The only thing separating the New York Giants from a 6-3 record is poor discipline, which is a reflection of the coaching. If not for Dexter Lawrence ‘jumping’ off-side on a Washington field-goal attempt to end the game or Oshane Ximines drawing an off-side penalty last week on a Darnay Holmes interception, the Giants’ situation might be different.
However, bad teams find ways to lose games, and that’s exactly what the Giants have managed to do, despite holding opponents to 20 points or less in their last three contests. Big Blue is simply dead in the water until they find ways to score in the red zone more frequently and move the chains despite injuries.
Poor play-calling and offensive discipline from coordinator Jason Garrett has led to a bottoming offense once again, but injuries to LT Andrew Thomas and a bevy of receivers surely hasn’t helped. Unfortunately, the offense is nowhere near full capacity, as Garrett has been forced to rip out pages of his playbook due to lack of personnel. Luckily, his run-first strategy against the Raiders worked like a charm, but it failed miserably against the Kansas City Chiefs.
So the question is, do the 3-6 Giants have any chance at making the post-season despite their poor start?
The Giants currently have an 8% chance of making the playoffs, but it will take a legitimate miracle to increase that number. They have a BYE week coming up, allowing them to get healthy, but have a gauntlet of opposition upon their return, taking on the Buccanneers, Eagles, Dolphins, Chargers, Cowboys…
The Bucs are a tough task, but the team expects to have Thomas and Saquon Barkley back, which will give them more offensive firepower. The Eagles are always a tough task, but Jalen Hurts has struggled as a passer this season, and the Dolphins are a winnable game.
The path to the playoffs is simple for the Giants, win the rest of their divisional games. They have one apiece against Dallas, Washington, and two against Philly. If they can beat the Chicago Bears, Dolphins and win out the rest of the way against divisional opponents, they have a chance, but still a small one. That would put them at 9-8 on the year, AFTER losses to the Bucs and Chargers.
Unfortunately, Washington has the 11th hardest schedule left, Dallas the 20th, and Philly the 30th. The Giants, by opponent win percentage, sit at 27th. By those numbers, Philly has the better chance at a post-season berth. However, football is all about momentum, and if the defense can continue playing at this level and the offense can take strides forward (which is unlikely), the narrative could shift rather quickly.