The possible paths to the playoffs
Eli Manning stood in front of his teammates and reminded them that they are still in control of whether or not they make the playoffs. Credit: Getty Images
I know you'll have plenty of questions about this in our live chat at 12:30, so I figured I would cut ahead of the line and present what I know before we shart the event.
Here are the ways the Giants can get into the playoffs, as close as I can figure:
1. Win in Green Bay on Sunday. The simplest, most direct route. Win and they’re in. Then we worry about seedings and opponents the following week.
2. If they lose to the Packers, they need help. They’ll have to beat the Redskins in Week 17 AND …
a. Have the Bears beat the Packers in Week 17 or ...
b. Have the Bucs finish their season with wins over the Seahawks and the Saints AND have the Saints lose to the Falcons on Monday night.
The Giants can still get the No. 5 seed even if they lose to the Packers. For that to happen they’d have to beat the Redskins, and have both A and B above take place.
If the Giants lose both of their final games, they are out of the playoffs.
