200 yards...600 feet....2 football fields....no matter how you measure it, in terms of football, it's a long way. Tiki Barber seems to have an affinity for the mark as he surpassed the 200+ rushing yard mark for the third time this season against the Oakland Raiders on Saturday in a 30-21 victory. The win clinched the NFC East for the Giants as they look to the playoffs next.
While Tiki controlled the ground game Eli Manning and Plaxico Burress manned the airways as Burress had 5 catches for 128 yards including a 78 yard touchdown score. Barber also got in the action as he caught 6 passes for 60 yards on the day.
After Saturday's game Tiki sat atop the NFL in rushing yards but with Seattle's Shaun Alexander still having a game to play on Sunday expect Tiki lose that mark. Regardless however Tiki enjoyed what is easily his finest season as a pro this year and can look forward to the playoffs and a trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii after the season as well. After the game Saturday Tiki had this to offer, "We have a lot of confidence. I'm just playing good right now, and I know it."
Barber's 95 yard touchdown run broke a franchise record of 91 yards by Hap Moran in 1930. With 1860 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns this year Tiki established numerous records for the Giants along the way and now he and his teammates focus on the task at hand...the playoffs. The former Virginia star will enjoy another trip to the Pro Bowl but we're betting he'd rather make a stop at the Super Bowl first.
Former Virginia star Tiki Barber runs downfield against the hapless Oakland Raider defense.