The New York Giants have all but assured themselves a place in the National Football League playoffs with a 34-28 win over the host Washington Redskins Saturday.

The Giants nearly blew a 20-point lead, but held off a Redskins rally to win for only the second time in eight games, and complete the regular season with an even record of 8-8.

Retiring New York star running back Tiki Barber gave the best performance of his 10-year NFL career playing in his final regular-season game. Barber rushed for a career-best and team-record 234 yards and three touchdowns, including a key 50-yard dash in the fourth quarter that gave the Giants a 13-point lead, and helped slow the Redskins' second-half rally.

New York will likely clinch a post-season birth Sunday, unless an doubtful series of results occur that would give struggling Green Bay the final spot in the National Football Conference playoffs.

Washington's loss ends the Redskins' disappointing season with a record of only five wins against 11 losses - the worst of head coach Joe Gibbs' 15-year career. The Hall of Fame coach has a lackluster record of 21-27 since he returned from retirement in 2004 to once again coach the Redskins. On his first stint with Washington, Gibbs coached the 'Skins to four Super Bowls, winning three NFL titles in the 1980s and early 1090s.

The regular NFL season ends Sunday with 15 games.