Giants disappointed to let down Sandy-hit fans

By Larry Fine

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin and his players were doubly disappointed on Sunday, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers and letting down fans that needed a lift following superstorm Sandy.

"We wanted emotionally so badly to win the game for obvious reasons, for all our neighbors who are struggling and who need some type of inspiration," Coughlin said after the team blew a 10-point lead in a 24-20 loss by allowing two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

"Of course, we didn't provide it for them. This is not the kind of game we had planned to play."

A crowd of nearly 80,000 came to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey across the Hudson River from Manhattan, an area where nearly a million people are still without electricity nearly a week after the storm hit.

Before the game, first-responders to the areas worst hit by the storm were honored on the field.

"What we were trying to do was to give them a few hours of enjoyment in a very, very difficult time," added Coughlin.

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck shared in the frustration.

"A lot of people wanted us to win," said Tuck. "We had a lot riding on this game.