The New York Giants fell to 7-4 on the season with a 28-20 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys. They are now mired in a bit of a slump, going 1-3 over their last four games as the playoff race tightens.
Things get no easier from here as the Giants continue their four-game NFC East stretch with two games against the Washington Commanders and one against the Philadelphia Eagles.
As we enter Week 13, here’s a look at where the Giants place in a multitude of power rankings.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 15 (No change)
Of the NFC’s seven projected playoff teams, only one doesn’t own a divisional win … not great for the G-Men given they’re in the midst of a four-game stretch against NFC East foes.
Bo Wulf, The Athletic: 16 (-2)
The Giants might have some reinforcements on the way ahead of Sunday’s key game against Washington as they look to rebound from a 1-3 stretch over the last four games that has brought them down to earth. The Giants and Commanders play each other twice over the next three weeks in a stretch that will determine how likely it is for the NFC East to somehow squeeze all four teams into the playoffs. Right now, it might be the best division of all time.
Austin Gayle, The Ringer: 17 (-4)
The Giants are on the ropes after losing three of their last four games and need to battle back to secure a wild-card spot in the NFC. While opposing defenses have sold out to stop RB Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones and the team’s no-name receiving corps have been unable to pick up the slack. Additionally, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s inherently aggressive, volatile defensive strategy, predicated on blitzes and man coverage, has caught the wrong side of variance in recent weeks. Since their Week 8 loss to the Seahawks, the Giants rank 28th in points allowed per game. Sunday’s game against the Commanders is a borderline must-win game: The Giants’ postseason odds will sink below 30 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight’s model, if they lose to Washington.
Barry Werner, List Wire: 17 (-4)
The Giants were 7-2 and in four days that turned into 7-4. This team is on a slippery slope and needs to regroup before a two-game losing streak becomes a longer skid.
Mark Lane, Touchdown Wire: N/A
Mark Lane, Touchdown Wire: N/A
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: 16 (-2)
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network:
The Giants will probably continue to slowly concede spots on the NFL Power Rankings, but New York fans shouldn’t be too upset about a late-season slide. They play two games against Washington and Philadelphia each, then also play Minnesota and Indianapolis.
The Giants have overachieved relative to their roster in 2022, which should give fans hope for Mike Kafka, Brian Daboll, and Wink Martindale. While New York’s defense hasn’t necessarily been a strength for them, they’re overachieving compared to the current depth chart, which has been ravaged by injuries.
Give Martindale a year or two to help mold a defensive depth chart that suits his uber-aggressive nature, and New York’s defense could be one of the dominant units in the NFL.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: 11 (-1)
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News:
The Giants fought hard with their remixed offense for Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, but their run defense issues have become a big bugaboo. They’re still looking good for an NFC wild card, but the winning the East is out of reach now.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: 14 (-1)
It’s a little surprising that the Giants aren’t getting more out of Saquon Barkley as a receiver. In the last six games Barkley has 17 catches for 80 yards. Barkley posting 13.3 receiving yards per game over that stretch is a reason the offense hasn’t been better. We know Barkley can have a huge impact in the passing game too.
Josh Schrock, NBC Sports: 14 (No change)
After another loss, the Giants are suddenly sinking and their playoff hopes are looking dire. Don’t think Odell Beckham Jr. is going to be the cure-all the Giants’ rickety passing game needs.
