Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants: Highlights: Watch Video Recap

The New York Giants upended the Atlanta Falcons, 24-2, to advance in the playoffs, and these were the game-changing plays that led to their victory.

The Giants resurrected their running game at the right time, as they were able to rush for 172 yards against the Falcons, and Eli Manning turned in a big day as well with 277 yards passing and three touchdowns.

After the Giants defense smothered the Falcons offense, Manning took advantage of the opportunities down the field and burned the Falcons defense with long passing plays to Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks.

Here are the highlights from the Giants' dominating performance.

Giants Defense Stuff Matt Ryan

While the play ultimately cost them three points, it helped them gain two points with a Giants safety on the ensuing drive.

The Falcons were driving down the field and made it to the Giants 24-yard line before attempting a 4th-and-inches quarterback sneak with Matt Ryan.

Atlanta decided to attempt the quarterback sneak rather than kick the field goal, and it left the Falcons scoreless on the drive. It was another controversial call by Mike Smith, and it would set the pace for the Giants defense for the rest of the game.

Atlanta Falcons Force Safety

The first points of the game came as a result of the Falcons defense getting pressure on Eli Manning.

The defense flushed Manning out of the pocket, and as he was retreating in the end zone, James Sanders grabbed him and slung him down to the ground.

Manning had no other choice but to throw the ball away, and it didn't cross the line of scrimmage, therefore resulting in a safety.

Brandon Jacobs 34-Yard Run

Brandon Jacobs showed why he's one of the most feared tailbacks in the league, as he hit the hole to his right and broke tackles to set the Giants up inside the red zone.

Jacobs rumbled, tumbled and stumbled his way down the sideline, and it gave the Giants the spark they needed to continue to pound the ball for the rest of the drive.

As a result of Jacobs efforts, the Giants would ground-and-pound their way toward the end zone that eventually led to an Eli Manning touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks.

The play's featured in the last slide at the 1:02 mark.

Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks Touchdown Pass

After running the ball down the Falcons throat, the Giants ran a play-action pass on 1st-and-goal and Eli Manning hit Hakeem Nicks on a slant to put the Giants up 7-2 in the first half.

Manning threw it up where Nicks was the only receiver that could pull it down and Nicks made an athletic play on the ball to reel it in.

In a game that was dominated by defense, this touchdown score would prove to be a difference-maker.

Ahmad Brashaw's 30-Yard Scamper

Ahmad Bradshaw didn't let Brandon Jacobs have all the fun, as he busted a 30-yard run in the third quarter to set up a field goal.

He busted through the line like he shot out of a cannon and had a nice stiff arm at the end of the run to get the Giants deep into Falcons' territory.

You can watch the play at the 1:47 minute mark on the last slide.

Matt Ryan Denied Again

As closely-contested as this game was for three quarters, the Giants broke loose when Mike Smith decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 again, and Matt Ryan was denied yet again.

This was a huge momentum swing, as the Falcons got near the red zone for a second time and came away with no points. The Giants would bust it open on the next drive. Check it out at the 2:40 mark.

Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks Touchdown Pass No. 2

Hakeem Nicks did his best Victor Cruz impression with that 72-yard touchdown reception. Eli Manning hit Nicks on a wide open 5-and-in pattern and Nicks took it from there.

Nicks split the defense with a nice juke and it was wide open spaces for Nicks all the way to the end zone.

Nicks proved with that play that Cruz isn't the only home run hitter on this team. The play put the Giants up 17-2 and was the beginning of the Falcons' inevitable demise.

Eli Manning to Mario Manningham Touchdown

You can't throw it any better than that.

Mario Manningham was covered by James Saunders and had outside help from Dunta Robinson, but that didn't matter because of the placement of Manning's pass.

Manning led Manningham with a gorgeous spiral that fell right in front of Manningham's arms. It was a beautiful pass, and it was the icing on the cake for the Giants' eventual victory.

See the 3:40 minute mark on the next slide to watch the perfectly-placed pass.

Game Highlights

Here are the full game highlights.