A 36-31 win in Philadelphia gave the Giants a two-game lead in the NFC East and a win over every team in the division.
Is it too early to start thinking about first-round bye?
“Not too early, it’s human nature you’re going to think about it, about winning the division, getting that bye week and getting that extra rest,” LB Antonio Pierce said on WFAN’s Mike Francesa show heading into Sunday’s game against the Ravens.
“But at the same time if you don’t handle this week’s opponent you are going to be going backwards. This isn’t a divisional foe, a non-conference game but this is at our home and we want to be 6-0 (at Giants Stadium).
“Now thinking towards the future, if we do get a first-round bye, the only way we can get that is with a good record. For us, we want to get there and those thoughts go through your head, but you can’t worry about that.”
The Panthers stayed within one game of the Giants for the top record in the NFC with an ugly 17-6 win in Oakland on Sunday. How ugly? Carolina QB Jake Delhomme completed 7 of 27 passes for 72 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Luckily for the Panthers, they were playing one of the worst teams in football, a feeling they will enjoy again this weekend when the NFL’s only winless team, the Lions, visit Carolina.
But after that the road gets much trickier for the Panthers with trips to Atlanta and Green Bay followed by home games with the Bucs and Broncos before a Week 16 showdown with the Giants at the Meadowlands. If the Panthers hope to keep pace with the juggernaut Giants, they certainly will need better performances from Delhomme and the whole team with their difficult upcoming schedule.
The Panthers are one of the difficult matchups the Giants will have in their final seven games. They face the defensively-dominant Ravens at home this weekend before traveling to the desert to take on the explosive, NFC West-leading Cardinals. Then the Giants have three straight division games before they welcome Carolina.
“I think it is difficult, honestly, but as far as our coaches and our leadership those guys won’t allow us to think too far ahead,” DT Barry Cofield said.
“Also we have such a tough schedule down the road, we have so many big games, it seems like every game is a winning team as far as the opponent. I think we are focused on Baltimore. We know they are a good team, they are having a good season, and we want to win another game at home.”
QB Kurt Warner and the Cardinals might have the best chance of catching the Giants, who at least get the defending Super Bowl champions at home, where they are a much more competitive team.
IF SEASON ENDED TODAY:
WILD-CARD ROUND
Redskins (6) at Cardinals (3)
Bucs (5) at Bears (4)
FIRST-ROUND BYES
Giants (1); Panthers (2)