The math says that the Giants are one game out of a playoff spot.
In reality, the playoffs already have begun because there is no margin for error when the Giants (5-8) occupy the No. 12 seed in a tightly condensed NFC. Only seven teams make the playoffs.
“It’s never going to be easy,” head coach Brian Daboll said one day after a 24-22 upset victory against the Packers. “As good as it is one week, it could be as bad the next week. So, have to keep the focus where it needs to be.”
In this case, the focus is on the short turnaround to Sunday’s game against the Saints — one of the teams ahead of the Giants in the wild card picture.
“Obviously we have hopes to be in that,” left tackle Andrew Thomas said. “That’s why we are in this league — to win a Super Bowl. But our mindset is going one game at a time. We have the Saints coming up, and that’s going to be a big one.”
Running back Saquon Barkley set the tone last week when he acknowledged that every game is a must-win after the Giants dug a hole with a 2-8 start.
After the win against the Packers, playoff odds essentially doubled to about 2 percent, but the vibe in the postgame locker room felt more optimistic than the analytics indicate.
“You acknowledge it, understanding that that’s still here, but still got a lot to do,” Barkley said. “Keep the main thing the main thing and that’s what we’ve got to continue to do: Watch film, get better from this and get ready for our opponent. Going into a tough environment against the Saints and got to try to find a way to get another win.”
The issue for the Giants is the second-hardest remaining strength of schedule in the league, thanks to two more games against the defending NFC champion Eagles, who have won 15 of the last 18 rivalry matchups.
No extra pressure is needed to make the road more challenging.
“We’ll worry about [playoffs] whenever that time comes and right now it’s just one win at a time and everything will take care of itself,” receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said. “At the end of the day, we want to win every game. I don’t want to put anything on everybody.”
It looked like the Giants were going to go for a fourth-and-1 around midfield in the second quarter.
Then they ran the punt team on late — to the displeasure of the crowd — and called timeout to avoid a delay-of-game penalty. Then the offense returned.
Daboll said his decision was influenced by Barkley, not the crowd.
“He said, ‘We’ll get it, put it in my hands,’ ” Daboll said. “I said, ‘OK, let’s go.’ ”
Daboll was “pretty comfortable” with the play call, but Barkley was stopped short. Does he lose his vote next time?
“No,” Daboll said. “I like when guys do that.”
WR Parris Campbell (knee) showed up as questionable on the Friday injury report but he was scratched more because of a coaching decision.
The Giants activated one fewer receiver to have DT Jordon Riley available as a contingency DT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) was on a pitch count and DTs A’Shawn Robinson (hamstring) and LB Isaiah Simmons (ankle) were dealing with injuries. Riley played nine defensive snaps.