New York Giants have officially restored organizational credibility
Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

With the Tampa Buccaneers loss on Saturday, the New York Giants clinched their first trip to the playoffs and have restored credibility. 

The New York Giants would have wanted to do the clinching on their own, had they defeated the Eagles on Thursday night, but after missing the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, the Giants will take their entry into the postseason anyway they can.

At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Giants president and CEO John Mara said the franchise had lost credibility after missing the playoffs four years in a row. Now that the Giants are back in the playoffs and with the way they played all season, they have restored their credibility as one of the top franchises in the NFL.

The defense this season has played like Giants defenses of the mid to late 1980s squads and has been the best defense in the league over the past month. They may have the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in safety Landon Collins and a top tier passing rusher in Olivier Vernon.

Heading into the playoffs, you have to feel confident that the Giants defense will keep them in any game, regardless of the opponent.

Now the Giants have to hope that Eli Manning will play like playoff Eli Manning.

Manning has had an up and down 2016, throwing 26 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. But this has been the story throughout his 13-year career in the regular season.

In the postseason, Manning has been money.

He’s 8-3 in the tournament which includes two road NFC Championship victories in adverse conditions, and two wins in the Super Bowl over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. He was named Super Bowl MVP both times. If you throw out Manning’s first playoff game against the Carolina Panthers in January of 2006, when he threw three interceptions, Manning has thrown for 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions in his last 10 playoff games.

This is one of the reasons why he is considered one of, if not the most clutch quarterback in NFL history.

The Giants have already defeated the No. 1 seeded Dallas Cowboys twice this season, so they will feel confident whoever they play in the postseason.

If Eli can perform in the postseason as he’s done in the past, then the Giants have a good chance of winning their fifth Lombardi trophy, something only three other franchises have done.

Jason's first love was football while growing up in northern New Jersey. For the past three years, he has covered the New York Giants, as well as several boxing events along the East Coast.