f those things, he said.He paused and laughed, Well, I mean I have; I drank plenty but its just not from the collection I was

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With two games left in the regular season, the New York Giants and Detroit Lions are in just-win mode when it comes to the playoffs.The Giants (10-4) are just a win away from ending a four-year postseason drought after beating the Lions 17-6 on Sunday for their eighth win in nine games.If New York beats either Philadelphia (5-9) on Thursday night or Washington (7-5-1) in the regular season finale on New Years Day, they are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011.Of course, they can make it even if they lost both road games, but winning makes life easier.It feels fantastic, said receiver Victor Cruz, who played on the 2011 team that won the Super Bowl.Anytime you are in a position, this is what coach talks about. Being in contention, playing meaningful football in December, and thats where we are. And we just want to continue that trend and obviously work toward a playoff win.The Giants defense continues to carry the team. The unit has given up a total of 13 points in beating Dallas and Detroit, both division leaders.Eli Manning threw two touchdowns, including a game-clinching 4-yarder with 5:47 to play that Odell Beckham Jr. hauled in with his left hand.Norm, Cruz said of the catch. The norm. I wasnt even surprised.The Lions (9-5) like the Giants control their own destiny despite the loss. They are at Dallas a week from Monday and finish at home against the Green Bay Packers (8-6), who trail them by a game in the NFC North.Even if Detroit loses next week, the contest against the Packers probably would set up a winner-take-all game for the division.We just keep taking one at a time, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said. Well take a look at this tape, there will be some stuff we would wish we couldve done better. I know Im in that boat, so well figure it out and just play better next time around.The defeat did drop Detroit to the No. 3 seed in the conference as the Seahawks now hold the second spot and the reward of an opening playoff bye.If the postseason started next weekend, the Lions would host a game in the wild-card round. They can solidify their position with a win on Dec. 26 in Dallas.NO STAFFORD WOES: The worries about the injured middle finger on Staffords throwing hand were largely unfounded.Stafford brushed off the injury, saying I felt pretty good. His performance largely backed up the statement. He was 24 of 39 for 273 yards, including 67-yard pass to Golden Tate.I thought he played good football, Tate said of Stafford. I thought he definitely gave us a chance. Thats a tough guy and will never question him ever. We just needed to be a little bit better all around.PUGH BACK: After missing the past five games with a knee injury, left guard Justin Pugh was back in the lineup, and it helped.Pugh, perhaps the teams top lineman, New York rushed for 114 yards, its third-highest total of the season. It is 5-1 in games where it rushes for at least 100 yards. New York also tied a season high with seven third-down conversions on 15 attempts.The offense, however, continues to struggle. It gained 300 yards against Detroit, the first time it hit that number in the past four games.We know that we can make plays and we can have that game where we score 28 or 35, so we cant force it, quarterback Eli Manning said after completing 20 of 28 for 201 yards. We just have to wait for the opportunities, be patient with them.LIONS LACK RUN: Leading rusher Theo Riddick missed his second straight game with a wrist injury. Detroit rushed for 56 yards, the second-lowest total by a Giants opponent this season. Dwayne Washington led the way with 31 yards on 14 carries. His first one was for 12 yards so he 19 on his final 13.HOME SWEET HOME: The Giants finished 7-1 at home in the regular season, winning their last six.It was their best home record at MetLife since the stadium opened in 2010. They were 6-2 in 2012. The previous time they finished 7-1 at home was in 2008, when they played at Giants Stadium.INJURIES: Detroit starting CB Darius Slay left in the second quarter after aggravating a hamstring injury. New York lost CB Janoris Jenkins in the second quarter with a back injury. Giants backup QB Ryan Nassib was inactive because of a recurring elbow injury.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLMike Cuellar Astros Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. Mike Scott Astros Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. https://www.cheapastros.com/1933o-cionel-perez-jersey-astros.html . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. Cy Sneed Astros Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Andy Pettitte Astros Jersey . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season.LONG POND, Pa. -- Jeff Gordon weaved his way through a mob of fans outside the media center, all screaming for an autograph from a driver they thought would never again wear a firesuit.He stepped over the tripod legs of three TV cameras lined against a side wall, patted a reporter on the back and took a seat on the dais where he was peppered with questions about how long his comeback tour might last.Ill be here as long as they need me, Gordon said. I say that very loosely.At Pocono Raceway, Gordon made it seem for hundreds of fans on Friday like he never left racing.Gordon 2.0 will last only as long as Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains sidelined with concussion-like symptoms. Earnhardt will miss his third straight race Sunday and Gordon will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet for the second straight weekend. There is no timetable on Earnhardts return.What should have been a leisurely first summer of retirement for a driver once sponsored by AARP has instead turned into a hectic world tour for Gordon. He was vacationing in France when team owner Rick Hendrick asked him to come out of retirement. He returned to racing at the Brickyard in Indianapolis. Then it was off to a sponsorship commitment in Mexico. This weekend, he looks to extend his track record for wins with his seventh.His busiest task?Doing some laundry, Gordon said, smiling.Gordon can handle the busy load, though hes unsure how many more weeks he will be needed as NASCARs most popular substitute. Earnhardt warned Monday that his return to NASCAR could take longer than planned. No decision has been made by Hendrick Motorsports about next weeks race at Watkins Glen.With an off week following that, the smart move could involve benching Earnhardt at least one more race. Gordon, a four-time NASCAR champion who turns 45 on Thursday, would make his 800th career start at the Glen.Its pretty cool that he has the opportunity to come out of retirement, Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch said. Its neat to have him here, of course.Busch led the most laps last week at the Brickyard en route to his second straight Indy win. Gordon was 13th in his sentimental return to Indy.I never saw him on the racetrack, Busch said.Gordon could be more of a factor at Pocono, and maybe beyond. He starts 24th -- his old car number that has since been yielded to Chase Elliott -- in Sundays race.Its even more odd that it went from one race to two races, he said. And tthen will it be more? I dont know.ddddddddddddGordon and Earnhardt chat via FaceTime and Junior has offered some advice on the 88. Gordon has assured his one-time teammate that his recovery should be his only priority.Just get well at the pace that is the right pace to do it, Gordon said. Nobody is putting any pressure or time frame on that.Gordon battled through his own health woes over the second-half of his career, suffering in stretches from consistent, shooting back pain.I could fight through it longer if I had to. I prefer not to, he said.Gordon should be cashing in on the perks of retirement.Imagine, Gordon at home dealing cards on the blackjack table presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway while his gambling buddies take turns sipping from the 24 bottles of bourbon presented by Kentucky Speedway, or enjoying a perfect pour from an 18-liter wine bottle from Sonoma Raceway.Outside, the Shetland ponies from Texas Motor Speedway are stabled nearby to the Bandolero car from Atlanta Motor Speedway.OK, not quite.Gordon was feted with dozens of retirement presents from tracks in 2015, and hes too appreciative of the gestures to re-gift them to other friends. Most of the souvenirs are in storage.We havent done any blackjack and havent drank any whisky or wine or any of those things, he said.He paused and laughed, Well, I mean I have; I drank plenty but its just not from the collection I was given as a gift.Gordon would surely make an exception if he could bust open a bottle of bubbly in victory lane on Sunday.Gordon paused before he returned to the garage for a brief chat with track President Brandon Igdalsky (ever been to the south of France?) and opened the door where the crowd of pesky autograph seekers had grown.They waved No. 24 diecasts and No. 24 hats and No. 24 photos in his face.The fans should save their old memorabilia -- he remained adamant that no authorized merchandise of Gordon in the 88 would be produced.I have too much respect for what Dales going through, Gordon said.Yes, Gordons return has created quite the buzz during a lazy summer NASCAR season, but its not forgotten the excitement has come at the expense of the health of NASCARs most popular driver.I like seeing him, Igdalsky said as Gordon left, but I wish I didnt have to see him. ' ' '