Giants On Pace To Make Franchise History

Less than a year ago, fans and the NY Media were calling for the head of Tom Coughlin. We heard names like Charlie Weiss (How's ND doing this year Charlie?), Bill Cowher, Bill Parcells and a slew of others. Now Tom Coughlin is set to do for this team that hasn't been done since Parcells was the coach last century.

At the conclusion of Sunday's contest, and chalking up a victory over the Lions, the New York Giants are on the verge of doing something this franchise hasn't done in a very long time, go to the playoffs three consecutive years.

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Holding with a 7 - 3 record, staring down a Viking's opponent that is about as inconsistent a franchise can get, the Giants truly control their own destiny.

Over the next 6 weeks the Giants schedule stands as follows:

.vs. Minnesota (4-6)
at Chicago (4-6)
at Philadelphia (5-5)
.vs. Washington (5-5)
at Buffalo (5-5)
.vs. New England (10000 - 0)

Obviously being a bit facetious about the Pats, but you get the point. For now lets say the Pats game is a loss (although I think they are going to win that one). Each of the other remaining 5 games are very winnable, and two are against teams they have already beaten, in Philly and Washington.

By the end of the season the Giants could easily be 12 - 4. Now in most seasons that would account for a first place finish, and in 2000 that was worth the #1 seed in the conference. However, the way Dallas and Green Bay are playing (two teams that have already beaten the Giants), the division and a 1st round bye pretty much went out the window 2 weeks ago when the Giants lost to the Cowboys at home.

If we go by the Giants track record this season, where they beat up on the slop in the NFL and struggle against the good teams, then this team should without a doubt finish at 12 - 4.

With the announcement of Kiwianuka now out for the year and Jacobs on a week to week basis, how much will these two injuries affect the Giants going forward? Without a doubt the bigger of the two losses is Kiwianuka. The Giants are losing a really good pass rusher, and the pass rush of the Giants is what hides the mediocre secondary they have.

Jacobs isn't a huge loss, because if you remember he went down early in the season and Ward was able to step in and do a real nice job. However, the Giants do not have that luxury going forward, since Ward is out also. In steps Mr. Droughns. Giants GM Jerry Reese is now looking like a genius for the trade that sent never seen WR Tim Carter to the Browns for Droughns. Droughns will fill in nicely, and with rookie 7th round draft choice, Ahmad Bradshaw showing his speed last Sunday, he will definitely give the running game a nice lift as well.

Regardless of injuries, the fact remains, this Giants team like last year's team, controls its own destiny. If they fulfill teir destiny, come season's end, they will have made history and Coach Coughlin is sure to get a nice extension.

By: Michael C. Podlesny



Michael C. Podlesny is the co-host of the Big Blue Review, a weekly podcast featuring the latest news on The New York Giants. The podcast can be downloaded from Michael's blog at http://bigbluereviewpodcast.blogspot.com/