Giants still have goals as playoffs fade
Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants runs off the field after a loss to the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Jim McIsaac
It's been a rough season, but now they get to fatten up by playing one of the worst teams in football.
At least that's what the Jaguars might be thinking as they get ready to take on the lowly Giants, owners of the league's longest active losing streak at six. It's gotten to the point that even facing Jacksonville -- a 1-10 team -- isn't enough for the Giants to pencil in a victory.
"They have one win and we have three wins," Eli Manning said Monday. "I don't think we're in a position to label anybody or to think we are better than anybody."
The five teams the Giants have lost to during their skid (they faced the Cowboys twice but we're counting them once) have a combined record of 37-18. Of the Giants' next four opponents, none has a winning record and the four are 10-34.
The Giants have been eliminated from contention in the NFC East and the playoffs are a long shot. All that's left is to try to salvage some pride by finishing at .500. As it is, they will finish with a non-winning record in consecutive seasons for the first time since they were 4-12 in 2003 and 6-10 in 2004.
"No doubt," Manning said of avoiding a second straight losing record. "I think that is a great challenge, whether it is playoffs in the picture or not. We've got a job . . ."
We're football players, we have a job to do, and let's go out there and practice hard, compete and try to win every game that you are going to play in."
Schwartz does OK
Geoff Schwartz played in his first game with the Giants after coming off injured reserve with a dislocated toe, and he did so while playing out of position at right tackle. How'd he do? "He did OK for a guy who has not been involved for as long an amount of time as it's been for Geoff," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He certainly would be a guy that would tell you honestly that there are things that he definitely can improve upon, but for him to go out and do the things he did with as little practice or play time that he's had in the last two-plus months, I thought he did a fine job."
Giant steps
The Giants suffered some injuries in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, but Tom Coughlin didn't think any will be a long-term problem. Linebacker Jameel McClain (knee), left tackle Will Beatty (eye) and Odell Beckham Jr. (back) returned to the game after their injuries. Guard Adam Snyder injured his knee and did not return, but Coughlin said he should be available later this week. . . . The Cowboys swept the season series for the second year in a row, the first time that's happened since 1992-93 . . . The Cowboys are 4-1 vs. the Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
