Tom Coughlin: 'We've got to finish'
Head coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants reacts after a play in the first half against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Jim McIsaac
For the first 10 games of the season, the Giants fought to be "relevant." It was a word Tom Coughlin leaned on almost every week as the Giants remained in the thick of a close but unattractive race in the NFC East. Now that they are at Thanksgiving week -- the traditional launching point for playoff pushes -- and coming off their bye, Coughlin is changing the goal. "We are relevant," he said. "And now we have to do something about it."
The Giants (5-5) actually gained ground in the division without even playing. Losses by Philadelphia and Washington (both 4-6) gave them a one-game lead in the standings. They play Washington on Sunday in a game that could extend that lead to two full games if the Eagles lose in Detroit on Thursday.
While the Giants have not had much success closing out games, Coughlin hopes they can close out the season.
"Finish," he said. "That word we keep using. We've got to finish . . . It's a six-game season, that's exactly what it is. Every game is a critical game."
Prince clearedPrince Amukamara (pectoral muscle) has been cleared to play Sunday after missing five games. He said he likely will wear a protective brace but feels "fresh" after the layoff and does not expect to have any hesitation on the field.
"I feel like I'm ready to play four quarters of a football game," he said on Monday. "I feel 100 percent. I feel ready to go."
Giant stepsJustin Pugh is in the team's concussion protocol after his headaches persisted during the bye week. Pugh played against Tampa Bay and was cleared to play against the Patriots after what the team and an independent neurologist described as an "illness" and "dehydration," but he was inactive for the New England game after not feeling well when he woke up that day . . . C Weston Richburg suffered a high ankle sprain in the Patriots game and hopes to test the injury in practice later this week . . . LB J.T. Thomas (ankle), LB Uani 'Unga (neck) and TE Larry Donnell (neck) participated in practice Monday and appear poised to return from their injuries this week. DE Damontre Moore (hamstring) was held to the side.
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.
