Giant Win Is a Real Close Call : McFadden’s Kick Barely Clears Bar, Beats Saints, 13-12

NEW ORLEANS —  It wasn’t Paul McFadden’s best kick, but it was good enough for the New York Giants--just barely.

McFadden’s 35-yard field goal with 21 seconds left Sunday night just did clear the crossbar to give the Giants a 13-12 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

The Giants (8-5) remained tied with Philadelphia for the lead in the NFC East. The Saints (9-4) lead San Francisco by a game in the NFC West.

“I was the only problem,” McFadden said. “The snap and hold were fine. The protection was great. I just didn’t kick it as well as I should have.”

Jeff Rutledge hit Stephen Baker on a 33-yard pass play to the New Orleans 12 to set up McFadden’s kick.

McFadden, who admits he feels the pressure, said that as time wound down, “I felt like I was holding the roof up. I get the jitters on extra points.”

The Giants, playing without starting quarterback Phil Simms, scored on an 85-yard touchdown pass play from Jeff Hostetler to Baker in the second quarter to take a 7-6 lead, but New Orleans had a 9-7 lead at halftime on Morten Andersen’s third of four field goals.

Andersen’s field goals carried 27 yards in the first quarter, 41 yards and 26 yards in the second period and 45 yards midway through the final quarter after the Giants took a 10-9 lead on McFadden’s 46-yard field goal.

But Andersen, who has made 80% of his field goal attempts in his seven-year NFL career, missed a chip-shot 29-yarder in the third quarter that would have given the Saints a 12-7 lead.

Jeff Rutledge, activated off injured reserve on Friday, replaced Hostetler for the second half and directed both drives to McFadden’s field goals.

Hostetler finished with 5 completions in 10 attempts for 128 yards. Rutledge completed 11 of 17 passes for 113 yards.

Bobby Hebert of New Orleans completed 15 of 33 passes for 145 yards, but threw 3 interceptions.

Dalton Hilliard rushed for 97 yards in 21 carries for the Saints.