Manning, Barber put Giants back in hunt for playoff spot

A week ago, controversy swirled in the New York Giants locker room. Fire Tom Coughlin. Fire John Hufnagel. Trade the team. After Sunday's 27-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, some of the players were talking about happier things again. "If we get on a run and go into the playoffs hot, no one can beat us, even if we're a wild card," kicker Jay Feely said after booting two field goals and knocking two kickoffs into the end zone while playing with a fractured kicking foot. Philadelphia, likewise 7-6 after a 21-19 win over Washington, comes up next with just as much playoff motivation as the Giants. And there are two tough games remaining against New Orleans and Washington after that. The Giants' team-oriented but not dominating victory over the 6-7 Panthers didn't guarantee them of any postseason standing, but it took some heat off for a week.

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