NFL

After slow start, Giants might be NFC’s top team

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Through the first three games of the season, the Giants were 1-2, had already lost two games within the NFC East and seemed to be creaking a bit under the weight of the post-Super Bowl experience. With a schedule that might be the most difficult in the league, nagging injuries cropping up all over the roster and a division that looked to be exploding with competition, it figured the Giants would have a long, grueling struggle to get in position to make one of their patented playoff surges.

Five weeks after they disgusted themselves down in Philadelphia, blowing numerous chances in a 19-17 loss to the Eagles, the Giants are 6-2 and in control of the NFC East, opening up a 2 1/2-game lead on the Eagles and Cowboys and knowing after Sunday’s clash with the Steelers there is a bye week sitting there to rejuvenate them for the stretch run.

Even though the Falcons are the only undefeated team in the league, it is a growing feeling the Giants can rule the conference since they can beat anyone, anywhere and, interestingly, in almost any manner. They are built to win a shootout or a slugfest, and are able to come from behind or play from ahead. Based on their pedigree and recent history, the Giants know how to fight their way out of a corner, with Eli Manning throwing his way out of it or the on-again, off-again pass rush powering its way through.

A look back on what’s gone down:

Game of the first half

The day that warned the entire league the Super Bowl champs were back in business was the thoroughly dominating 26-3 thrashing of the big, bad 49ers in San Francisco.

Disappointment of the first half

Ask any Giants fan what he doesn’t trust and the response will likely be: “Our ability to cover in the secondary.’’ The talent is there, but aches and scrapes have messed with the chemistry. If Corey Webster, Prince Amukamara, Antrel Rolle, Kenny Phillips, Stevie Brown and rookie Jayron Hosley can all stay on the field together, the results should be better than what they have been.

What needs to stay

The Giants are plus-13 in turnover margin and without that huge discrepancy all the yards the defense allows would be crushing. It is not as if the offense is air-tight — it has turned it over 11 times — but the defensive thievery has been sensational.

What needs to change

The Giants won a Super Bowl last season despite finishing last in the league in rushing, so it’s not as if they need to be bulldozers on the ground. But they are going to need to keep more drives alive and third-and-3 cannot be too much for Ahmad Bradshaw, Andre Brown or even David Wilson to overcome.

Midseason report card

OFFENSE

Eli Manning operates one of the highest-scoring and big-play producing attacks in the league, which is remarkable considering so much has not gone according to script. The running game anchored by Ahmad Bradshaw has been decent but inconsistent. The pass protection has been exemplary — Manning has been sacked only six times. Hakeem Nicks has been hobbled or sidelined and his numbers (26 catches, 380 yards, one touchdown) are way down, putting too much of a strain on Victor Cruz (52 receptions, 650 yards, seven touchdowns), who has been wonderful but is taking a beating. Manning continues to be one of, if not the NFL’s top clutch player, but his interceptions (eight) are creeping up and the operation has sputtered too frequently in the red zone. Tight end Martellus Bennett talks a great game and plays a pretty good one, too. Rookie first-round pick David Wilson has thus far been a dud as a running back in limited opportunities.

B+

DEFENSE

Dominance has been fleeting and anxiety is more common for a unit that still has major issues stopping the pass unless the pressure up front is humming, which comes and goes. Jason Pierre-Paul, after a slow start, is beginning to percolate, but Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are not the sack-artist behemoths they need to be. A healthy Chris Canty in the middle — he played only two games — should help and Linval Joseph is becoming a force. Chase Blackburn has held on to the middle linebacker job and been a playmaker, but now he’s got a bum hamstring. On the back end, versatile Antrel Rolle is roaming at a high level and fill-in Stevie Brown has been a revelation, but Corey Webster has been a step off dealing with a nagging hamstring problem. Prince Amukamara is showing signs, but calling him a shut-down cornerback remains a stretch.

B

SPECIAL TEAMS

The failures to reach the end zone have been a boon to Lawrence Tynes, who already has hit 24 field goals (in 26 attempts) and is putting together a Pro Bowl-worthy season. His kickoffs are booming, too. Steve Weatherford is a reliable punter and limits returns by placing the ball in the right spot. The athletic ability is obvious when David Wilson returns kickoffs, as he is a threat every time. Rueben Randle’s ball-security on punt returns is terrific but he’s not a one-move-and-go guy. Coverage is aided by fleet linebackers and very solid.

A-

COACHING

As a two-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Coughlin has supreme credibility and his drive to succeed makes complacency virtually impossible. He may not look calm on the sideline, but his team hangs in, no matter what. Kevin Gilbride looks for matchup advantages and attacks them and if that’s through the air, Manning is going to let it fly. Gilbride can’t be accused of ditching the run, even when it’s stalled. Perry Fewell is adamant his front four will manufacture pressure and, fearing big plays down the field, is reluctant to blitz. His defense still is too much of a high-wire act.

A