With the Eagles 22-17 loss to the Browns in Week 11, the Giants suddenly find themselves in the thick of the NFC East race, just half a game back of first place.
After going 1-7 in the first eight games, New York has won two in a row against division rivals Washington and Philadelphia. Now, with six games left on the schedule, Big Blue will be fighting for its first playoff berth since 2016.
The final six games for the Giants are at Cincinnati, at Seattle, vs Arizona, vs Cleveland, at Baltimore, and vs Dallas. The last game against Dallas could end up being the game that decides the division winner.
There is one scenario in which the Giants can be in first place at the end of week 12. New York will need to defeat the Bengals on Sunday, a Washington win over Dallas on Thanksgiving, and an Eagles loss to Seattle on Monday night.
The Giants will be getting some reinforcements for its playoff push. Rookie safety Xavier McKinney, who has missed the entire season so far due to a foot injury, returned to practice this week. Edge rusher Oshane Ximines, who has been out since Week 4 with a shoulder injury, also returned to practice. However, a week 13 return against Seattle could be more likely for them.
Both linebacker Tae Crowder and cornerback Ryan Lewis could see their return to the field soon.
While the road to a division title won’t be an easy one, it is certainly a breath of fresh air to see the Giants playing meaningful games this late in the season.
(Photo: Al Drago/AP)
