(
)
Let’s get one thing straight: Just because the Giants have been here before doesn’t mean they like it.
“Obviously, we’ve been in this situation before, so people are always going to say do we want to put ourselves in this position?’’ David Diehl said. “No, absolutely not.’’
The position is enviable and tenuous at the same time. A one-game lead in the NFC East with four to play heading into today’s game against the Saints is not bad, except for the fact that the arrow is pointing down (three losses in the last four games) while the competition (Redskins and Cowboys) seems to be peaking.
When Victor Cruz says, “We’re excited for the opportunity to play these last four going into the playoffs on a good swing with some good momentum,’’ there’s an assumption the playoffs are the logical destination. Well, if the Giants can’t subdue the out-of-contention-but-still-dangerous Saints, the postseason moves that much further away.
Coach Tom Coughlin has told the Giants they need to win out. Antrel Rolle pleaded for them to get nasty, to play with more of a “dog mentality’’ because, he says “all dogs bite.’’ There is no question, until this team puts together consistent performances one week after the next, it is going to be a struggle to get where they want to go.
“We need to play better on the football field, period,’’ Osi Umenyiora said. “Mentally, physically, everything, man. We’re just not playing as well as we’re accustomed to. We’re not playing as well as we should. I don’t think it’s us going out there trying to be nasty or hurt people or be mean. I just think we need to get our coverage right, we need to get our pass rush right, offensively we need to move the ball and score touchdowns. Everybody needs to do their job. That’s pretty much what it boils down to.”
A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Saints TE Jimmy Graham vs. Giants LB Michael Boley. Graham is not having a duplicate all-world season to what he did in 2011 (when he caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 TDs) but he still is a 6-foot-7 athlete who looks more like a rebounding power forward the way he skies for the ball. Boley can run with most tight ends, but he will need help with this one and may get it from Jacquian Williams, Keith Rivers and maybe even Antrel Rolle.
TIE BALLGAME
It sure seems as if the Giants have labored on offense, and there is no doubt too many of their drives have stalled, forcing Eli Manning’s attack to settle for too many Lawrence Tynes field goals (an NFL high 32). The Saints, despite their losing record, can score.
Manning & Co. controlled the ball vs. the Redskins — no turnovers, excellent rushing attack — but the name of the game is to score, and one touchdown isn’t going to cut it. Penalties and lousy field position were factors.
“Offensively, we have to score points,’’ Manning said. “We moved the ball well, but didn’t score enough points.’’
The Saints defense that has been torched much of the season, but has improved recently. It couldn’t get much worse, considering they are 32nd against the run (153.8 yards per game) and 30th against the pass (286.7 yards per game). No doubt, former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system takes time to master, but not this long.
EASY BREES-Y
There is no denying the Saints run a more conventional attack than Robert Griffin III and the Redskins, and we all know when Jason Pierre-Paul said it will be “easier’’ going against Drew Brees than RG3, he wasn’t denigrating anyone. Still, the very hint of thinking this is a comedown will get the Giants beat, badly, with Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Darren Sproles joining Graham as weapons for Brees.
“We don’t have to play the option, but that’s about it,’’ Osi Umenyiora said. “We still have a lot of work. They do a lot of different protections. The secondary has their work cut out for sure with all the stress that he puts out there. It’s probably a tougher game physically than playing against Washington.’’
WEATHER, OR NOT
It is not going to be particularly cold, even with darkness setting in soon after kickoff. But there’s a strong chance of some rain and a 100 percent chance of the crowd, the elements and the conditions being far different than the cozy Superdome, the building where the Saints thrive (and beat the Giants by a combined 97-51 the past two years).
“They’re used to playing in a dome, so now they’re outside, it’s going to be cold, hopefully and it will just be a different game,’’ defensive tackle Linval Joseph said.
“We’re certainly aware of the fact that the last two times we played were in our building,’’ Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said. “They’re looking forward to getting us to drink their water and play on their turf in front of their crowd.’’
REST AND THE WEARY
The Saints haven’t played in 10 days, and the Giants are dealing with a short week, having played and lost on the road to the Redskins on Monday night. The break no doubt provided time for Brees to clear his head. He was shockingly erratic in a five-interception meltdown in Atlanta.
“The last couple of weeks he has thrown a couple of interceptions,’’ said cornerback Corey Webster, who has four of the Giants’ 18 picks.
“Hopefully we can keep on building off of that and create some opportunities for him to throw some interceptions, and hopefully we can help our team get some turnovers and help us win.’’
paul.schwartz@nypost.com