Just a little over a month ago, it felt like a lock that the NY Giants would be headed to the playoffs. This team was on easy street. However, things have gone downhill since then, as they’re 1-3-1 in their last five games. Nightmare doesn’t even begin to describe things.
Now, the Giants have four games left on the schedule to make magic happen. In order for the Giants to sneak into the postseason with an NFC Wild Card spot, they’ve got to go 2-2. There’s no room for error – the Giants have to win at least two games to play more meaningful football this winter.
Will they be able to get that job done? Here’s our breakdown of the final four contests, with Sunday night obviously being a must-win showdown.
4. Week 15 vs. the Washington Commanders
Must-win, must-win, must-win. Yes, we’ll say it for the fifth time already in this article, this is a must-win game for the Giants and they have to treat it that way. Both Washington and NY are 7-5-1 on the year and it’s looking like one of them will be able to grab a Wild Card spot and keep their season going beyond Week 18.
For the Giants, it really has been a month from hell, as they haven’t been able to post a W since the Nov. 13 meeting with the Houston Texans. With three losses and a tie (to Washington) after that Houston contest, this team doesn’t have much confidence on either side of the ball. The pressure is on for Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley to bring joy to the NY fanbase.
Washington is well rested for this one, as they had a BYE in Week 14. With this game being at FedEx Field too, the Commanders faithful will be ready to make that place as loud as possible. This could prove to be trouble for Big Blue. With the Giants not doing anything over the past month for us to have faith in them, they’re making it hard for us to rock with them.
Prediction: Commanders 24, Giants 21
3. Week 16 vs. the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Eve
Come Saturday Dec. 24, the Giants will hope to ruin the holidays for Minnesota fans, as the Vikings will host Brian Daboll’s men. This is going to be a tough game all-around for the Giants, as Minnesota has looked like one of the best teams in the NFC this year. If it weren’t for the Eagles, we’d surely be talking a lot more about the play of Minnesota.
On offense, this team is stacked. Kirk Cousins has been tremendous, and Justin Jefferson continues to look like one of the best wideouts out there. Jefferson is the total package. Not only that, but the addition of tight end T.J. Hockenson has been a blessing for the Vikings. The aerial attack could provide Wink Martindale with a ton of problems.
Before the meeting with the Eagles, we said the Giants had to play near-perfect football to record an upset. That didn’t happen, with Philly posting a 48-22 victory. We don’t think the Giants will step their game up vs. the Vikes. Minnesota will cruise to a win.
Prediction: Vikings 31, Giants 17
2. Week 17 vs. the Indianapolis Colts
If the Giants want to make the playoffs, they have to win this game. There’s no reason for them not to. The Colts have been a disaster for most of the year, and they now have Jeff Saturday as head coach. No disrespect to Saturday, but he has no business leading the Colts on Sundays – pun most certainly intended.
On the season, Indy is 4-8-1 and they’ve mishandled the quarterback spot quite a bit. Right now, Matt Ryan continues to run the show, but he has no business still being the No. 1 option for a team. Yes, he’s a veteran, but he doesn’t throw the ball with the same kind of zip as he used to.
What really scares us about the Colts is obviously Jonathan Taylor, a south New Jersey product who can break free for a big gain whenever the ball is in his hands. This will be the last home game of the year for the Giants and they’ve got to make it count. Luckily for you long-suffering NY fans, we think they will.
Prediction: Giants 21, Colts 14
1. Week 18 at the Philadelphia Eagles
This could very much make or break the Giants’ chances of reaching the playoffs. On paper, the Eagles are the better team and after pounding the G-Men 48-22 in East Rutherford, more of the same would obviously be expected at Lincoln Financial Field.
HOWEVER, there’s one big thing to keep in mind here: Philly may not have anything to play for. If the Eagles keep on rolling and lock in the No. 1 seed in the NFC, would they really want Jalen Hurts, Miles Sanders, A.J. Brown and other superstars out on the field for the regular-season finale and risk injury?
Probably not. Meanwhile for NY, this could be the game needed for them to move on. Daboll and Co. will give it their all to bring home the victory. On one hand, the Eagles would love to keep the Giants out of the playoffs.
However, they’re not going to put Hurts and others in jeopardy to make that happen. The Eagles are eyeing a Super Bowl – their focus isn’t on playing spoiler come Week 18. If all those dominoes fall into place, then maybe the Giants do win…
Prediction: Giants 27, Eagles 20
5 enraging takeaways from the NY Giants 48-22 loss to the Eagles
The NY Giants struggled mightily going up against the Philadelphia Eagles and they're now 7-5-1 on the year following Sunday's loss.