Will the Giants make the Playoffs?

Will the Giants make the playoffs? That is the question that is haunting not only the struggling 2009 G-men, but the millions of cautiously optimistic fans that watch them play each week. Currently tied for 2nd place in the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants are just one game behind the Dallas Cowboys in the standings. The Giants divisional record is 2-1, with those wins coming over the Washington Redskins in the home opener and the Cowboys at their home opener in the new stadium. The only divisional loss was a crushing defeat by the Eagles on November 1st. After the Giants face the Falcons at home this Sunday, they head out to Denver to face the Broncos on four days rest. The timing may work out in the Giants favor in facing the now injured Falcons, and a once surging but now struggling Broncos. Coming off a 2 week break where the Giants have rested injured players and have gotten back key personnel on both sides of the ball (CB Aaron Ross). The Giants have an excellent chance at taking these two games.

That’s when the most important part of the schedule arrives…

Starting December 6th, the Giants will play three divisional games in a row; hosting the Cowboys on 12/6, the Eagles on 12/13 and then heading down to Washington to face the Redskins on 12/21. This is the portion of the season that will define the 2009 NY Giants. If the Giants can go 2-1 over this stretch, and there by regain the lead of the NFC East standings, the Giants will ensure that a trip to the NFC Championship will have to go through the Meadowlands. The Giants hold a great advantage over the Cowboys and Eagles, considering that both games will be played at the Meadowlands. These three divisional games are key to the ultimate goal of returning the NY Giants to the Superbowl this year.

The last two teams the G-men will face are the Carolina Panthers on 12/27 and the Vikings on January 3rd. It might not be safe to assume, however the Vikings should have their respective division locked by the time they face the Giants, which would assume that most of the starters would not impact the game (Favre, Peterson). The Panthers will still be in the hunt to secure the division, currently 4-5 and in third place in the NFC South.

I am not predicting the Giants to win out the remaining 7 games on the schedule. But the potential for 4-3, or 5-2 with a couple of divisional wins will practically ensure that the Giants will make playoffs this season. And with a little luck perhaps that 1st round bye as well.

Will the Giants make the Playoffs? In my estimation yes, yes they will.