In 60 long and agonizing minutes, the New York Giants went from surefire playoff contender to potentially spending the final weeks of their Super Bowl reign watching the NFL playoffs from the couch.
The Giants were shellacked by the Atlanta Falcons in a 34-0 shutout at the Georgia Dome. The former’s playoff aspirations now hang in the balance with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
After keeping a stranglehold on the NFC East division lead for much of the year, the Washington Redskins — having won five straight games — now reign supreme in a three-way tie with the Giants and Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, New York’s lackluster in-division record (2-3) puts them behind their rivals with a slim shot to recapture the lead by season’s end.
The G-Men have no choice but to win their final two games (at the Baltimore Ravens and home against the Philadelphia Eagles) but even then, nothing is guaranteed. While there would be no way the Giants can finish behind both the Redskins and Cowboys (the two play one another in Week 17), any hope of a divisional crown hinges on both teams losing their Week 16 match-ups. With the Redskins playing the Eagles (4-10) and the Cowboys clashing with the New Orleans Saints (6-8), the odds do not appear to be in New York’s favor.
Is it impossible that both the Redskins and Cowboys could lose this Sunday? Certainly not. But Big Blue would be better served hoping one of them does lose their Week 16 match-up before beating the other in their final meeting. As long as the Giants win their remaining two games, the NFC East will be theirs for the taking.
Losing the division is the least of New York’s problems, however, as a loss in the remaining two games could cost them a playoff berth altogether. The Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings are all vying for wild card spots, placing the Giants in a very difficult position.
The solution to this problem is simple — win out. The Giants would own tie-breakers over the Bears and Vikings which would ensure their place in the playoffs. But for a team that has been as inconsistent as they have, winning out will not be quite as easy as the team would like.
The Ravens have struggled recently, but they are not pushovers. They still lead the AFC North and boast an immovable defense and lethal rushing attack — two of the Giants’ Achilles heels. Meanwhile, the Eagles already hold one win over New York this season. While they are having one of the worst campaigns in recent history, head coach Andy Reid has a history of successful coaching against Giants’ head coach Tom Coughlin.
In order for the Giants to return to the playoffs, they’ll need their A-game to get them there. Losing is really not an option though there are scenarios that will allow them to sneak in even if they split their final two games. The uncertainty lies in whether the Giants are capable of playing up to the level required to clinch a playoff berth.
The loss to Atlanta on Sunday was a pride-crusher, but the Giants’ season is not over yet. They are a talented group that has overcome adversity many times before. However, they can’t simply cling to the past and assume it’s going to work out for them again.
The Giants have lost four of their last six games after starting the season 6-2. The second-half collapse that has become so synonymous with Coughlin’s tenure in New York appears imminent.
This team must now find a way to win two consecutive games, although they have not won back-to-back contests since Weeks 7 and 8 when, ironically, they took down the Redskins and Cowboys. No team has won the Super Bowl in successive seasons since the New England Patriots repeated in 2005. The Giants are on course to fall short of accomplishing that feat as well.
Louis Musto is a contributor to the Sports Journey Broadcast Network covering the NFL and NBA. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.