New York Jets’ Brandon Marshall believes the New York Giants will win their division. While the Giants are on a six-game winning streak, their path to the playoffs isn’t necessarily guaranteed.
While it’s true the New York Giants are on a six-game winning streak, their longest since 2008, their last three games haven’t exactly been awe-inspiring. Their last three opponents – the Bengals, Bears and Browns – had a combined record of 5-28-1 and none were beaten soundly.
At 8-3, the Giants seem primed to get their first playoff berth in four seasons, but one player/analyst sees bigger things for his crosstown rival. New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall revealed his pick for the NFC East on “Inside the NFL” Tuesday.
“Lights-out football?”
“They’re sitting at 8-3 right now,” Marshall said. “This team is playing lights-out football right now. They’re going to win that division.”
That’s music to the ears of Giants fans, but how realistic are those expectations? The Cowboys can clinch a playoff berth this weekend with a win against the Vikings and a loss or tie by the Redskins. And while the Giants’ six-straight W’s are impressive, the ‘Boys have won ten in a row.
The Giants sit two games back, but have an unbelievably tough schedule coming up – second-toughest to only the Dallas Cowboys, if that provides a glimmer of hope for Big Blue.
As the weather worsens, which team would you deem more reliable? The Cowboys have the NFL’s leading rusher in rookie Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke has 1,199 rushing yards behind the NFL’s best offensive line. The Giants, by contrast, have averaged fewer than 80 yards on the ground per game, ranking them 31st, and are battling injuries on the offensive line.
The Giants have done enough to put them in contention for the NFC East and a playoff berth, but there are plenty of nightmare scenarios to consider as the season winds down. If the Vikings can right the ship, they hold a head-to-head advantage on the G-Men, have three winnable games on their schedule and close their season against the lowly Cutler-less Bears.
Not to rain on the Giants’ win-streak parade, but it’s tough sledding down the stretch and their path to the playoffs isn’t guaranteed.