KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It doesn’t matter anymore.
It doesn’t matter how many interceptions Eli Manning throws or how many sacks given up by his makeshift offensive line. Coach Tom Coughlin’s age doesn’t matter, nor does Jason Pierre-Paul’s rust, how stuck in the mud David Wilson’s fast feet are or why Steve Weatherford’s punts suddenly have gone awry.
Doesn’t matter that the Giants got out of a deep hole six years ago and went on to great things, or that they are a crisp, upbeat outfit on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The how-many-days-till-the-Super-Bowl calendar in the locker room doesn’t matter, nor do Antrel Rolle’s exhortations or Justin Tuck’s reassurances.
They can’t summon Mariano Rivera out of the bullpen. The only way for the 0-3 Giants to save their 2013 season Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium is to figure out a way to exit with one more point than the Chiefs, who happen to be undefeated. Whether Manning has to channel crazy-legged father Archie and run for the winning touchdown or Hakeem Nicks has to throw the ball to himself or one of defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s “bigger butts’’ linemen has to scoop up a fumble and rumble for a score.
For the Giants, winning is what matters, nothing else, as a winless September virtually is going to assure a depressing October, a restless November, an irrelevant December and another non-playoff January.
“We can’t change the start of the season,’’ Manning said, “but we can start right now and change the ending.’’
A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Chiefs LB Tamba Hali vs. Giants LT Will Beatty
No doubt NFL sack leader Justin Houston going against rookie RT Justin Pugh is a key matchup, but the Giants must get a rebound performance from Beatty, coming off a miserable showing last week in Carolina. Hali is a savvy veteran, and the Giants can’t afford to slide the protection help to Beatty, meaning he has to hold up by himself.
THE RISING
The addition of Andy Reid as head coach and Alex Smith at quarterback has awakened a dormant franchise. The Chiefs went 2-14 last season yet now are one of just seven unbeaten teams, a shocking turnaround. They already have disposed of the Cowboys and Eagles, as Reid this weekend takes aim at another NFC East team, this one going from bad to worse and coming off a 38-0 beat-down in Carolina.
The best chance for the lowly Giants might be if they are taken lightly by the high-flying Chiefs.
“It’s a prideful team that we’re playing, and I’m sure that was a little bit of a wakeup call, and I’m sure these guys are going to come out to answer the bell this week,’’ said Smith, who has nearly as many rushing yards (114) as the entire Giants team (133).
BERRY GOOD
If Eli Manning makes a mistake in the vicinity of Eric Berry, it is likely going to be big trouble. The do-everything strong safety already has an interception return for a touchdown this season, and he does not merely sit back and cover.
“They blitz him like crazy,’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said.
TUCK TIME?
There was a time when Justin Tuck would salivate knowing he was going up against a rookie, even a rookie such as Eric Fisher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Tuck’s production is in steep decline, though, and it remains to be seen if he can dominate anyone. Fisher starts at left tackle and has endured growing pains. He allowed one sack, two quarterback hurries and committed one holding penalty in the first half of last week’s victory in Philadelphia. Fisher’s three-game grade of minus-6.7 by Pro Football Focus is 52nd out of 55 offensive tackles. Tuck’s best game so far was the opener in Dallas, since then he hasn’t done much. He’ll be needed to pressure Smith and deal with running back Jamaal Charles, who is a dual run/receiving threat.
PROTECTION PLAN
Will the Giants injury-depleted offensive line be able to block anyone at any time?
Chris Snee and David Baas won’t be here, so some mixture of Jim Cordle, James Brewer and Brandon Mosley (combined one NFL start) will have to hold up.
“I don’t think it’s an added pressure,’’ said Pugh, suddenly an experienced hand on the line with three career starts. “I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves already to be perfect, and if we go out there and execute and do our technique, we’ll be all right. I think the challenge is for us to keep Eli up.’’
PASSING CONNECTION
First of all, there is no rift between Hakeem Nicks and Manning, and anyone who turns what Nicks said in the locker room in Carolina into some festering unrest is making something up or not paying attention. Still, Manning admits he’s “been pressing a little bit’’ amid the offensive meltdown, and Nicks, with just nine receptions and no touchdowns, is not having the start he envisioned. The Chiefs play plenty of man coverage and this could be the week Nicks finds the end zone.
SHAKE IT OFF
For those who say the preseason is meaningless, we give you Jason Pierre-Paul as Exhibit A why it is not. Coming off back surgery, he missed all of training camp and all four preseason games, and as a result his first three games were nondescript.
“I would say rusty is a word,’’ he said. “I’m moving way better, like 10 times better, so we’ll see this week if I get to the quarterback or not.’’
PAUL’S PICK
No, it does not compute. There isn’t a shred of statistical data to hint the Giants are about to get their first win. This is the most turnover-laden team against the best ball-security team in the league. No sign points to the Giants but sometimes what happens doesn’t make sense so here goes …
GIANTS 20, CHIEFS 17