Eli has worst outing of year

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Eli Manning looked completely lost in his first playoff game, and the New York Giants are out because of it.

Manning had his worst performance of the season in a 23-0 debacle against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, throwing three interceptions and completing 10 of 18 passes for 113 yards.

It was his worst performance since a 4-for-18, 27-yard performance against Baltimore in his rookie season. Two months ago against Minnesota, he threw four interceptions but balanced that by throwing a touchdown pass and rallying the Giants in the fourth quarter of a 24-21 loss.

A rally was a distant dream against Carolina as the Giants never mounted anything resembling a sustained drive and failed to get past the Carolina 39.

"That was not the way I wanted to come out and play," Manning said. "It was disappointing, especially the way the offense played this season. We couldn't hit any big plays or establish anything to build on. They did a good job, but I still didn't protect the ball."

The Panthers' defense did a complete job on the Giants, holding them to 132 total yards. Running back Tiki Barber, who gained 1,860 yards in the regular season, had just 41 yards on 13 carries.

The Giants trailed 10-0 at halftime despite managing four first downs in the first 30 minutes. But Manning's interceptions, on consecutive possessions spanning the third and fourth quarters, effectively sunk the Giants' chances.

On the first, he rolled right deep in his own end and threw across the field for wide receiver Amani Toomer, who was tightly covered. Cornerback Ken Lucas intercepted the pass and returned the ball to the New York 12. Steve Smith scored on an end-around one play later to give Carolina a 17-0 lead.

"I should have taken a sack, used a checkdown . . . anything but throw it there," Manning said.

Marlon McCree intercepted Manning's pass intended for tight end Jeremy Shockey at the Carolina 18 on the Giants' next possession, leading to John Kasay's 45-yard field goal. McCree picked off his second pass of the day on the next possession, and Kasay put the final points on the board with an 18-yard field goal with 2:40 left in the game.

Plaxico Burress, signed in the offseason to provide a big-play threat for Manning, was held without a catch.

Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, who had a sack, said the game plan was to pressure Manning constantly.

"We got a couple hits on Eli early. I think that kind of rattled him," Peppers said.

But Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme sees a bright future ahead for Manning, who made big strides in his second season. Until Sunday.

"He's gonna be very good," said Delhomme, who finished 15-of-22 for 140 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. "I've always known that. He's just in his second year, and when things start going bad for you, sometimes it just continues to go that way."

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