What are we to make of a team that talked tougher at 0-6 than it does at 3-6, a team that insisted it still believed when it was winless and, after a three-game winning streak, has almost scoffed at its success?
“It’s smart,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said Monday, clearly approving of how unimpressed the Giants say they are about hoisting themselves back into the NFC East race.
It is in keeping with this bizarro season for the Giants, a season where up is down, ugly is beautiful and 3-6 gets you 1 ¹/₂ games out of first place in a division seemingly purchased at a flea market. The Giants were stumble-bums in the first six weeks, haven’t come close to putting together even a semblance of a complete game and their winning streak has come on the shoulders of the Vikings, Eagles and Raiders. But they are the only team in the NFC East this season to manage to win three straight games.
At 0-4, Antrel Rolle attracted headlines and then some sarcasm for stating he believed the Giants could go 12-0 the rest of the way. At 0-6 he still had not raised any white flag. At 3-6, Rolle — no doubt plugging into what he feels his team needs and when it needs it — was almost ornery in his refusal to acknowledge even the slightest sense of accomplishment.
“I do what I have to do and I say what I have to say,’’ Rolle said. “That’s the best way I can tell you. We’re 3-6, we start looking ahead, we’re going to find ourselves behind.’’
This, of course, is exactly the way Coughlin wants it.
“Where are you? You’re right where you are,’’ he said. “Obviously you keep your dreams alive but you focus on the task at hand. I hope that’s what we’re doing. Plus there’s a gag rule, not to talk.’’
That was a joke, but there’s no doubt the Giants have circled the wagons in terms of not getting too enamored with their modest gains. After shedding their losing ways, the breaks have started to fall their way. Game 2 of a three-game homestand comes against the Packers and without Aaron Rodgers, who might be the best player in the league, and without his backup Seneca Wallace, leaving Scott Tolzien to make his first NFL start after getting his first NFL experience subbing for the injured Wallace in Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Eagles in Green Bay.
If the Giants can beat the depleted Packers, up next is a battle with the Cowboys (5-5) in what could be a game for at least a share of first place, depending on what the Eagles (5-5) do this Sunday against the Redskins.
The Cowboys, in their 49-17 loss in New Orleans, lost their most indispensible defensive player, middle linebacker Sean Lee, to a strained hamstring that is expected to keep him out three-to-four weeks.
Yet any burgeoning optimism is tempered by a stark reality: The Giants have not come out of one game and been able to feel proud about what they did on offense, defense and special teams. Their 24-20 victory over the Raiders was a defensive gem — 17 of Oakland’s points came off turnovers — and suspect in other areas. The running game, fueled by Andre Brown, was effective, but Eli Manning continues to operate a high-wire passing attack that lacks big plays and is always a threat for a turnover. The breakdowns on special teams were massive, other than a blocked punt by Demontre Moore that fellow rookie Cooper Taylor returned for a touchdown.
“I think we’re capable of playing better, no question, and I think the contributions of all three have got to catch up,’’ Coughlin said. “Our defense has been playing solid, the other two areas have been a little bit up and down, and we need to be a little more consistent that way.’’
Rolle sees the defense as headed in the right direction.
“When it all comes together,” Rolle said, “that’s when things become miraculous.’’
But more is needed from the other areas for the Giants to finally get in sync.
“I wouldn’t say necessarily we’re back in it, but we’re taking steps,’’ defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said. “We’ve got some positives here that we’re building, we’ve had some wins, have a little momentum going for ourselves right now. Still a long way to go. We can’t get too anxious now because we’re closer.”