For the second year in a row, the New York Giants playoff hopes have been dashed before Halloween, but the team still has pride on the line when they take on the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY—The last season and a half has been a painful one for the New York Giants and their fans. Over their last 23 games, the Giants have compiled a record of 4-19 and are 1-16 in their last 17 NFC conference games.
This kind of ineptitude is something that you would expect from the Cleveland Browns, not one of the model franchises in the league.
But perhaps the most difficult thing that Giants fans have witnessed in this span is the regression of the franchise’s greatest quarterback, Eli Manning.
In Manning’s first full eight seasons as a starter, the team never put forth a losing record. Since, the Giants have had a losing record in four of the last five season, and are well on their way to making it five out of the last six.
Manning’s regular-season record now stands at 112-109, and it’s almost a foregone conclusion that 2018 will be his last season with Big Blue.
It’s clear as day that the Giants are in total rebuild mode. Co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch haven’t come out publicly and use the word rebuild yet, but why else would the Giants trade two defensive starters in Damon Harrison and Eli Apple for draft picks with the first place Redskins coming into town.
As difficult and disappointing as the season has been up to this point, it could get worse especially in light of the recent trades.
With no chance of making the playoffs and it being too early in the season to think they could spoil the Redskins seasons with a win, some would think the Giants have nothing to play for on Sunday.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
There’s always pride at stake and no matter what your record maybe, players and coaches always want to win. That’s why they spend countless hours in the film room and on the practice field to prepare for the upcoming game.
In addition to wanting to win, the players are also playing for their jobs. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 30, and several players such as Janoris Jenkins have been rumored to be on the trading block.
Jenkins was asked earlier this week if he’s going into Sunday’s game wondering if it will be his last game as a Giant.
“No, never, I want to be here. I’m happy I’m here. Like I said, whatever decision they make, they make. I’m going to go with it. No bad feelings, no hard feelings, business is business.”
Ownership and general manager Dave Gettleman will have a close eye on all of the players that step on the field on Sunday to see if it’s in the best interest on the organization to trade them and acquire picks or to keep them to be one of the rebuilding blocks.
So the players will have to show that they’re putting up their best effort, and playing with pride.
Aside from wanting to play inspired football for themselves and the organization, the Giants also owe it to their fans who have remained supportive of the team despite the team falling on hard times.
Giants fans have been treated to a home victory just twice in the last 11 home games. It would be great to give the MetLife faithful something to cheer about for a change in what has been another dismal season.
