This is a day for Christmas jeer, a day to assail them as New York Football Midgets for defending their Super Bowl crown with so little pride and fight and toughness, a day to wonder who hijacked Elite Eli, a day to rage at Big Blue for crimes against New York Giants bully defense, more Johnny Carson against the run than Harry Carson, more James Taylor than Lawrence Taylor terrifying the quarterback.
This is a day for Giants fans to bemoan the lump of coal in their stockings, a day to curse Scrooge for making this a Blue Christmas. But when you have witnessed the hoisting of two Lombardi Trophies since February 2008, you are allowed to use this day to cling to the wisdom of Yogi Berra, even if it has gotten late for Eli Manning & Co: It ain’t over ’til it’s over. So this is a day to hope against hope that perhaps when Santa comes to a fork in the road, he will take it, and show up late Sunday night at the Timex Performance Center with a most improbable playoff berth.
“The scenario is possible,” Eli Manning said yesterday. “It’s not like a bunch of huge upsets have to happen.”
Wishful thinking, for sure. But for Giants and Giants fans, this is a day for one last Christmas wish.
EAGLES at GIANTS (1 p.m.)
Andy Reid’s last game as Eagles head coach. Michael Vick’s last game as an Eagle. What’s to keep Reid from ending his tenure the way he started it, in the first game of his second season on the road against the Cowboys, with an onsides kick that sparked a rout, and render MetLife Stadium horrified? What could have been a coronation could be an official elimination. LeSean McCoy is back, with fresh legs and a clear head. Spoiler alert: This is the Eagles’ Super Bowl.
“We’re going to get after it,” Manning said. “The worst feeling you could have is if all of those teams lose and we don’t handle our business and we lose. You never know what can happen, it’s a crazy game, it’s a crazy sport.”
CHRISTMAS WISH: Giants win.
BEARS at LIONS (1 p.m.)
Bears must win and pray for the Packers to beat the Vikings to get the wild card.
“We’re going to do our part,” Jay Cutler said. “We’re going to take care of our business and we’ll see if it falls our way.”
The Bears won the first meeting 13-7, as the Lions committed four turnovers in Bears territory, and Charles Tillman limited Calvin Johnson to three catches for 34 yards. Johnson needs 108 yards to reach 2,000 for the season.
Ndamukong Suh highlighted a chippy game when he bulldozed Cutler (ribs) to the ground. Matt Forte has a sprained right ankle but vows to play. Brian Urlacher (hamstring) could return.
“We’re hopeful,” Lovie Smith said.
CHRISTMAS WISH: Lions win.
PACKERS at VIKINGS (4:25 p.m.)
Adrian Peterson needs 208 yards to break the NFL single-season rushing record held by Eric Dickerson (2,105). All Day rushed for 210 yards in the Vikings’ 23-14 loss at Lambeau. OLB Clay Matthews missed that game.
“You don’t want any running back to get 200 yards or even 150 against you,” safety Morgan Burnett said.
Win and the Vikes are in. Lose and they need help from Lions, Eagles and Redskins. Win and the Packers get a first-round bye. CB Antoine Winfield (fractured hand) will rally for Aaron Rodgers challenge.
“We’re just focused on beating the Vikings,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.
CHRISTMAS WISH: Packers win.
COWBOYS at REDSKINS (8:25 p.m.)
For NFC East title. It’s all-or-nothing for Jerry Jones. If Redskins lose, they would need losses by Vikings and Bears to get the wild card — the same combination the Giants (in addition to a Cowboys loss or tie) need, too.
RGIII threw four TD passes in the Redskins’ 38-31 Thanksgiving Day victory. RGKnee isn’t as mobile these days, however. Tony Romo threw for a career-high 441 yards and three second-half touchdowns.
Miles Austin (hip) left early, and Dez Bryant was not the unstoppable force of nature he is now. DeMarcus Ware (hip, elbow, shoulder) is hardly himself.
“Somehow, someway, DeMarcus is going to get himself right to play in this Washington game,” Jason Garrett said.
The Boys haven’t played in temperatures below 53 degrees, and they’re calling for mid 30s at FedEx Field.
“You want to make sure your equipment is right so you can focus on playing and coaching football,” Garrett said.
Romo is peaking over the past eight weeks (17 TDs, 3 INTs). But Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett is no slouch.
“We’re not playing to make the playoffs,” Barry Cofield said. “We’re playing to win the Super Bowl.”
CHRISTMAS WISH: Redskins win, or tie.
“I guarantee you the worst feeling will be if all those teams lose, and we lose,” Manning said.
Not exactly Namathesque.
Getcha egg nog ready.
steve.serby@nypost.com