Looking at the Giants over the past few seasons (or since Tom Coughlin took over, further if you count the ups and downs during the Jim Fassel era), it's easy to see how maddeningly inconsistent this football team can be. Just look at this season, with blowout victories over the 49ers, Packers, and Saints mixed in with blowout losses to Cincinatti and Atlanta.

But are the Giants really inconsistent? Looking at the bigger picture over the past few seasons, the numbers actually put this year's Giants right on track to be, well, the same New York Football Giants

Points (per game)

2010 (24.6)
2011 (24.6)
2012 (26.2)

Total offense (per game)

2010 (380.3)
2011 (385.1)
2012 (364.6)

3rd Down Percentage

2010 (35.9)
2011 (37.4)
2012 (40.8)

Offensively thus far, the basic stats seem to be fairly consistent. Defensively, not many surprises either.

Points Allowed (per game)

2010 (21.7)
2011 (25.0)
2012 (21.7)

Yards Allowed (per game)

2010 (310.8)
2011 (376.4)
2012 (377.4)

A noticeable increase in yardage allowed per game from '10-'11, but that's all. What about the other key, turnover differential?

Giveaways

2010 (42)
2011 (24)
2012 (21)

Takeaways

2010 (39)
2011 (31)
2012 (34)

Differential

2010 (-3)
2011 (+7)
2012 (+13)

So, we get this far into it, and what's the answer. Stats are stats and should be taken for what they are worth, but really, what's the answer? The Giants finished 10-6 in 2010, finished 9-7 in 2011, and are on pace to finish 10-6 at best in 2012.That looks pretty consistent to me.

By all accounts, this year's Giants are playing better football than they have in the past two years, more points per game, far better turnover differential, etc. Maybe it has something to do with penalties?

Penalty yards

2010 (777)
2011 (795)
2012 (521, or on pace for roughly 595)

Nope, it's not the penalty yards. The defense is giving up less points than a year ago, forcing more turnovers. Meanwhile, the offense is putting up more points and converting third downs at a higher rate.

What is it? Maybe it has something to do with this little thing we all forgot about. Having the league's toughest schedule (again) shouldn't be an excuse, but hey, I think Bill Parcells said you are what your record says you are. And by all accounts, we look much like that same Giants team of a year ago, slightly improved. Everybody talks about how this team doesn't live up to its talent, but they are what they are. It's what makes being a Giants fan great.

As a fan, it might sound like optimism, but given the way this team deflates when they get positive media coverage, I feel the Giants are more poised for a run than we were in 2010. And for now, that's good enough for me. Stay on the ship, everybody. There's nothing else to do, unless you want to root for draft picks. But then you should be a Jets fan.

Go Giants.