Giants started Sunday. Kerry Collins and Amani Toomer finished off their most important win of the season.

Toomer had a career-high 204 yards receiving and caught three second-half touchdowns from Collins, while Shockey caught seven passes for 116 yards and the Giants took a big step toward the playoffs with a 44-27 win at Indianapolis.

“We’ve showed glimpses of this all year,” said Collins, who had a season-high 366 yards passing. “Look at our guys, these are guys who can play. The pieces are all there.”

Now the Giants (9-6) are putting the pieces in place to make a run for a playoff berth.

New York got exactly what it needed as it won for the third consecutive time -- big plays on offense, a stifling defense and a little help when the Cincinnati Bengals beat New Orleans.

For New York, the combination could not have been better. Three weeks ago, few gave the Giants any hope of reaching the playoffs. If they win Saturday at home against Philadelphia, they will be in.

“If it’s not too late, I’ll get a Christmas card off to them in the mail right now,” Coach Jim Fassel said of the Bengals.

Had Indianapolis (9-6) won Sunday, it would have earned its third playoff berth in four years. The best the Colts can do now is hope for a wild-card spot when the Jaguars visit next week.

The Colts were held to 50 yards rushing. Two-time rushing champion Edgerrin James ran only 10 times for 13 yards.

Peyton Manning became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, breaking a tie with Dan Marino and Dan Fouts.

Manning completed 30 of 46 passes for 365 yards with three touchdowns. He threw two interceptions.