By Steve Ginsburg
LANDOVER, Maryland (Reuters) - The New York Giants saw out the NFL regular season with a win over Washington but were left to lament the missed opportunities that cost them a place in the playoffs.
Despite their 17-14 win over the Redskins Sunday, the Giants were eliminated after the Green Bay Packers earned the NFC's wildcard berth by defeating the Chicago Bears 10-3.
"We showed up and didn't quit," said Giants linebacker Keith Bulluck. "We could have easily just let this game go and let it be what it is and go on to the off-season.
"We showed that we're definitely one of the best teams in the league and, unfortunately, we squandered opportunities to go to the postseason in the last two weeks."
New York finished the season with a 10-6 record but a pair of devastating losses in their previous two games left the Giants needing the Packers to lose to NFC North champions Chicago.
The Giants had squandered a 31-10 lead in the final eight minutes in a 38-31 loss to the Eagles and the following week were blown out by the Packers 45-17.
Defensive tackle Barry Cofield said the Giants blew their chances for the postseason and had no one to blame but themselves.
"This is the most somber winning locker room that you will ever see," he added. "That's because we fell short of our goals.
"It will take time but eventually we'll look back and be proud that we finished the way we did."
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora said not making the postseason was a bitter end to the season.
"Looking at the teams that are in, we could have beaten any one of those teams," he said. "This is very difficult but that's the way it happens sometimes.
"We just have to apologize to all of the fans for the end of the season, the last two games before this one."
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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