Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: How are you doing?

A: I'm good. Good team win. So, we're in the playoffs, right? (Laughs).

Q: How does that feel?

A: It feels good.

Q: What did you think of your team's overall performance today?

A: I thought they played a good, complementary game. I think all the units played well. I think the coaches had them ready to play. Most importantly, they were ready to play from start to finish. And when you're playing in higher-stakes games, as you guys reminded me all week, I thought they did a good job of just focusing on the task at hand and doing the things we needed to do to get a win. So, it's good to get a win. I don't have any injury stuff. Good to get a win.

Q: It seemed like (quarterback) Daniel (Jones) put this team on his shoulders today with his legs, his arm. Talk about what you saw from him and how big he came up in this big moment.

A: Yeah, played well. Very efficient in the passing game. Used his legs well. He's done that all year, though. I've seen that all year from him.

Q: He's had a challenging career until this point, Daniel has. Can you talk about what this moment kind of means for him?

A: I think that would be a good question for him. He's a pretty level-headed guy. So, I don't want to speak for him.

Q: Why the curtain call for Daniel?

A: Because I thought he earned it.

Q: What was the moment like for you when you got a Gatorade bath and you kind of gave the crowd a fist pump there?

A: It was sticky and wet (Laughs). It was good excitement, obviously. You work hard in this business to try to give yourself a chance to play extra innings or more games. So, we have done that. We put ourselves in a position to compete more than just one other game. So, excitement, sure. Definitely.

Q: What does it mean for you? What does it mean for the program to make the playoffs in the first year?

A: I don't know; I'm just happy we won this game. Am I excited? Certainly, I'm excited. But I think you just got to stick with the process that got you here. Got to get ready to play another game. You know, the playoffs are a different breed. They're one and done. But we still got one more game before we get to those. But we'll stick with that. The players will have off tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday. And they'll be back in Wednesday. So, usually we don't give that at all. But I had Daniel break down the team, so he basically gave it to everybody without talking to me (Laughs). So, I said, 'Turn the music back down. Okay, we'll go with what Daniel said.'

Q: What was it like in the locker room after? You see these players, and they're happy. They're excited.

A: Absolutely. You work with these guys every day. A lot of them are my kids' ages. Some of them have had some challenging times here. So, I'm extremely happy for the players, first and foremost, but the staff, trainers, ownership, coaches. Our goal – it'll never be just to make the playoffs. That'll never be just our goal.

Q: What did you think about (safety) Xavier (McKinney) out there today?

A: I thought he was ready to go. Rome (Defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson) came up to me, I think it was the second quarter. We had a plan for how many reps we were going to play him. And he was communicating with Rome (that) he feels good. And Jerome said he was playing good, so we ended up going with him until we took him out.

Q: He was going back into the x-ray room, McKinney was, it looked like. Was that just precautionary?

A: I do not know that. I don't know. I haven't talked to anybody about any injury yet. I hope so.

Q: When (inside linebacker) Jaylon (Smith) gets to (Colts quarterback Nick) Foles, did he pull off because he thought of roughing (the passer), or he lost the ball? Any explanation there?

A: Did you ever play basketball? Do you have a son or a daughter that are younger? And you play with them, and you throw it over their head. And then they look up at the net, and you still have it. That's what I thought happened. He (Jaylon Smith) thought he (Nick Foles) threw it.

Q: You have (inside linebacker) Landon (Collins) here, and he hasn't played. And he has played. Then he hasn't played. That one play (the pick six) – is that nice for him?

A: It was a good play. Ball was thrown inside. He was on it. It was funny. (Defensive coordinator) Wink's (Martindale) done a great job all year. He called a really good game. I'll just chime in there once in a while with my two cents, not on calls. Just I'm like, 'Hey this one's going to the house right here,' before he called it. So, it went to the house. So, on the sack that, I think, (cornerback Nick) McCloud had, he's going, 'I'm going to one up you here: I guarantee this is a sack – probably going to be a strip-sack.' But it was a sack. So, he didn't get the strip-sack. So, I think I won that one.

Q: What did John Mara (president and chief executive officer) say to you after the game, if anything?

A: He said, 'Congratulations.' We just went in there. We talked like we normally do. There's music playing. The reason why I was a little late was (because) I couldn't sit in that Gatorade. So, I had to take a shower. I'm like, '(Senior vice president of communications) Pat (Hanlon), I'm taking a shower right now. I'm so sticky.' So, obviously, he (John Mara) was excited. He was happy, smiling. So, again, I'm very thankful for the players. But again, we made the playoffs. And I credit the players and the coaches and, again, the support staff for all their hard work. But hopefully, there's a long way to go here. But you got to take it one game at a time. Like I've told you before, it's a humbling league. We'll have one more, and then if you lose, you're done. You win, you keep going.

Q: How much of your post-game message to the team was, 'Congrats, but we're not done,'? Because it sounds like you're saying that right now.

A: No, I just said, 'Congrats. Let's be a pro. Let's be smart tonight. It's okay to be happy. You've achieved the first goal of probably every NFL team -- to make the playoffs.' Like you don't start a season and go, 'Oh, boy. I hope we win five games.' I think we're all competitors. It doesn't always go that way. You go through a lot of difficult times during the season. So, I said they should enjoy it, but let's be smart outside the building. Let's not ruin anything that we've been building towards. And this is the most important time of year. Now we're in January. So, do the right thing. You did the right thing on the field. Let's do the right thing off the field.

Q: A lot of these players have lost a lot before you got here. What was it like to see, in the locker room, the joy of some of those veterans, especially, who haven't tasted this at all?

A: Obviously, this is a big win because we clinched a playoff spot. But that's what I like most about coaching is the relationships. But seeing that two to three minutes in the locker room when it's just the team of all the hard work they've put into it to try to get a result that you hope for. And I'm very thankful and appreciative for all the players, the staff, the coaches. But to see smiles on the faces, that's the best time of the week for me is the two to three minutes after a game when you watch these people put so much into it to try to get a result you want. And it's hard every week to do. So, enjoy it. And then let's get back. I wanted to come back on Tuesday, but we'll come back on Wednesday.

Q: You're in a position now – I think – you're locked into the sixth (seed).

A: You would know better than me right now.

Q: You're six (seeded). So, Daniel's given them a couple days off. Any thought to, 'we got to pull back on some guys this week. Or rest (them)'?

A: No.

Q: Will you give yourself any rest?

A: No. You get rest after the season. It's a long season. This is the fun part of the season. It's the fun part of the season when you're winning. It's the bad part of the season when you're losing.

Q: When you say no, is it that you haven't thought about it yet? Or no that you're going to play all the starters?

A: I haven't. I'm just going to enjoy this one right here – go home and smoke a cigar and hang out with my family.

Q: Can you talk about the offensive line play? Everything starts up front, and most of the time, Daniel had a clean pocket and the offensive line going downhill on second-level. Can you talk about that?

A: Yeah, again, that's where the game starts – up front. The guys don't normally get their names in the paper or a bunch of articles written about them, but they do the dirty work that they need to do. And they played some really good guys up front. Those two tackles (DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart) are really good football players. And I think, he (Daniel Jones) didn't get sacked, right? No. And I thought Daniel made some loose plays with his feet, too. You know, with a couple action-type passes that he chose to run on a couple of them and made a couple good reads on some runs. And (running back Matt) Breida finished it off pretty good. I thought him and (running back Gary) Brightwell were running hard on some of those outside runs. And (running back) Saquon (Barkley) was running hard. Saquon is – he's always coming to the sideline, and you can see it in his eyes, every time he touches the ball, he wants to go 80 (yards). So, I'm like, 'Hey, buddy. That was a really good two-yard run.' And he's (gets really upset. So, I'm like,) 'Relax, pal. It was a good two-yard run. It'll come. Let's not go outside of doing what we need to do.' But again, it was a good team win. Everybody contributed. Everybody contributed today.

Q: When you think about the beginning of the season, the style of play that you wanted the team to be known for, do you feel as though that's how they're playing right now?

A: Yeah, we try to be smart, tough, dependable. Be in the right spot; be where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there. Have the playbook down for that particular week. Understand your opponent. And then fight through, whether it's some mental toughness things, throughout the week or physical toughness things. Again, I'm not going to stand up here and give a critique of the season. I do appreciate the question. I think we're competing. We're playing hard. It's not always perfect. Certainly, (there's) things we could all do better. But I think they played a good game today.

Q: The quarterback is the most impactful guy on the team, right? He touches the ball more than any other player.

A: Every play.

Q: How much is that a box for Daniel to sort of check there? Like, people put wins and losses on quarterbacks. And now he led you to the playoffs.

A: It's the same. He played a good game. He's been playing a good games for a while, since we've been here. So, he's making the right decisions, throwing it where he needs to throw it, taking off with his legs, playing good situational football. That's what we need from him week-in and week-out.

Q: What did you say to Haddy (outside linebacker Jihad Ward) on the sideline before? You said something to him. You turned around, and then he sprints back to the Gatorade.

A: I can't remember. I don't remember. When I talk to Haddy, I forget half the things I say to him (Laughs).

Quarterback Daniel Jones

Q: Congratulations on the win today and making the playoffs. Can you talk about the feeling when you realized you put the game away on the sideline? What did that feel like for you guys?

A: That was a special moment. A lot of guys who put in a lot of work. We've been through, certainly, some tougher times and it feels good to be on this side of it, for sure. Special moment with those guys. Really proud of this team, proud of what we did today. Grateful to be a part of it.

Q: Is this sort of a relieving feeling? You've been here for four years and now finally going to the postseason. Is this a relief?

A: Yeah, I mean it's just exciting. I think, like I said, we've been through some tough times and to be on this side of it is a lot of fun. A lot of hard work has gone into it from a lot of different people and like I said, I'm grateful for my teammates, grateful for this organization and looking forward to a lot of work ahead.

Q: Did you know ahead of time that you would come out after that point, after that first down?

A: No, I didn't know. I didn't know.

Q: So they sent you back out there for that drive and then two plays later, (quarterback) Tyrod (Taylor) comes in and that was the first you learned of it?

A: Yeah, I mean I think they said it might come in this drive – we might take you out but I wasn't sure what the situation was or how that was going to work out.

Q: What was your reaction to the reaction that you got when you came off the field?

A: I'm really appreciative, grateful. Our fans have been tremendous all year. They supported us today, they came out and brought a lot of energy. The whole game, we felt it and fed off it the whole game. Grateful, really appreciative of their support for me personally and for our team.

Q: You had 91 yards rushing today. Can you just share a little bit about your evolution from when you started in the league in running, when to slide, when to go head on to what you saw today? You took a couple of shots there on the touchdowns you had.

A: I think I've learned in those situations and continue to learn, continue to study where I can get down, where I can protect myself better in some of those situations. If there's ever a chance to score or get in the endzone, obviously you're going to try to do that. I've learned a lot. Today, we were running the ball well early on and that opened up some things off of it. The guys up front did a great job all day controlling the line of scrimmage and opening up some holes for (running back) Saquon (Barkley) and for me.

Q: Not many people have their names chanted in this building. Do you feel like today represented a personal breakthrough for you beyond just making the playoffs?

A: I don't know. Like I said, I'm really appreciative and grateful for the support of the fans. It's a team thing and this was a complete team win today. All three phases played really well. On offense, we executed, did our jobs. Like I said, the guys up front played really well. Just proud of this team, proud of this team to come out in a game like this – an opportunity to clinch the playoffs. We put together a good game, played really well. Just proud to be part of it.

Q: What has (head coach) Brian Daboll meant for you and for your career?

A: He's meant a lot. He's meant a lot. I've learned a lot from him. A lot of football. I've grown a lot as a player. I appreciate his support and giving me the chance to go out there and play. He's helped me a lot, he's helped all of us a lot. Definitely grateful for him.

Q: What makes him so easy to play for, for you?

A: His passion for the game. His competitive spirit. All that you respect about him and it makes you want to play for a guy like that. We appreciate him, he's helped us all a lot.

Q: Did you think about giving him a Gatorade bath yourself?

A: I let some of the other guys handle it. Certainly grateful, very appreciative of him.

Q: It seemed like (outside linebacker) Jihad (Ward) was a little excited in the locker room after the game.

A: Yeah, he certainly was. He brings the energy, brings the juice every day. He's a great teammate, great player.

Q: You're very supportive of your teammates. (Wide receiver) Richie James – seven targets, seven catches today. When you think about where Richie started in the beginning of the year to where he is right now, the ups and downs, can you comment on the bond that you two have connected with?

A: Yeah, I think he deserves a lot of credit. He's played great all year. Early on and really, I think he's been consistent throughout the whole year. Stepped up and made a ton of plays for us. He's a really good football player, knows where to be, knows how to get open, knows feel for spaces and uncovering in zones and can beat man-to-man coverage. He's played great for us. His work ethic, his demeanor every day – if you'd see that, you wouldn't be surprised by it. He's a really good football player.

Q: For you personally, will you savor this one a little bit more? Being drafted as high as you were and some of the early struggles, will you allow yourself to enjoy this one?

A: Yeah, I will. Like I said – we'll enjoy it, we'll celebrate it, but I think we all understand there's a lot of work to do ahead of us. There's a lot still out there for us, a lot we can work on and work to improve on. We'll enjoy it. It's hard to win in this league as we've learned and it's hard to make the playoffs. We'll enjoy it but there's a lot still out there for us.

Q: Has something changed in the last two weeks that have allowed your numbers to sort of spike from where they were?

A: Yeah, I don't know if anything's changed. I think it's just the way the games have worked out and guys have stepped up and made a lot of plays. We'll continue to take what the defense is giving us and just execute as well as we can.

Q: Can you talk about where the thought came to give the guys Monday? Coach Daboll talked about typically you would have Tuesday off but you gave them Monday and Tuesday off. He said you didn't consult with him.

A: I don't know. That was a group decision I think.

Q: You've walked off the field at times and heard the crowd not be so kind. What was it like when you get the curtain call and you walk off the field and it's the chants of Daniel?

A: It beats the alternative, for sure. Really appreciative of the fans and their support of us. It was a big team game. I thought we executed as well as we have all year. Certainly some things we can improve on but I thought every guy did their job and played really good football in a big game for us. Proud to be a part of that.

Q: The same player who committed a personal foul on you hit you on that touchdown run right after that. Do you feel like it's part of your responsibility as a quarterback to be willing to sacrifice your body on runs like that? Is that part of your commitment to the team?

A: Yeah, I think whenever you have a situation or an opportunity to score a touchdown – you're going to do that regardless of if you're going to get hit or not. I'll continue to look and see where I can protect myself and be smart in those situations but when I have an opportunity to score, I'm definitely going to try to do that.

Running Back Saquon Barkley

Q: I asked you the other day about what it would mean to you to make the playoffs. You said it's everyone's dream to make the playoffs in the NFL, so I'm wondering what do you think now, afterwards, that you actually made the playoffs and how special is that to you knowing what you guys went through the last couple of years?

A: Yeah, it's real special. It's a huge accomplishment. You've got to give credit to all the guys—from OTAs, coming in every single day with the right mindset, with the right work ethic. I've got to give credit to the coaches. And it's a beautiful thing. I mean no one, let's be honest, no one besides the men and women in that facility gave us a chance to accomplish this and we just stuck to the script, kept believing in each other and gave ourselves the opportunity and we did it. But at the end of the day, we've still got next week to get ready for and you want to make it to the playoffs, but it's not like when you're making the playoffs it's not like you've won the Super Bowl. You give yourself a chance to compete for a Super Bowl, so it's just another step ahead and we've just got to keep working.

Q: You've been in a lot of games here. Did this one feel different from start to finish? I mean it was a rout first of all, and it was like a party, and where the fan were, did it feel like you hadn't really experienced this before?

A: Yeah, it was fun. You could feel the energy just driving here from the fans. We challenged the fans—the coaches, the captains, the team—and they showed up. They showed up, man. They were loud, made a lot of noise and created the energy that we needed and we were able to win the game because of them.

Q: Can you talk a little bit about (Giants QB) Daniel Jones?

A: I mean, I feel like I've been saying it all year. He's a heck of a player, heck of a quarterback. I think it really showed, not just today, but the whole season and I'm just happy for him. Hearing his name getting chanted—it's a beautiful thing and you can finally see he's starting to get the respect that he earns. I know everyone wanted to be a big critic of him and say this and say that, but he gave us the opportunity to play playoff football and he locked it in today. When we needed him most he came up and made big plays.

Q: Have you ever seen him play better than today for a full game?

A: Uh, nah, he was ballin'. (Laughs). He was ballin' today. I think—what was the one, his rookie year he went stupid too? He threw like five touchdowns against…

Q: Washington (12/22/2019).

A: Washington, right? But yeah, just the whole season, like there's so many critical plays. So many moments where he stepped up and was big for us and gave us the opportunity. And you know what, we're going to need it. We're going to need a couple more of that down the stretch.

Q: It looked like you were the first one to greet him as he came off the field. What did you say to him?

A: I told him, "I love you." I think that was a cool moment. Hearing his name be chanted. I know it's been a tough couple years here and since I've been drafted or before I got drafted or since he's been drafted, but it's just cool to see he's finally getting the respect that he earns because that guy, he works his tail off. I think I said it to one of you guys earlier, he's the toughest quarterback in the league. He'll do whatever it takes to help the team win football games. He comes to work every single day with that mentality and I'm just happy for him.

Q: What does it mean to you to get a career high in yards with some difficult things those early years in terms of injuries? You might not be your best in every category, but you're best in yards. What does that mean to you?

A: I really don't focus too much on the numbers. My goal this offseason was to get back to myself. I think everyone gets caught up in the numbers and gets caught up in the stats. I think stats are a beautiful thing, but I don't distinguish stats like, oh who's this and who's that? I think it's when you turn on film, you can see how talented a guy was and I wanted to show the Giants organization that the guy that they drafted is still here and I think if you turn on the film from last year and you turn on the film from this year, whether I had better stats or I don't, you can just tell there's a big difference.

Q: Is there a toughness to this team that has kind of been developed this year that kind of showed itself today, especially when they got a couple shots against Daniel and it seemed like a bunch of you guys were right out there immediately to kind of stand up for him and stand up really for all you guys.

A: It's been like that all year. We're a really good, good group of guys that care about each other and will do whatever it takes to help each other win and have got each other's back. It's been like that since camp. I think we got into a brawl in camp earlier or late in camp. If we would fight each other, we'll fight anybody, you know what I mean? And that's the mindset that you've got to have, especially going down the stretch and going against a tough team like Philly and into the playoffs and that's what helped us. That's what helped us the whole year. Just leaning on each other, trusting each other, never wavering, and that's what we're going to continue to need.

Q: Talk about (Giants Head Coach Brian) Dabs (Daboll). What's it like playing for him and how he's galvanized this locker room throughout the course of the year and now into the playoffs?

A: I mean I don't think he gets enough respect of how competitive he is. He always talks about competitive stamina, competitive mindset, and it kind of starts with your coach. It kind of started week one when we scored a touchdown and you go for two. I think it starts there. It shows the trust that he has in us, the belief that he has in us. And when a guy like that is your head coach, showing him that as a player you don't want to go out there and let him down, you want to enhance your level of play. And he's been doing that all year from start to finish—from once he came in, just the energy he was able to bring to the facility, not only him, but (General Manger) Joe (Schoen) too, all the coaches, they've been doing a phenomenal job and I think the players are feeding off that.

Q: Coach of the Year?

A: I think so.

Q: Do you feel like you are a dangerous playoff team and if so, why?

A: Do I feel like we're a dangerous playoff team? I think it's the playoffs, anything can happen. You have to take it one play at a time and one game at a time. You get one shot. You win, you go on. You lose, you go home.

Q: Do you feel like you're a hot team right now?

A: Yeah. I think we're clicking at the right moment, giving ourselves a great chance. And to go back to your question, I think we're a team that has shown that no matter what, down by 10, down by 17, we're going to fight and that's a scary team to go against that will never go away.

Q: When your quarterback leads the way that (QB) Daniel (Jones) did and his willingness to take those kinds of hits. What kind of impact does that have on the team?

A: I think he should get down a little bit more (laughs). He kind of got a little stiff arm in today too, he put buddy to the ground and someone else made the tackle. But it just shows he's willing to do whatever it takes. I can sit here and I can speak on that but you can go and watch it on Sundays. You guys don't see it, but I get here pretty early and every single time I get here early, there's a car that is going to be here before me and it's (Quarterback) Daniel Jones. He's the first one in and last one to leave. He really lives that mentality. He has that mentality and he is tough. He's a heck of a player, a heck of a guy, a heck of a teammate and he's our captain, our leader. When you have that guy at the quarterback position, you believe you can win any game.

Q: He's (QB Daniel Jones) hard to get a read on, did you sense that he enjoyed that moment?

A: For sure. He really doesn't show it but we're human. At the end of the day, I don't want to speak for him but he heard what everybody had to say. He heard what you guys said about him in this room. Everyone loves that. It's not like his feelings or ego. He went out there and he got the respect of the fans. Not just anyone gets a chant in the stadium. It shows the respect that he earned and he went out there and played lights out in a game that we needed him to.

Q: While the season is not over, when you think of the identity of the team now versus when you started training camp with a new coach, new administration, a lot of new players. Do you feel as though you are meeting the expectations you thought it could be or exceeding what the identity is of the team?

A: I think we're meeting it. We came in and wanted to be smart, tough, dependable. That is something (Head) Coach (Daboll) Dabs said. I want smart, tough, dependable guys. That's why we win football games. I think if you go in that locker room, you are going to see a lot of smart, tough, dependable guys.

Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence

Q: What was Coach [Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll] like after the game?

A: Loud, dancing, laughing, so emotions. It's all of the signs of excitement. We worked hard, starting in the spring with these guys with the new coaching staff, and it's all playing out.

Q: You mentioned that it's not about one game; you guys wouldn't be here if not for the stuff you did earlier in the year, then you went through that down-swing, but now you have fought back and you've played pretty well a couple of weeks in a row now, so what does that say about this team that you're able to fight through the down times and get back to where you were?

A: Just knowing that it's more than just about ourselves. We play for each other; we love to compete for each other, we love to just go out and put good stuff on tape and good stuff on film. There's a lot of guys that understand their job and their roles, and we all play them.

Q: We talk about understanding jobs and roles, Landon Collins [Giants ILB] is a perfect example, right? He comes in, went through a large part of the season where he didn't play, now he's been playing more and got a big pick-six today. He and the other guys that kind of have their role and had to step into bigger roles than maybe they expected, why has it worked the way that it has with so many different guys contributing?

A: It's unselfishness. It's playing for more than ourselves; for a guy just to sit for a lot of weeks and be out and then come in the past few weeks and have make some big plays, it just shows that he [Giants ILB Landon Collins] cares. He cares for us, he cares about the game, and it's a lot of respect to that.

Q: Who choreographed your sack dance?

A: I did.

Q: You made it up on the spot?

A: Yes, that's mine.

Q: Are you going to trademark it?

A: Don't worry about that. Yes, I did.

Q: Have you had a more fun sack dance this year?

A: It's been my dance the whole year, but it's my latest one and this was a big one [big game today], so it's probably my best one.

Q: How much fun was it to be able to clinch [a spot in the 2022 Playoffs] the way you did today?

A: Pretty good. We played well on all three sides of the ball: special teams, offense and defense, good complementary football, and that is what we try to preach everyday. If one side of the ball is doing well, the other side has to complement it and I think we all came out to play as hard as we can with just great technique and discipline.

Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Q: What are your emotions now that you guys are in the playoffs?

A: It's a blessing; just to come and play at the highest stage and then have an opportunity to go win it all, you couldn't dream for anything better.

Q: Can this team make some noise?

A: I think in the playoffs, it's every man for themselves. Any team can win it all. It's up to us to keep staying consistent and keep doing the things that got us here and just keep moving forward.

Q: What did you think of the crowd today?

A: The crowd was electric. I think that is what we are going to need moving forward. Whatever home games we do get, however we can travel, fans – y'all need to be there.

Q: Obviously, everything went right then there was…

A: No, not everything went right. Let's not say that. We worked, we grinded, we had been losing, we bounced back, we fought, and all of the things that we had to correct we went and corrected them and we are going to keep working. I want to give Daniel Jones credit. He played better ball than – he has played a lot of games and he is our leader. I've said that a thousand times, but from the top of the line to the bottom of the line, everybody took it serious and we all had to get right what we needed to get right.

Q: You chased down that ball for (inside linebacker) Landon (Collins) after the interception and seemed like you handed it to him after his pick-six. You went and got it?

A: Yes, you've got to go get the ball because that's a part of his history, that's part of his story now. I just had to make sure that he got that.

Q: Kayvon, can you talk about how this team has grown through the adversity? You had that stretch and how you guys have been so resilient to get to this point?

A: I think the biggest thing in sports is consistency. You talk about being resilient, I think the hard part about the word 'resilient' is that it makes it seem as if you weren't working hard in the beginning. For us, it's been understanding that we have been working hard, but there are still things that we can get better at and not being satisfied with what we have done. It's all about what you can do.

Linebacker Landon Collins

Q: Landon, eight years in league and this was certainly an emotional year for you. Coming back to this team in October and now to make the playoffs. What's running through your head these days?

A: This is a great opportunity. Glad to be back like I said before. Just a blessing just to be back in the locker room with these guys, having fun and playing ball. That's the biggest thing. Making (sure) we have the opportunity and now we have the opportunity to continue to clinch the playoffs, we clinched the playoffs and now do our thing.

Q: This was the second pick-six of your career. Now, the significance of it though, in a playoff clincher has to mean a whole lot more, doesn't it?

A: No (laughs). Honestly, it's just more of the fact that like, making a play for our team and just making sure we're set. That was the biggest thing and just making sure for the next play. Just turn the page, and even though I made a pick, now let's just finish it because that team can still come back if anything happens. So, at the end of the day, I just finished this, made a play, on to the next thing now.

Q: You made the playoffs with the Giants in 2016, what is it about this team that allowed them to make the playoffs besides the talent around them?

A: Oh man, the togetherness, how steadfast this team is, how family oriented this team is, and how everybody stays accountable, and we keep each other accountable. Everybody stays on other each just about any old thing because that's how this thing goes.

Q: What will you tell your teammates who have not made the playoffs about what the post-season is like and how to deal with it?

A: Really just, not next week but the sense of urgency is through the roof. Every little detail, every little fine thing that we need to be perfect on, we have to be perfect on.

Q: Can you just take us through that pick? What you saw on the play and how you came up with the catch?

A: Formation wise, like I said I'm a big formation kind of guy. I watched this play almost six times throughout the week and I saw it number one (wide receiver Parris Campbell) breaking out and I had the flat, I just broke my underneath it and took it to the house.

Q: What is it about this group that allows everyone to accept their role? Even if it's not a big role, it's a small role that will step in. Maybe just playing third downs, playing 40 percent of the snaps but play a big role and everyone's willing to accept that for the betterment of the team.

A: It's just being humble. Everybody in this locker room is very humble. We know that we've got guys to go make plays. When your name is called, just do what you need to do to make that play for that team, for that down, for any situation that you're called upon.