NFL power rankings, Week 15: Giants fall to No. 16

The NFL season has been a roller coaster for the New York Giants. After starting all the way down at 28 in the power rankings the Giants got off to a hot start. The 6-1 record saw the Giants peak at top five in the rankings and the good feelings were rolling. Then there was the drop in the ride. The Giants have since gone 1-4-1 and are coming off a game against the Philadelphia Eagles that was a humbling reminder that this is still the first year of a rebuild.

This week, we have aggregated nine power rankings across the Internet.

NFL.com (19)

The Giants welcomed the Eagles into their building on Sunday and found out they weren’t in the same weight class as the rampaging NFC East leaders. The obvious talent disparity between the two teams, made greater by a tidal wave of Big Blue injuries, gave the game a David vs. Goliath feel — Philly dominated New York in all three phases and scored the game’s first 21 points en route to a 48-22 win. Up next is a crucial Sunday night matchup against the Commanders with a wild-card spot possibly hanging in the balance. Not-so-fun fact: The Giants have not won a game in a month.

USA Today (17)

A spiraling team plays three of its next four on the road against opponents projected to reach postseason ... a good indication Big Blue won’t.

Sporting News (12)

The Giants’ run defense keeps getting exposed and now they’re struggling against the pass, too. They just don’t have enough offensive pop of their own with Daniel Jones to keep playing that way and win.

ESPN (16)

It’s somewhat surprising that the limited Giants’ offense is their most efficient unit. A lot of that has to be because the defense has hemorrhaged of late. The defense is allowing opponents to convert 63% of their red zone opportunities over the past six games as compared to 40% during New York’s 6-1 start. The same defense that once carried the team has allowed 27 or more points in four of the past six contests. Not having top cornerback Adoree’ Jackson has been crushing. — Jordan Raanan

The Athletic (20)

The Giants did not look like they belonged on the same field as the Eagles during Sunday’s 48-22 drubbing. But as banged up as they are, a win next Sunday night over the Commanders (which would be their first over a non-Texans team since Oct. 23) would put them in great position to still make the playoffs. A loss, and it’s hard to see a way back.

After surrendering 253 rushing yards to the Eagles, New York is down to 29th in defensive DVOA, 31st against the run. Edmunds has been a star for the Bills’ defense, but with Matt Milano under contract and a cap-crunch coming, they might have to let him leave. Where better to go, in that case, than New York, where Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will know him well?

CBS Sports (16)

They have a tie and three losses in their last four, and that early-season success is fading fast. The defense was awful against the Eagles.

YAHOO! Sports (17)

Saquon Barkley’s first nine games: 198 carries for 931 yards (4.7 yards per carry), 29 catches for 197 receiving yards (6.8 yards per catch). Barkley’s past four games: 50 carries for 152 yards (2.9 yards per rush) and 13 catches for 64 receiving yards (4.9 yards per catch). Barkley’s drop hasn’t been all his fault, but it’s not the best news for him as he approaches free agency. And Barkley’s production falling is the biggest reason the Giants’ offense is struggling.

NBC Sports Chicago (16)

The Giants were a fun first-half story, but Brian Daboll’s team is limping to the finish line. New York has won just one game since Week 8 and was embarrassed by the Eagles on Sunday. Do they have anything left for next week’s critical showdown with the Commanders?

Pro Football Talk (13)

It was fun while it lasted.