Giants begin pivotal month with pivotal matchup vs. Commanders
Giants coach Brian Daboll yells toward the officials on Thursday in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Michael Ainsworth
Brian Daboll’s public mantra has been unwavering: Every week is to be treated the same as every other week in Giants-land, with consistency as its own reward.
But the schedule and standings math say differently as the Giants begin a pivotal month with a pivotal game.
“Dabes talked to us today and he kind of gave us that idea that the beginning of the season starts now,” edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux said Monday in a video news conference.
“Everything we’ve done has put us in position to go for it all. So we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves, but it is a big task at hand that we have.”
That task is the Commanders, a team that has won six of its last seven games and at 7-5 is a half-game behind the Giants in the NFC East.
Washington figures to be one of the teams battling the Giants for the final wild-card spots in the NFC, making the teams’ two head-to-head games crucial.
If the Commanders win at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, it will move them ahead of the Giants, who would be in last place with a loss. The teams will meet again two weeks after that.
So no matter what Daboll says when he speaks to reporters on Tuesday, facts are facts: Some games are bigger than others, and this one is bigger than most.
For decades, the baseline goal for the Giants has been to play games that matter in December, and they have one in a big way on Dec. 4.
“Definitely nice to play meaningful football in December,” center Nick Gates said. “It’s the first time that’s happened in my career, so it’s definitely nice.”
Gates, who has been a Giant since 2018, on Monday was announced as the team’s recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, as voted on by the players, for his inspiring return after being sidelined 410 days following a horrific leg injury last season.
So Gates knows from both team and personal adversity. Thibodeaux is a rookie and thus will lean on guidance from his elders in navigating this stretch run.
He cited advice from past Giants greats and “mentors” who still are around the team such as Carl Banks, Michael Strahan and Jessie Armstead.
“Just to give you those insights to ‘this is where the biggest guys step up,’ ” Thibodeaux said. “It gives you that extra thing to play for — extra motivation.”
The Giants have lost three of four games, with the only victory coming against the Texans, who have the worst record in the NFL.
But they should have some injured players back this week after being severely depleted in a Thanksgiving Day loss to Dallas.
On Monday, the team designated linebacker Azeez Ojulari, guard Ben Bredeson and defensive back Tony Jefferson to return from injured reserve.
There could be additional positive updates when the Giants return to practice on Tuesday.
This finishing stretch is not going to be easy. Only one of the Giants’ final six opponents — including Washington and the Eagles twice each — currently has a losing record.
But victories they banked during a 6-1 start could pay off now that the sledding has gotten tougher.
Has the team lost any confidence during this rocky stretch?
“No, I don’t think our swagger is gone,” Thibodeaux said. “I don’t think anything about who we are and our character is gone. I just feel like it’s going to take more confidence for a lot of guys who have to step up and take on these bigger roles.
“December football is the most important football. So now that we’re here, we definitely have to crank up the intensity, crank up the sense of urgency.”
There is no better time than Sunday.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
