Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz races for a 74-yard touchdown play on a pass from Eli Manning in the first quarter Sunday night, sending Big Blue to a 31-14, regular-season-closing victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The win gave the Giants (9-7) the NFC East title, and sent the Cowboys (8-8) home and out of the playoff tournament.

Giants running back D.J. Ware feels the squeeze in the second half Sunday night — but he and his New York teammates prevailed 31-14 over the Dallas Cowboys to claim the NFC East title and a playoff date with the Atlanta Falcons next week.

It was chilly in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday night — but Cowboys QB Tony Romo sure was feeling the heat.

Cowboys running back Felix Jones looks to turn the corner as Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn goes all-out for a stop.

Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul sacks Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo during the teams' showdown for the NFC East title.

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw celebrates his five-yard, second-quarter touchdown run Sunday night as wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) races to join the party — and Dallas linebacker Keith Brooking looks on glumly.

Saints running back Chris Ivory strikes a Heisman Trophy-like pose as he breaks away from Panthers safety Charles Godfrey in the fourth quarter of New Orleans' 45-17 home victory.

San Francisco running back Anthony Dixon breaks a tackle attempt by Rams safety Craig Dahl during the 49ers' 34-27 win in St. Louis. The playoff-bound Niners finished the season 13-3, while the Rams wound up 2-14.

Rams receiver Danario Alexander tries to give 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman the shake after a first-quarter completion in St. Louis.

Rams receiver Brandon Lloyd catches a touchdown pass ahead of 49ers safety Donte Whitner in the second half of San Francisco's 34-27 road win.

Eagles running back Dion Lewis celebrates scoring a fourth-quarter TD against the Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field.

Eagles tight end Brent Celek barrels for a touchdown against the Redskins in the fourth quarter of Philly's 34-10 home win.

Eagles linebacker Keenan Clayton tackles Redskins receiver Brandon Banks in the second quarter in Philly. The Eagles — dubbed the Dream Team in the preseason — finished the season a very un-Dreamy 8-8.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham catches a touchdown pass — just before he's sandwiched between Panthers safety Sherrod Martin (left) and linebacker James Anderson.

Cam Newton's rookie season ended Sunday with just a 6-10 record, but the Carolina QB still produced a pile of eye-popping stats and tons of thrills — and most important, hope for Panthers fans. Here, Newton eludes Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson during Carolina's 45-17 road loss.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham holds on to the ball as Panthers linebacker Jordan Senn lands on top of him during New Orleans' 45-17 home win.

Titans strong safety Jordan Babineaux tries but fails to grab Texans running back Ben Tate from behind as Tennessee's Cortland Finnegan trails the play in the third quarter. The Titans won, 23-22, in Houston.

Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez holds tight as he's tackled by  Bills cornerback Aaron Williams in the fourth quarter of New England's 49-21 home win. The Pats finished 13-3, while Buffalo, after a 3-0 start, wound up 6-10.

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski prepares to haul in a perfect spiral for a third-quarter touchdown against the Bills.

Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez looks for yards after the catch on this fourth-quarter reception against the Bills in Foxborough.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) gains three yards in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. The Bears defeated the Vikings 17-13.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Webb (14) gets sacked by Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) and free safety Brandon Meriweather (31) in the second half Sunday. The Bears won 17-13.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Donnie Avery (82) makes the catch for a touchdown in front of Houston Texans cornerback Jason Allen (30) in the second quarter Sunday. The Titans won the game, 23-22.

New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) is tackled by Miami Dolphins inside linebacker Kevin Burnett (56) Sunday.

New York Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress (17) is pushed out of bounds by Miami Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith (24) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won, 19-17.

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Dawan Landry (26) tackles Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark (44) during the second half at EverBank Field. Jacksonville defeated Indianapolis 19-13.

Lions running back Kevin Smith looks for the gap against the Packers.

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick shows off his running abilities as he is is chased by Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin rushes for a 5 yard touchdown as Bears cornerback Corey Graham fails to stop him in the first quarter.

Saints wide receiver Marques Colston catches a touchdown over Panthers safety Sherrod Martin.

Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley hauls in a catch in front of Dolphins free safety Will Allen.

Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew stiff arms Colts linebacker Ernie Sims.

Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon gets some big air for a catch as Jaguars safety Dawan Landry defends.

Lions tight end Tony Scheffler is wrapped up by Packers linebacker Vic So'oto.

The Packers' Jordy Nelson breaks away from the Lions' Alphonso Smith for a seven-yard touchdown reception.

Texans quarterback T.J. Yates scrambles but is sacked by the Titans on this play.

The Bills' Steve Johnson makes a touchdown grab ahead of the Patriots' Kyle Arrington (24) in the first half.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) catches a touchdown pass behind Detroit Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith (27) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. The Packers won the game, 45-41.

Redskins receiver Santana Moss is unable to make the catch as Eagles safety Nate Allen (top) and cornerback Joselio Hanson  defend during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won, 34-10.

Rams running back Steven Jackson dashes for a 10-yard gain against the 49ers in St. Louis.