They got here, against all odds.
The Giants got to late November, four days before Thanksgiving, clinging to relevance. They have hoisted themselves, like a chin-up, barely getting their necks above the bar, in clear sight of contention in the come-one-come-all NFC East, but exist, precariously, one slip away from plummeting back onto the mat.
From 0-6, the Giants the past five weeks have strung together four consecutive victories, and here they are at 4-6, closer but still behind the first-place Eagles (6-5). On Sunday, they face the second-place Cowboys (5-5) in a game at MetLife Stadium Jason Pierre-Paul has stamped at the Giants’ Super Bowl. Nearly everyone else has called it a playoff-type game to stay in the chase.
The Giants, rejuvenated, are teeming with confidence, summed up most succinctly by cornerback Terrell Thomas’ promise: “No doubt we’re gonna win this game. … You can tell them, put it on the bulletin board, it doesn’t matter, because we have to win this game.’’
That the Cowboys, thanks to forcing six turnovers, beat the Giants 36-31 in a season-opener that knocked Big Blue severely off course, feels like ancient history. The rhetoric doesn’t really matter, because there’s a smack-in-the-face reality awaiting the Giants:
If they win, they’re in the hunt. If they lose, they’re road kill.
“Instead of us digging ourselves out of a hole, if we lose this football game, it’s more like them putting dirt on us,’’ Justin Tuck said. “Mathematically, no it doesn’t mean we’re out of it, but we’re kind of looking at is as a must win.’’
Coach Tom Coughlin kept this team together when all signs pointed to the Giants falling apart and, though this game is the most pressure-filled of all, he said, “Tell me one that wasn’t? When you’re 0-6, aren’t you standing on the edge of the cliff every week?”
Coughlin, though, hasn’t downplayed anything, and co-owner John Mara reminded everyone of Coughlin’s urgings “to keep the dream alive.’’
That the Cowboys will be in the building makes the proceedings all the more intoxicating. It will be frigid and windy, a deep winter feel, which is fitting, as the Giants are hoping they are in it for the long haul.A look inside the game:
Best Battle
Cowboys DE DeMarcus Ware vs. Giants LT Will Beatty
Beatty did some good, some bad in the first meeting against Ware, who did not have a sack or a tackle in 49 defensive snaps (though he did have six quarterback pressures and an interception on the first play after Beatty gave Ware an inside release on a middle screen pass). Beatty went through an early-season swoon but has rebounded. He will need to be at his best, as Ware (five sacks) is getting healthier coming off a strained right thigh.
Long Distance Dedication
The longest play of the season for the Giants came two minutes before halftime in the first game, when Victor Cruz got behind the Cowboys secondary and Eli Manning found him on a 70-yard touchdown pass. It was one of three TD catches that night for Cruz, but he has managed to get in the end zone just once in the past nine games. He joked this week people might have to start looking for his Salsa dance on milk cartons.
Attacking the Cowboys through the air is smart — they’re the 31st-ranked pass defense in the league — but might not be wise, given the heavy wind in the forecast.
“To the best of your ability, you’d like to say, hey, this is what we think has the best chance of being successful,’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “But you’re throwing it into the teeth of the wind, and the wind is blowing sideways, you have to pick your spots. Probably going to be judicious in the amount of deep balls you’re going to throw.’’
Just a Passing Phase
The Giants have risen to No. 7 in the league in stopping the run, and their pass defense also has improved steadily, though last week they allowed five passes of 25 or more yards to Scott Tolzien.
That could be troubling, considering the much stiffer challenge presented by Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten. Reason to worry after what the Packers did to them with a novice quarterback?
“I would think that, too, if I was on the outside looking in,’’ safety Will Hill said. “You just know you have to correct what we have to correct and just go back out there and play hard. We actually knew what we did wrong. A couple of us were out of position. We just have to hone in and pay attention and make sure that we pay attention to little details.’’
Steely-Eyed
There are many descriptions often bandied about delving into Manning’s personality: stoic, even-keeled, unflappable. In some ways, the 0-6 start and his own struggles allowed the Giants to see something in Manning that is always there but rarely revealed.
“I think he was decisive, determined,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “He’s always focused, but I think determined is probably the best word. He was glaringly determined to play well.’’
Given a reprieve after his dismal 15 interceptions in the first six games, it will be interesting to see if Manning, who always thrives in playoff mode, can rekindle that spark now that, in essence, the playoffs already have arrived for the Giants.
Hole in the Middle
Given all the losses to injury on both sides, the most damaging blow is the strained hamstring that will keep Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee off the field for several more weeks. He’s a difference-maker, and without him the Dallas defense is not the same.
“I think it’s going to have a big impact,’’ Cruz said. “He’s the guy who makes all their calls. He’s basically the leader on that defense and not having him there is huge for their defense. I think Ernie Sims is filling that void and he’s a good player, extremely fast, so he’s definitely going to be a handful for us.’’
Paul’s Pick
Silly to assume the Giants are the more motivated team. Has anyone checked the standings lately? The Cowboys need this game badly, and it is unwise to discount their talent and their ability to come up big in this spot. Harsh weather could be more damaging to the Giants, but they seemed primed for a strong showing. Hold on for a wild ride.
GIANTS 27, COWBOYS 24