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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Jim Fassel decided to step back and
assess just what he has. What he had Sunday was an offensive
juggernaut.
The New York Giants' beleaguered coach let quarterbacks coach
Sean Payton call the plays against the New York Jets. Fassel has
been considered an offensive mastermind, but his team's attack
sputtered all year until it tore apart the Jets 41-28.
|  | | Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer races downfield as Jets linebacker Marvin Jones gives pursuit. |
"I will never make a decision which isn't for the good of this
organization," Fassel said.
Kerry Collins hit Amani Toomer for three touchdowns and ran for
another as the Giants routed their local rivals. The winning total
is not a misprint -- it was the Giants' most points in four years.
The Giants (6-6) set a season high for yards (490) while going
13-for-19 on third downs in breaking a three-game slide and keeping
their playoff hopes alive. The Jets (4-8) were overmatched from the
outset, even yielding 111 yards rushing on 38 carries to rookie Joe
Montgomery, making his first start.
"I respected the guy before, but I respect him a lot more
now," Collins said of Fassel. "He has been going through so much.
He said, `I need to back away and let Sean call the game,' despite
the fact he is the coach. That says volumes about the kind of guy
he is."
Following a week that included a funeral for Fassel's mother,
then the coach scolding defensive star Michael Strahan for his
vocal criticism of the unproductive offense, Strahan had nothing to
complain about. The Giants ripped through what recently was a
stingy Jets defense for 27 first-half points, their best 30-minute
production since 1992.
The Jets brought the NFL's top-ranked rushing attack into the
game and it got totally stiffed, gaining a mere 3 yards in the
first half, when the outcome was decided, and 11 for the day.
Curtis Martin, the AFC's No. 2 rusher, was held to 4 yards, the
worst output of his five-year career.
"We're from the same city and we share the same stadium, so
this is one of those games you want to destroy your opponent,"
Martin said, "and we got destroyed."
And humiliated.
"They beat us every way possible," coach Bill Parcells said of
the team he guided from 1983-90. "I'm ashamed. It's the first time
in three years that I have ever been ashamed."
The victory was costly, though, as the Giants lost cornerback
Jason Sehorn (broken left leg), tight end Pete Mitchell (sprained
right ankle) and center Brian Williams (left knee sprain).
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GAME NOTES |
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Kerry Collins became the first 300-yard passer for the Giants since Phil Simms in 1993.
Joe Montgomery has played only two games and is within 57 yards of the team rushing lead; injured Gary Brown has 196.
The 41 points were the most the Jets have surrendered
since Oakland scored 47 on Oct. 11, 1995.
Jets cornerback Ray
Mickens strained his hamstring and defensive tackle Jason Wiltz has
turf toe.
Only once, in 1966, have the Jets rushed for so few yards. They ran for 5 at Buffalo on Oct. 30 of that year.
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The Giants' error-prone offense never sputtered, outgaining the
Jets 206-9 in the opening quarter. The defense was just as
effective, not allowing a first down.
Some soft defense by the Jets helped. They allowed Ike Hilliard
to slip free over the middle for a 33-yard gain, setting up Cary
Blanchard's 41-yard field goal on the Giants' first series.
Hilliard gained 34 yards on his next reception and David Patten
ran 27 yards on a rare razzle-dazzle play, a double-reverse. That
led to Montgomery's 4-yard TD run.
Less than three minutes later, it was 17-0 when Toomer took a
6-yard hitch pass and eluded Aaron Glenn's tackle. Glenn covered
his face with his hands as Toomer sped 61 yards for the touchdown.
"We got the ball in areas where we could turn up the field and
get some more after the catch," Toomer said.
The Jets woke up temporarily, getting their initial first down
on the fourth play of the second period. That helped in an 80-yard
drive capped by Keyshawn Johnson's lunging 13-yard TD reception.
But the suddenly potent Giants, helped by a questionable pass
interference call on Glenn for 31 yards, marched 71 yards to
Collins' 1-yard dive. And they finished their productive half with
Blanchard's 31-field goal 10 seconds from the break.
Things didn't change in the third quarter. A 16-play drive used
up 7:26 and culminated with Toomer's second TD reception.
Toomer gained 181 yards on six receptions; Hilliard had 121 on
six catches.
"It's real satisfying," Toomer said. "There has been a lot of
talk around this locker room ... we came out and silenced the
critics."
Ray Lucas added TD passes of 10 yards to Eric Green on a
deflection, 10 and 5 yards to Wayne Chrebet in the final quarter.
But Collins finished a 17-for-29, 341-yard performance with an
80-yard rainbow TD to Toomer.
"I'll sleep a lot better tonight," Fassel said. "I needed
some good things to happen in my life."
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
NY Jets Clubhouse
NY Giants Clubhouse
Giants lose Sehorn for season with broken leg
Week 13 wrap-ups
Week 13 infirmary report
TJ's Take on Week 13
PrimeTime Players
Week 13 stats leaders
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Michael Strahan praises the Giants' offense in their win over the Jets.
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