Giants’ brutal Week 12 collapse delivered their harshest reality yet

No matter how hard they try, the New York Giants just can't win a football game. They couldn't buy a win if they wanted to. That's how miserable things are in East Rutherford.

The G-Men traveled to Detroit to take on the playoff-hopeful Lions in a Week 12 matchup with low expectations. And after finding another way to blow another double-digit lead late, expectations are lower than they ever have been. Sunday's 34-27 overtime loss was the Giants' sixth straight, and their 10th of the season.

Related: Mike Kafka’s Week 12 efforts made OT loss far more complicated for Giants

Their season was over long before Week 12's collapse, but the result handed Big Blue the worst realization imaginable: they're the first team to officially be eliminated from the playoffs. Way to go, guys.

Giants officially first team eliminated from playoff contention in OT loss to Lions

Listen, it's not like fans were thinking playoffs. Those hopes all but went out the window after starting the season 0-3. But to be the first is pretty embarrassing and a sad realization that this team — even with all its promising pieces — is still miles away from figuring things out.

Interim head coach Mike Kafka had the offense playing well in this one. Their efforts should have been enough to give them the win. However, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is still employed, which means their 517 total yards and 27 points couldn't possibly be enough to get them the win. Shocker.

Bowen's defense was just as bad as it's been the entire season. Nothing has changed on that front. The Lions' offense had a field day against Big Blue's defense, going for 494 total yards, with 237 coming on the ground. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 219 alone. It's a joke. And Bowen's employment is getting in the way of any sort of progress.

If there's any silver lining, it's that the loss keeps the Giants in the hunt for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Draft. They're currently sitting comfortably with the second overall pick, if the season were to end today.

Kafka has this offense playing hard and showing some real potential. The team’s far from fixed, but with a high draft pick on the way and a head coaching search looming, at least there’s something to look forward to now that the season is officially over.