By: Marco Imperati
To get back into the NFC playoff race, it may take the greatest coaching job Tom Coughlin has ever put together.
At 3-4, but most importantly 1-2 in the NFC East, Coach Tom Coughlin and the Giants face an uphill battle. Dallas and Philadelphia are surging into the 2nd half of the season and are not making the mistakes that have plagued each team in the past.
In the remaining nine games, the Giants must win out in the division (all remaining games vs NFC East teams are home games).
The Giants must come out strong and mistake free vs. the hardest part of the schedule. After this bye week, the Giants host the Colts on Monday Night Football, travel to Seattle, back home to host the 49ers and then the Cowboys. Those four teams pose a combined record of 18-9.
The two playoff runs (2007, 2011) that resulted in Super Bowl victories not withstanding, if the Giants could turn around this season, it may rank right below the two SB victories on Tom Coughlin’s resume.
With the amount of rookies playing, Victor Cruz lost for the season, Jon Beason possibly lost for the season and the evolution of a new offense, The Giants will need to click on all cylinders coming out of the bye.
We all know injuries happen for every team, but what has transpired to this Giants team over the last few weeks is jaw dropping. There was no GM more aggressive in Free Agency then Jerry Reese. He nearly turned over the roster by more then 50 percent.
Geoff Shwartz: Injured in preseason. This injury has forced John Jerry to play more then expected, as well as rookie Weston Richburg.
Walter Thurmond III: Lost for the season with a torn pec. His replacement, the always solid Trumaine McBride was also lost for the season. This has forced practice squad player Chandler Fener to come up and try to shore up a thin secondary.
Rashaad Jennings: Injured, but the team hopes he can return vs the Colts. Andre Williams and Peyton Hillis haven’t been able to do much. This team also lost David Wilson in preseason.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Has been banged up the last few weeks. Zach Bowman has filled in.
Jon Beason: Injured again. Have to start wondering how and if this guy will ever be fully healthy. Jameel McClain will fill in.
Stevie Brown: Did not bounce back as expected. Let’s not forget that Will Hill was cut following another suspension. The depth that this team started with has been thrashed.