OUT OF CONTROL: Eli Manning and the Giants need to beat the Redskins Sunday in Washington and for the Bears to beat the Packers in order to make the playoffs.
Quarterback Eli Manning says the Giants need to prepare for the Redskins as if the Bears will beat the Packers, thus giving them an opening to make the postseason.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws as he's pressured by Redskins linebacker Andre Carter (99) during the teams' meeting earlier this month at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
MANN DOWN: Eli Manning and the Giants had a hard time picking themselves off the turf after their 45-17 loss at Green Bay last week, but can restore their pride and perhaps save coach Tom Coughlin's job with a win at Washington on Sunday.
Tom Coughlin's job likely is safe if the Giants beat the Redskins yet miss the playoffs due to a Packers win. A loss to Washington, however, could force management's hand to make a change.
Giants Pro Bowl guard Chris Snee (76) thinks the Tom Coughlin firing talk is "absurd," but the reality is the Giants' recent collapse at least warrants discussion about whom deserves blame.
This fumble by Giants running back Brandon Jacobs was one of several key mistakes by players that ruined the momentum the coaches had helped build up in Sunday's loss to the Packers.
The 515 yards the Giants gave up to the Packers Sunday were the most their defense had given up in 30 years, since the San Diego Chargers ripped them for 567 on Oct. 19, 1980.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin may have a Super Bowl ring, but more often, the staple of the Coughlin Era has been watching Big Blue disintegrate down the stretch of the regular season.