Opening remarks: "All right injuries.  Kurt Coleman – he has a strained bicep; we're going to MRI it on Tuesday when they when the people get back into do the MRI. Thanks for the fans for showing up here and for all the support.  They did a heck of a job.  I appreciate my team's effort.  That's a tough, tough situation – a couple of lessons you may learn.  Number one, don't put it in somebody else's hands to get yourself into the playoffs.  Number two is they focused in on the Dallas Cowboys and that was the most important today, so I appreciate the effort and, really other than that,  just happy holidays to everybody  - for you guys that are traveling here, be safe."

On the decision to play Michael Vick after hearing the outcome in New York: "Well listen, the guys want to play.  That's what they – they all wanted to get out there compete.  It's the Dallas Cowboys."

But 2012 will be here eventually.  Are you concerned about playing your quarterback? "Well, it will be here in a week but we're not worried about that."

How did your team tune out what was going on in New York and how did you find out about it? "Well, we knew about it before we went on the field.  You know. You hear the fans, number one, cheering, so you have a pretty good idea of what was going on." 

Talk about the lesson in leaving the season in other teams' hands: "Well, you can't do that.  I mean, you've got to take care of business early.  Were coming together as a team now.  Right now, I'm not proud of the guys for doing it.  Right now we're healthy obviously and the guys are playing good, aggressive football.  As a head coach, I've got to make sure that I get that part down sooner than later, and the things I told you as we were going through this needed to happen sooner than the last three games there from my standpoint." 

Even though you are mathematically eliminated, does a part of you feel like this is a playoff team? "I think they're playing  - we're playing good football right now.  I'm not sure we're a team that people necessarily wanted to see get into the playoffs.  We're playing that type of football, so – but, we're not in the playoffs.  We want to finish the season off strong.  That's what we're going to do."

There were a lot of expectations going into this season.  Now that you're not going to the playoffs, what are your reflections of how this year went? "Well, I'm going to enjoy this one for a little bit and the guys battled their tails off. While some of us were watching - me included – they were out there battling like crazy.   This game means a lot to them.  As will next week's competition against the Washington Redskins, and so that's how we're approaching.  That's the way I'm approaching.  I'm not looking forward or backward of this game."

Do you feel like your guys have something to carry them through this week knowing that there's no playoffs? "Well, listen.  I think all the guys have confidence in each other and they're playing good football.  I think, as coaches and players, guys are very, very united right now so there's a lot of energy on this football team.  The reality is we didn't make the playoffs , but the other part of that reality is that we play the Washington Redskins next week and so we're  going to put our hearts out there."

Are you going to be playing your starters in next week's game? "Only unless you don't want me to."

Do you sit down at the end of the year and look back on the year and decide if you want to keep going on? "Well, listen.  I'm going to keep it simple for you.  We have one left.  The season's not over, so we're going to keep playing.  That's what we're going to do."

On next week's Dallas – NY Giants game, considering you played both teams: "It should be a good game."

Talk about the defense.  Over the last three games, you've really put things together.  Talk about the growth of that group: "They're playing well as a unit.  You know, Juan's done a good job there with them, you know, bringing them together. They're playing they're  hearts out.  You saw that today. They wanted the goose egg. We didn't get it but they were really shooting for that.  They didn't want them to get in that end zone."

A lot of the fans may not be able to find solace in the fact that you're finishing strong.  Do you have any messages for them? "No, we love our fans and we understand how competitive  they are, and we're right with them, so we're going to try to give them a good show next Sunday."

Does the fact that LeSean McCoy still has a shot at the rushing title factor in for you? "Listen, all the guys want to play.  This is what they do for a living.   It would be like you guys not writing.  That would be a shame.  (laughter)"

How do know that when you play well at the end of the season that there's going to be a carryover? "Well, listen.  If I tell you I knew – I tell you that every year is different. It probably doesn't match up.  I think finishing on a positive, it surely can't hurt you going into the off season.  We've got a lot of young football players on this team, and, listen, one of the goals is to get better every week.  That's something we tried to do with the young guys and the new guys, and they're doing that right now.  They're playing good, solid football right now. You can carry that part and the positive energy into the off season."

What kind of message did you deliver to the team coming off your third straight win but also that you're not going to the playoffs? "Well, listen.  They know.  They're disappointed that we don't have a shot for the playoffs.  The team wants to continue to play, but at the same time I was pleased with the energy that they brought to the football field.  They came out and they wanted to dominate and play aggressive football.  They all wanted to go play.  From a head coaching standpoint, that's what you look for.  Nobody was hanging their heads or any of that.  I appreciate the effort and the intensity that you played with, and Merry Christmas and happy holidays."

What can you draw from the combined score of the two games against Dallas this season? "That's a loaded question.  I'm happy for Jason Garrett for having opportunity to possibly take his football team to the playoffs, and Tom Coughlin, so I wish we were there."