Giants news, 11/29: Playoffs, Tiki Barber, Evan Neal, more headlines

New York Giants news for Wednesday

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

Playoffs? The New York Giants? The math says it is still possible

Ed Valentine writes:

Team Rankings gives the Giants a miniscule 0.8% chance of making the playoffs. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives them the lowest possible chance, 0.1%. The New York Times playoff projection machine generously rounds it off and gives the Giants a 1% chance of making the playoffs for a second straight year.

Look at the standings. Considering that the Minnesota Vikings (6-6) have the seventh seed as of now, it might be possible that a team with only eight victories somehow gets the seventh seed. The Giants would have to go 4-1 over their final five games to reach that mark. More likely, it takes nine wins. The Giants would have to run the table to get there.

That is not happening. Not with two of their final five games against the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles, who might be the best team in football.

More from Big Blue View

• Film breakdown: Wan’Dale Robinson and the Giants’ use of motion
• What can we learn from the Giants’ PFF grades and snap counts against the Patriots?
• Joe Schoen’s Evan Neal answers raises questions about future of Giants’ offensive line
• Former Giants great Tiki Barber a HOF semifinalist for first time

Other Giant observations

BT: Culture more important for Giants than high draft pick | WFAN.com

“To me, culture is worth so much more important than a random draft spot, where you don’t even know if the guy is going to work out,” BT said. “It was so bad [earlier in the season], that I understood why a lot of people wanted to rack up the losses and give yourself the best chance to get a the best quarterback. I don’t know, not only because of the Jets and Zach Wilson at No. 2, but what do you think people were saying in 2015? ‘Oh my God, we gotta get Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota.’ JaMarcus Russell before that, David Carr.”

Kayvon on pace with two Giants legends

WR Jalin Hyatt nominated for Rookie of the Week | Giants.com

Hyatt, who recorded five receptions for a team-leading 109 yards in the win over New England, is the third Giant to be nominated for the Rookie of the Week award this season. DeVito won the award last week following his strong outing against the Commanders, while cornerback Deonte Banks was in the running for the weekly honor for his performance against the Commanders in Week 7.

Giants Rookie Progress Report with team at 2023 bye week | SNY.tv

John Michael Schmitz missed a few games in the middle of the season due to injury but has started nine games at center. With the Giants having had multiple injuries along the line, Schmitz has unsurprisingly struggled at times. He’s been inconsistent as a run-blocker and has given up three sacks. Impressively, he hasn’t committed a penalty all season, though.

McKinney recognized for his strong performance last Sunday

Grading all 31 first-round picks after Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season | PFF

CB Deonte Banks: Overall Rookie Grade: 48.5 (Rank: 18/19) Week 12 Grade: 62.3

Banks hauled in his second interception of the season, dragging his feet near the sideline to catch a Mac Jones overthrow. In total, he allowed three catches for 29 yards, but all three were essentially screen passes caught at the line of scrimmage while Banks was in off coverage. The Giants have decreased their press coverage over the past two weeks, and Banks has responded with consecutive positive efforts.

Sebastian Maniscalco breaking down Tommy DeVito

NFL Draft order 2024 projections: Three-team race for No. 1; Bengals fall | The Athletic

It was getting a little crowded at the top for a bit there, as the Cardinals, Bears, Giants and Patriots all slumped right along with the Panthers (who, again, will be sending their first-round pick to Chicago this year). But with Monday night’s comically awful 12-10 win in Minnesota, the Bears now have taken two of three (and probably should be riding a three-game winning streak), while the Fighting Tommy DeVitos — projected to land the No. 1 pick just two weeks ago — are on a two-game run.

These draft temptations could be Giants’ quarterback Plan B | New York Post

Schoen’s plan for the Giants revolved in large part around the hope that Brian Daboll could turn Daniel Jones into a replica of Josh Allen. It is why the Giants made him their $40 Million Man.

The plan needs a Plan B.

Around the league

Dolphins to sign former Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul | ESPN.com

Eagles can clinch playoff berth this week | Pro Football Talk

Shaquille Leonard reportedly to visit Eagles this week, as interest rises in wake of Zach Cunningham injury | CBSSports.com

The Eagles sure have a lot of bulletin board material for the 49ers game | Bleeding Green Nation

Vikings to activate WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) off injured reserve | NFL.com

Aaron Rodgers: Whether I play depends on health, and if the Jets are still alive | Pro Football Talk

Jets’ coaches and GM still have job security, all because of Aaron Rodgers | The Athletic

Tyreek Hill says Dolphins are better than Chiefs team he helped lead to Super Bowl title | CBSSports.com

Panthers owner David Tepper on Bryce Young: ‘We are totally confident in that pick’ | NFL.com

Jim Irsay: Colts’ Jonathan Taylor to undergo thumb surgery with possible 2-3 week return | The Athletic

Mike Tomlin – Diontae Johnson can’t let ’emotions’ affect him | ESPN.com

Former Giant John Ross hopes to make a comeback | Pro Football Talk

Adam Schefter is expecting an NFL coach firing bloodbath | New York Post

NFL Rookies: Top 15 highest-graded players after Week 12 | PFF

2023 Thanksgiving Day games set viewership record | NFL.com

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