How do you feel about the Giants' playoff chances now?

by Ed Valentine on Dec 23, 2009 6:00 AM EST in New York Giants News

So, let's cut right to the chase. Let's get right to what has become a weekly staple here at Big Blue View -- weekly playoff confidence poll.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio makes the Giants path to the playoffs sound simple, and seems to assume they will make it for the fifth consecutive season.

Sure, if the season ended today, they'd be home for the holidays. But the path to the playoffs doesn't entail significant machinations and permutations.

Step 1: Beat the Panthers and the Vikings.

Step 2: Hope that the Cowboys will lose to the Redskins or the Eagles, or that the Packers will lose to the Seahawks or the Cardinals.

If that happens, the Giants will be in.

Ah, but if it was as easy as simply saying the words and having it magically happen. The Giants have put themselves in a position where they could do everything right the final two weeks and still wind up playing golf somewhere instead of football when the playoffs begin.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin certainly understands the situation.

"We try to do the best we can with our circumstance and then we'll have to see what happens," Coughlin said. "We just have to win. We have to win games. We have to win."

So, how do you feel today? Last week, a stunning 72% of you still believed. I'm anxious to see what that number is this week.

Poll

With two weeks left, and the Giants one game out of the NFC playoff picture, do you think they will make a fifth straight playoff appearance?

Yes, they will win out and Dallas or Green Bay will fold

582 votes

No, it just isn't going to happen this year

242 votes

824 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I said yes

Because if we beat the Vikes the Eagles could be playing for a bye and I think they will win in Dallas.

After all do the Eagles want to play the Cowboys or us a 3rd time this season!

by G Fan in England on Dec 23, 2009 6:48 AM EST reply actions

I think they would rather play us actually

Cowboys could contain their offense at least somewhat while we will be hopeless as long as KP21 is on IR and Bill Sheridan is the coach

by mclaren_is_the_best on Dec 23, 2009 8:23 AM EST up reply actions

You also have to take note of the fact

That nothing would give the Eagles more pleasure than to knock the Cowboys out of the playoffs. Even if they did have everything wrapped up, they would play hard for that reason alone.

by MJ20 on Dec 23, 2009 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

I welcome the Eagles again

i think the odds of them beating us a 3rd time in a season is highly unlikely.

by wilddre22 on Dec 23, 2009 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

What is more likely to happen...

us winning out or the Cowboys and/or Packers folding? At this point, I just think that odds are not in our favor. The Panthers and Vikings worry me, with the good rushing attacks. Mind you, a fullback had a 60 yard TD run against our defense earlier this year. What are Stewart (or Williams if he plays) and Peterson going to do to us? Eli better throw for 600+ yards in the next two games. Now, if the D gets the the QB as they did against the Skins, we have a great shot! Our odds will be a bit better. On a side note, being a Big Blue fan in the Philadelphia area, I am sick of seeing the Eagles in divisional and championship rounds of the playoffs. If we do make the playoffs, I would love to knock them off that darn pedastal of theirs! (No offense Bye, Dawk, most of your peers are relentless folk who cannot hold a rational, intelligent football conversation. There are a few, but rare.)

by CCE718 on Dec 23, 2009 8:16 AM EST reply actions

panthers

the giants match up well against the panthers, i think. carolina plays more like an NFC east team, a power running attack with a limited passing game.

the giants bottled up the cowboys vaunted running game only a couple weeks ago, and forced romo to beat the secondary. even though they racked up the passing yards, points were kept in check.

the panthers are using a second string QB, have 1 receiving threat who’s on the decline.
bottle up the run, and double steve smith and i think the giants win this one.

by cntrlalt on Dec 23, 2009 8:35 AM EST reply actions

as long...

as they don’t put Smith in the slot, we should be able to stop him…

by kingofatlanta on Dec 23, 2009 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

they lost both of their starting tackles for the year

which helps

by Ahmad Bradshaw on Dec 23, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions

especially when they are probowl caliber guys

Gross is the best run blocking tackle in the game.

Jeff Otah is a solid pass blocker with great feet.

There backups not so much. Hopefully Tuck, Kiwi and Umi will get some serious push.

by bigtrueblue on Dec 23, 2009 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

I think you got em mixed up...

Otah is 360lbs….he’s the run blocker.

Gross is 295lbs…the pass blocker.

Either way, not having them there is similar to the Redskins situation at OL.

GIants DL’s better EAT. When they do, Giants are unbeatable.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 23, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Aside from Dallas

The NFC East is turning into a passing Division… the Giants and Eagles are not playing power football

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 23, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions

Vikings

I’m thinking they will sit Farve, Petterson and Harvin the last game of the season. That will (should) give us the win of this game and make the playoffs. We can still beat them with them playing if the defense shows up again. It amazes me how different Big Blue looks week to week. I think we only show up when our backs against the wall which we will be for the next 2 weeks…

by kingofatlanta on Dec 23, 2009 9:05 AM EST reply actions

Not going to sit those guys

because they will need that win to get a bye in the first round of the playoffs over the Eagles.

by ggggmen08 on Dec 23, 2009 9:06 AM EST up reply actions

The Vikings will...

PLAY to WIN the GAME

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 23, 2009 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

Whats interesting about Harvin

On occasion, he gets migraines that sometimes makes him a game time decision. This actually led him to go to a specialist earlier this week to get his neck checked out, which something in there may be causing them.

Also, another injury that hasn’t been mentioned here. E.J. Henderson their MLB is out for the year with a broken femur.

by Hootman on Dec 23, 2009 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

Favre wont sit

he has his consecutive game streak to keep alive.

by wilddre22 on Dec 23, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

his consecutive "blow it at key moments" streak is also alive

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 23, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

hahahahahahahahahaha

by wilddre22 on Dec 23, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Let's say we actually qualify for the playoffs...

…and let’s say we make a run deep in said playoffs (i.e., Conference Championship game or, gasp, Super Bowl)…will people still call for a new DC next year?

Or would such a run perhaps guarantee Sheridan job security for next season?

Has any team in recent memory fired a coordinator after a successful playoff run (and I don’t mean the coordinator leaving of his own volition for another job)

Interesting little hypothetical here…

by Step up and make big plays on Dec 23, 2009 9:12 AM EST reply actions

Arizona did....

Arizona let go of there DC after barely losing in the Super Bowl last year. They realized they could be a better team if there defense started playing better.

If the Giants make the Super Bowl by winning game 45-38, you better believe that I will want a new DC next year. If we make the playoffs by playing well on both offense and defense, then I will be fine bringing both coordinators back.

You always have to look for improvements though. Just because you make it to the Super Bowl doesn’t mean that the team is flawless.

by ggggmen08 on Dec 23, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

Dump Sheridan

unless the hypothetical playoff run is marked by inexplicable and unprecedented defensive magnificence
or demote him back to LB coach he’s certainly not getting a DC job anywhere else

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 23, 2009 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

The last three games, starting with our win over Washington...

Will probably determine Sheridans fate..He called a good game against the Skins..needs to do that two more times and hopefully beyond if we make it in…That still may not save him..

by Bobbiblue on Dec 23, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions

Still not feeling it

the Cowboys did their business versus the Saints… I think they pull through. Green bay is a toss up though, I think thatis where we get in (if we have any real shot).

by brisulph on Dec 23, 2009 9:12 AM EST reply actions

We're all of a sudden giving a lot of credit

to the worse december team in football in here.

by wilddre22 on Dec 23, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

Should I give credit

to a giants team that has been inconsistent and overall brutal on D for points allowed? Works both ways, sicne the G-Men need to outwin one of those two teams.

by brisulph on Dec 23, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

It's doable

Though the degree of difficulty has been raised a notch or two.

by Hootman on Dec 23, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions

I think they get in if they win out..

Dallas is going to face a very embarrassed Skins team and then the Eagles..That is alot tougher then what we face the next two weeks..The packers will beat the Seahawks, but I doubt they’ll beat the Cards…So, we hate to hear the term “need help”..but it could be worse…Favre, Peterson and their O-line are struggling and The only Panther threat is “their” Smith..So we’ll see.

by Bobbiblue on Dec 23, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions

Of all these teams

we’re specualting about, Arizona will probably have the least to play for… and Warner may need that rest as much or more than FARV

I know it’s favre but c’mon

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 23, 2009 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

Good point and most likely true..

We can only hope the Whisenhut has the same thinking that TC has and plays his starters.

by Bobbiblue on Dec 23, 2009 9:52 AM EST reply actions

Whisenhunt said in an article on Monday that they intend to play to win the last two games.

by Bobbiblue on Dec 23, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

you PLAY to WIN the GAME

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 23, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

Basically

we need to go 2-0 while our “opponent” needs to go 4-0. Advantage: Giants.

That being said, I just dont know if the Giants are gonna go out and beat Carolina AND Minnesota. I guess technically they can lose one and still get in if GB or DAL loses out, but I dont see that happening either.

I still have hope, but I had to vote no. Possible, but not probable.

by daveh873 on Dec 23, 2009 10:50 AM EST reply actions

The other hope...

is that the Eagles lose to Denver this weekend and the Vikes win this weekend. That would put the Eagles another game back and then, if I am correct about this, give the Vikes that other first round bye, therefore they are more likely to rest Peterson. Hopefully the Eagles can beat the Cowgirls and we can win out. I think that is our best scenario.

by CCE718 on Dec 23, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

If Julius Peppers plays like he played last week?

…we’re in a heap of trouble.
On the bright side, Eli’s playing out of his mind. Which means there’s still a chance.

I left my swagger in my other pants.

by HughG16 on Dec 23, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

The Redskins DE's

have been playing like Peppers did.

How did they do?

I’d be hard pressed to even know Orakpo and Carter played.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 23, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

It's not over till it's over

by John W on Dec 23, 2009 11:13 AM EST reply actions

Let's not talk playoff until..

… we see how they play Carolina. Seriously. If they can consistently put together two strong performances (the Eagles/Skins games were a game and a half of strong performance, the D being the minus, of course), if they do that, two good games, then I’d start entertaining what ifs. Until then, I hope they beat Carolina. I hope this Major Matt Moore fella is one of those backups who comes in, lights it up, then realizes, “shit! I’m in the NFL” and reverts back to to pre Cinderella tale reality. I hope the RB doesn’t kill us, as he’s wont to do. I hope their Steve Smith finds himself jealous of our Steve Smith. And I hope the Skins pull one more game out of their bleeding ids and hand the nose pickers head back to him John The Babtist style on a golden platter. And I hope the Pack finds it within themselves to do the right thing and lose at least one more game, though two would be nice, if asking too much. And I hope one and all on this blog are having, have, and will have had, a happy holiday season (F you Bill O’Reilly, you propagating agitator of the ridiculous and false) with you and your families, loved ones, and boff buddies. Be well.

by ZILLAG on Dec 23, 2009 11:24 AM EST reply actions

Zilla

just go ahead and predict a Panthers win! Please! It will help the Giants chances!

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Dec 23, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah..Zillag, do we have to still keep your razors hidden?..If this keeps up you'll look like ZZ-Top.

by Bobbiblue on Dec 23, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

Dallas will not win out.

The Redskins will beat them. Hear that.

They play them differently. They hate Dallas worse then the Giants hate Dallas..and play them extremely tough.

Giants got this.

Eli is taking them on his back. The staff..is putting it on Eli’s back.

Will Beatty is a better pass blocker then McKenzie..so that’s why there was so much time against an excellent pass rush..well, that and the excellent game plan with all those screens to AB.

The Giants pass blocked well against Dallas, Philly and the Redskins…you think they won’t do the same with Carolina?

They’ll be fine.

As long as the D shows up…the Giants are unbeatable. Yes..UN FKING BEATABLE.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 23, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions

D hasn't showed up much all year though

by mclaren_is_the_best on Dec 23, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

they haven't...

its not out of the question for them to do so going forward. These ARE the same guys pretty much.

Hell…the Cardinals found a defense at the end last year…the Giants have better players, at least on the DL then them…

They get a pass rush…un beatable.

…that is, NO pass rush, they are in trouble.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 23, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

I believe that the Giants will sneak into the playoffs.

Despite a good win for the Panthers at the weekend, I believe that the Giants have what it takes to beat both Carolina and the Favre-burdened Vikes. I don’t think it will be easy, the G-Men will have to stay on the crest of the Redskins wave, but it is possible.

Dallas are likely to win against the chaotic Redskins. I think the comments from Haynesworth show that the ‘skins are not interested in Zorn keeping his job, they don’t want to play for him. So the issue is whether the Division winning Eagles field their starters against Dallas in the final week. If it was any other team I think they may rest some, but I just cannot see it against Dallas. Eagles will want the win, and should get it.

Green Bay have the ’hawks, who they will beat, and then the Cardinals. GB will have to win that game to be sure, while the Cardinal can afford to rest players as they are already into the post-season. However, I favour Warner over Rodgers, and Fitz and Boldin still have something to prove this year. Also, the game is being played in Arizona. I can see GB losing that one.

Giants have some injuries, but that is just an opportunity for the less experienced guys to … step up and (you know the rest)

He was like a god walking amongst mere mortals. He had a voice that could make a wolverine purr and suits so fine they made Sinatra look like a hobo.

by Johannus on Dec 23, 2009 1:30 PM EST reply actions