Giants can clinch playoff spot as early as this week

graham gano, new york giants
Dec 18, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates with Giants punter Jamie Gillan (6) after making a field goal against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have enjoyed a surprisingly successful season, currently sitting in playoff position at 8-5-1. Their joyous season could result in a playoff berth for the first time since 2016, and that could happen as soon as this week – albeit through some complicated scenarios.

The Giants are in control of what lies ahead

New York has a difficult matchup this week, as they are taking on the 11-3 Minnesota Vikings on the road in a Christmas Eve matchup. The Vikings have already clinched a playoff spot, having won the NFC North division for the first time since 2017.

For Big Blue to officially join the Vikings in the playoffs this weekend, a lot will have to happen, but they all involve at least a Giants victory nonetheless:

  • NYG win, WAS loss, AND DET loss OR
  • NYG win, WAS loss, AND SEA loss OR
  • NYG win, DET loss, AND SEA loss

To simplify this array of potential scenarios, the Giants must win on Saturday, and either the Washington Commanders – currently holding the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC – and one of the two teams in the hunt below Washington (Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks) have to lose, or the two teams currently in the hunt below have to both lose in their respective matchups. If the Giants lose to Minnesota on Saturday, they cannot clinch this week, regardless of what happens with the other aforementioned teams.

The Giants helped get themselves in great position to clinch a playoff berth by winning a thrilling rematch against the Washington Commanders 20-12 in Week 15.

It is a lot to unpack, but a playoff clinch is a real possibility for this Giants team this week. They would certainly, at the very least, like to clinch before they face the top seeded Philadelphia Eagles to close out the season in Week 18.

The Giants will surely be up for the task on Saturday, as the Vikings are coming off completing the largest comeback in NFL history, trailing by as much as 33 points in the second quarter before winning in overtime 39-36, a gallant effort that was incredibly unprecedented.

Follow this writer on Twitter @DylanBacker_ for more Giants coverage.