This just in: The Giants season is NOT over.
After back-to-back demoralizing losses to the Eagles and Saints, taking their losing streak to three, it seems the sky in the Giants’ universe might be falling. Yet Troy Aikman, the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Cowboys, has a dose of perspective for Big Blue faithful.
“I don’t think it’s as bad as it seems,” said Aikman, who will call Giants-Packers this Sunday on FOX. “They counted on some games to be wins that they didn’t win. But they’re still in a good position, if somehow they can believe that and go out and play. Confidence comes from having success on the field, and that’s what they need.”
It won’t get any tougher than Sunday, with the 11-0 Packers at MetLife Stadium vying to continue their run to becoming just the third team in NFL history to finish a regular season undefeated. But, in turn, if the Giants – who, remind you, are 6-5 and just one game behind the Cowboys in the NFC East – can come away with a win, the confidence boost will be immense.
“Two weeks ago I thought the two teams with the best chance to beat [the Packers] would be Detroit on Thursday and New York this week,” Aikman said, recognizing the Packers handily beat the Lions on Thanksgiving, 27-15. “Primarily because those are the teams that are capable of getting after Aaron Rodgers without bringing extra people. I know [the Giants] have struggled with that lately, but they’re capable at any time to cut it loose.”
Somehow, the Giants previously heralded defense has been lackluster this season, ranking 28th out of 32 teams by giving up 381.6 yards per game. The mighty pass rush has also only recorded one sack in the past two weeks, as the Giants have been outscored by a combined 67-34.
And it doesn’t get any easier with Rodgers in town. The 27-year-old quarterback, with already one Super Bowl title under his belt, is in the midst of one of the best seasons in NFL history.
“Any time you got a QB as hot as Rodgers is, with the weapons they have,” Aikman said, “it makes up for a lot of problems on your ball club.”
The Giants have also been hit with a rash of injuries – most notably to an already shallow linebackers corps and to running back Amhad Bradshaw – but injuries are something every team in the NFL is dealing with at this point in the season. Aikman even believes that the Giants have done well in terms of showing some mettle.
“We had them the first game of the year against the Redskins [a 28-14 Washington win] and I thought, ‘Wow, this team may not win six games,’ ” Aikman said. “But it’s kind of what we’ve come to see from the Giants – they’ve overcome a lot.”
bcyrgalis@nypost.com