| By Jason Leach |
With the exception of 2007 and 2011 the Giants have had collapses in the second half of the season that cost them a shot at the playoffs. This season after a 0-6 start, the Giants are making a second half surge that has them a game and a half out of first place.
The biggest reason for the Giants turnaround has been their defense which received a bolt with the acquisition of linebacker Jon Beason. During their six game losing streak, the defense gave up 34.8 points per game. During their four game winning streak the defense has only allowed 11 points per game.
Albeit, the Giants have not played against stellar quarterbacks the last four weeks, in today’s NFL anytime you hold 4 opponents to an average of 11 points that’s an accomplishment.
The Giants will now look to avenge their week 1 loss to their arch rival the Dallas Cowboys Sunday at MetLife Stadium. If the Giants are victorious it will bring them to 5-6 and 1 game in back of the idle Philadelphia Eagles. The fact that the Giants have a shot of winning the NFC East was thought to be impossible as many wrote the team off after their 0-6 start.
Now they have a realistic chance of being the first team in NFL history to make it to the playoffs following a 0-6 start to the season. Just the fact that this is even a conversation after the slow start to the season is a testament to the Giants and the coaching staff. Most teams would have given up after such a sluggish start to the season.
After the Cowboys game on Sunday only two of the remaining five teams the Giants play have winning record. So the schedule matches up favorable as 9-7 or 8-8 record can win the division.
What was once considered one of the worst seasons in the Giants history is now just a few wins away from being the most remarkable turnaround in NFL history.