Written off after a 5-0 start melted into a four-game losing streak and a win-one, lose-one vibe since then, the Giants actually are in great shape for a shot at the postseason.
Sure, if the season ended today, they’d be home for the holidays. But the path to the playoffs doesn’t entail significant machinations and permutations.
Step 1: Beat the Panthers and the Vikings.
Step 2: Hope that the Cowboys will lose to the Redskins or the Eagles, or that the Packers will lose to the Seahawks or the Cardinals.
If that happens, the Giants will be in.
That said, the Redskins and the Seahawks can’t be expected to put up a stiff challenge this weekend to Dallas and Green Bay, respectively. With the NFC West crown clinched and no real hope for securing a bye, the Cardinals might tank it in Week 17.
So the key will be the Eagles. Since they’re chasing the Vikings for the No. 2 seed, they’ll be trying their damnedest to knock off the Cowboys, as the Giants are trying their damnedest to knock off the Vikings, who’ll be trying their damnedest to hold off the Eagles.
Bottom line? Don’t write off the Giants. If they can take care of their upcoming business, one false move by the Cowboys or the Packers will open the door for the 2007 Super Bowl champions to make another run at a title.