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The 8-4 New York Giants will host the 11-1 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium in a game with huge playoff implications. For any Giants fan looking to pass time before then, there are plenty of Sunday afternoon games Big Blue will have a vested interest in.
The Giants lead the NFC wild-card race by one game over the 7-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Washington Redskins (6-5-1), Minnesota Vikings (6-6), Green Bay Packers (6-6) and Arizona Cardinals (5-6-1) are also within striking distance should the Giants collapse down the stretch.
"The Cards are alive."
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 6, 2016
"I'm most interested in the Bucs."
Breaking down the NFC playoff picture: https://t.co/F9clhvUVsb pic.twitter.com/qsXShXis0v
Here are the early-Sunday games to watch and best-case scenarios for the Giants.
Buccaneers (7-5) vs. New Orleans Saints (5-7)
When: Sun., Dec. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.
TV: FOX
If the Bucs defeat the Saints, and the Giants fall to the Cowboys, Tampa Bay’s better conference record would earn them the top wild-card spot.
Redskins (6-5-1) @ Eagles (5-7)
When: Sun., Dec. 11, 1 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA.
TV: FOX
The Eagles are still alive, but barely. They’d be doing the Giants a favor if they beat the Redskins. If Washington wins and the Giants lose Sunday night, their lead over the Skins tightens to a half-game. The Eagles are 4-1 at home, Washington is 2-3-1 on the road.
Vikings (6-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
When: Sun., Dec. 11, 1 p.m.
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL.
TV: FOX
If the Vikings win and the Giants lose, Minnesota trails Big Blue by one game. They’d own the tiebreaker if they can even their record with New York down the stretch. The Vikings are 1-6 in their last seven games and 2-4 on the road.
Packers (6-6) vs. Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1)
When: Sun., Dec. 11, 4:25 p.m.
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.
TV: FOX
The Packers also hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Giants, having defeated them earlier this year. A win over the Seahawks and a Giants loss Sunday night pulls Green Bay within one game of New York with three remaining.
Cardinals (5-6-1) @ Miami Dolphins (7-5)
When: Sun., Dec. 11, 1 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL.
TV: FOX
The Cardinals appear the least likely to catch the Giants, but that doesn’t mean it’d be impossible. If Arizona wins out, they’d finish 9-6-1. The Giants would need at least two more victories to top that and with games against the Cowboys, Lions, Eagles and Redskins, there’s no easy path to 10 wins.
- See 506sports.com for games being televised where you live.