As the team returns from an extended break following Thanksgiving in Dallas, the Giants.com crew looks at the road ahead and the final push for a playoff spot:
John Schmeelk: Welcome to the home stretch. The Giants have six games remaining on their schedule and sit in the sixth playoff spot in the NFC. Two teams are nipping at their heels. The Seahawks are one game behind the Giants at 6-5 and own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Giants. Washington is the bigger threat, only a half-game behind the Giants at 7-5, with two games against Giants in the next three weeks.
The Giants control their own playoff destiny for when the postseason begins on Jan. 14. They should be getting healthier with important players such Evan Neal, Daniel Bellinger, Azeez Ojulari, Fabian Moureau, Jon Feliciano, and Josh Ezeudu inching closer to their returns to the field. But the quality of play they bring to the field on Sunday is even more important.
Can the Giants reclaim their mastery over the formula that helped them win games early in the season? Will they win the turnover battle in the final six games? Can Saquon Barkley recapture the big-play ability that helped him spearhead the Giants' offense the first half of the season. Can the defense get back to dominating on third downs and in the red zone? These things need to happen to earn a playoff spot. It will be a lot of fun seeing if they can do it.
Dan Salomone: This is Brian Daboll's first year as a head coach, but he has been around the league for two decades. So, he knows all about the momentum swings that happen during the course of a long NFL season, which got even longer last year with the advent of a 17th game. He even warned about it while the team racked up six wins in the first seven weeks. This is when good teams can buckle down and not let the pendulum knock them over.
"The whole season obviously is in front of you right now," coach Brian Daboll said upon returning from Dallas. "We have a long way to go. Obviously, the rest of December here and the early part of January. So, we have to focus on getting ready to play Washington, but you're sitting at 7-4. You put yourself in a position to play meaningful games in December, which is important. Last year (in Buffalo), I think we were 7-6 after 13 games. Look, anything can happen in this league. I've said it before, it's a humbling league. You can be on the top of the mountain one week and fall off the next week. The biggest thing for us is to remain consistent in the things that we try to do each week to give ourselves the best chance to win. Do they always work? No, but I think a consistent approach is the best approach."
Once again, the New York Giants are bringing back their classic blue uniforms from the '80s and '90s this Sunday as part of two Legacy Games presented by Quest.
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Nick Williams (93)
Dexter Lawrence (97), D.J. Davidson (98)
Tanner Hudson (88)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Tae Crowder (48)
Jihad Ward (55)
Jaylon Smith (54), Tae Crowder (48), Dane Belton (24)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tae Crowder (48)
Tae Crowder (48)
Daniel Jones (8), Ben Bredeson (68)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76), Daniel Jones (8)
Jamie Gillan (6), Graham Gano (9)
Ben Bredeson (68), Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Micah McFadden (41), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Julian Love (20)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Tae Crowder (48), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Micah McFadden (41)
Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2), Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78), LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Lance Medow: As the Giants gear up for their final six games of the season, four against the NFC East, there are two areas to keep close tabs on, which will likely dictate the outcome of those contests. In the past two games, they've struggled to get the run game going as Saquon Barkley has been held in check for a combined 61 yards on 26 carries (2.3 per carry). The task at hand won't get any easier as both the Commanders and Eagles showcase deep defensive fronts and Philadelphia just added Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh to bolster its ability to stop the run. One element in play is the lack of explosive plays on the ground. New York posted nine runs of 10+ yards in Week 7 at the Jaguars. Over the past four games combined, they have just 11 of that kind.
As a result of the limited run production, the Giants have only converted eight of their 24 third-down attempts (33%) and Daniel Jones has averaged nearly 40 pass attempts per contest. Part of that is a product of falling behind by multiple scores but that's still not an ideal combo, especially when you go up against strong pass rushes.
On the defensive side of the ball, a recent telling stat is in the red zone. Entering Week 11, the Giants posted the second-best mark in the league; but in the last two games, the Lions and Cowboys have combined for eight touchdowns in nine red zone possessions (89%). In terms of upcoming opponents, the Eagles are tied for fourth in red zone efficiency and the Vikings are 14th. It's no coincidence that the Giants have allowed an average of 29.5 points per game over the last two contests given the recent success of their opponents punching it in.
Matt Citak: With six games remaining, the Giants find themselves in a heated battle for a spot in the playoffs following their first two-game losing streak of the season. They currently sit in the second Wild Card position, a half-game over the Washington Commanders in the final spot and one game over the Seattle Seahawks, who own the tiebreaker over Big Blue. Unfortunately for the Giants, the schedule makers did them no favors with their slate of opponents in the final weeks of the season. Over the next six weeks, the Giants will take on the Commanders (7-5) twice, the Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) twice, the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) and the Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1). Other than the matchup with the Colts, the other five games are against current postseason teams.
There are numerous factors that will play a crucial role in deciding whether or not the Giants will succeed in making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. But based on their upcoming schedule, perhaps the most important thing for the team's playoff push will be the run defense. The Commanders rank eighth in the league in rushing attempts and have topped 150 yards on the ground each week during their three-game winning streak. The Eagles have one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL and are coming off an outstanding 363-yard rushing effort against the Packers on Sunday night. Although the Vikings haven't found the need to rely on the run game much this season, the offense contains the strong rushing duo of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. Finally, the Colts make it no secret that they want to establish the run, led by one of the NFL's best - Jonathan Taylor - who appears to be back to his normal self the past few weeks.
During the two-game losing streak, the Giants allowed both opponents to rush for 160+ yards. On the season, the defense ranks 26th in rushing yards per game (138.9) and 30th in yards per carry (5.2). In order to make the playoffs, the Giants will likely need to win two or three of their remaining games. The run defense will need to step up big to give them a chance.
Check out the evolution of the New York Giants' uniforms through the years.
1927 New York Giants team photo (Pro Football Hall of Fame via AP Images)
New York Giants' center Mel Hein is seen Oct. 11, 1945, in New York. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
RB Ward Cuff is shown in this 1945 photo. (AP Photo)
Kyle Rote, halfback for the New York Giants Oct. 24, 1951 at the Polo Grounds in New York. (AP Photo)
Arnie Weinmeister, New York Giant tackle, during workout at the Polo Grounds in New York City in 1952. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)
This Dec. 11, 1956 file photo shows Andy Robustelli (81), an end for the New York Giants. (AP Photo/File)
Frank Gifford heads upfield during an NFL game on Nov. 3, 1957 (AP Photo/NFL Photos/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford, shown at a workout on Sept. 9, 1958 in New York. (AP Photo/Rooney)
Photo shows Dick Nolan, half back for the New York Giants on Sept. 17, 1960. (AP Photo/John Rooney)
Y.A. Tittle after leading Giants to stunning 38-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 12, 1961. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
In this Sept. 3, 1963, file photo, New York Giants running back Alex Webster poses at the team's NFL training camp in Fairfield, Conn. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
New York Giants QB Fran Tarkenton, Nov. 5, 1967 (AP Photo.Robert Walsh, File)
Fran Tarkenton, quarterback, New York Giants, (10) flanked by left Joe Morrison, and Joe Koontz (47) right, in 1968. (AP Photo)
Linebacker Pat Hughes watches play in 1972. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Carl "Spider" Lockhart poses for a photo during training camp in Fairfield, Ct., 1974. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
RB Doug Kotar and Joe Dawkins clutch hands during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, Nov. 23, 1975. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
New York Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt (10) during a 24 to 10 Giants win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 26, 1976 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Hall of Fame RB Larry Csonka watches from the sideline against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum on September 26, 1976. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
QB Phil Simms throws a pass during the NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 28, 1982. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson (53) looks on during the NFL football game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 22, 1985 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 27-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants' quarterback Phil Simms is seen in action, 1984. (AP Photo)
Lawrence Taylor is congregated by Mark Collins and Carl Banks after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) catches a pregame pass during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 12, 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 35-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Mark Collins watches pre-game warm-ups before the 1986 NFC Championship NFL game against the Washington Redskins, Jan. 11, 1987. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Phil Simms vs. San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park Monday, November 27, 1989. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) on Monday, December 3, 1990. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Jeff Hostetler celebrates after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium, Jan. 13, 1991. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Jessie Armstead (98) during a game from his 1993 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Rodney Hampton during a game from his 1995 season with the New York Giants. (David Durochik via AP)
Phillippi Sparkes holds his second interception of the night with teammates Tito Wooten (29) and Corey Widmer (90) during overtime against the Washington Redskins, Nov. 23, 1997. (AP/Doug Mills)
Keith Hamilton against the Oakland Raiders on September 13, 1998 in Oakland. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Amani Toomer celebrates after catching a 17 yard touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns, Nov. 5, 2000 (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cedrick Jones (94) and Thabiti Davis (82) celebrate their 17-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000. With the win the Giants are NFC East champions. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Kerry Collins sets to pass against the St. Louis Rams during their football game in St. Louis Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tiki Barber breaks through the Oakland Raiders' defense on his way to 95-yard rushing touchdown in the first half of NFL football on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Michael Strahan celebrates after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe during the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005 at Giants Stadium (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Lawrence Tynes celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime during the NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Giants QB Eli Manning (10) celebrates after his 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl XLII football game against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) looks on before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
The Giants introduce their alternative uniforms with white pants vs. the Raiders November 10th, 2013
David Diehl (66) blocks during a week 10 football game against the Oakland Raiders on November 10, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Sterling Shepard (87) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Saquon Barkley scores a 1st quarter touchdown during a week 16 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday December 23, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Saquon Barkley hurdles Philadelphia Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence react during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Azeez Ojulari (51) Jason Pinnock (27)
Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) Azeez Ojulari (51)
Darius Slayton
New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) during a game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
Jon Feliciano (76)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Graham Gano (9)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Darius Slayton (86)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones
Jihad Ward (55)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Jihad Ward (55)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
Isaiah Hodgins (18)
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