November 24, 2024

Start spreading the news: Giants are legitimate playoff contenders (PHOTOS)

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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) smiles after the Giants beat the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants won, 20-12. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) smiles after the Giants beat the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants won, 20-12.

Too legit to quit.

The New York Giants are legitimate playoff contenders following their 20-12 win over the Washington Commanders Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) feels pressure from New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) on the Commanders final drive on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants made a defensive stand and won, 20-12. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) feels pressure from New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) on the Commanders final drive on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants made a defensive stand and won, 20-12.

OPEN THE GIANTS-COMMANDERS PHOTO GALLERY HERE

Head coach Brian Daboll’s team improved to 8-5-1, giving them a one-game lead over the Commanders (7-6-1) for the No. 6 seed in the NFC. The Giants have a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, each of whom is 7-7 following Week 15 in the NFL.

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) gestures after he rushed for a first down despite a big hit by New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during the fourth quarter on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants won, 20-12. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) gestures after he rushed for a first down despite a big hit by New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during the fourth quarter on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants won, 20-12.

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If the playoffs started today, all four NFC East teams would qualify, with the Philadelphia Eagles (13-1) and Dallas Cowboys (10-4) already securing their spots in the postseason.

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And that’s not all, according to Giants PR:

With three games remaining, the Giants are guaranteed to finish at .500 or better for the first time since they were 11-5 in 2016.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) catches a bomb over New York Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock (27) during the fourth quarter on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants held on to win, 20-12. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) catches a bomb over New York Giants cornerback Jason Pinnock (27) during the fourth quarter on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. The Giants held on to win, 20-12.

The Giants improved to 4-2 on the road with games still to be played in Minnesota and Philadelphia. The four road victories is their highest total since they were 4-4 in 2016.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the first half against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the first half against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md.

This was the Giants’ first NFC East victory under Brian Daboll. They are 1-3-1 in the division and will play the first-place Eagles in the season finale. The Giants won their first division road game since Nov. 8, 2020, also at Washington (23-20).

The Giants ended their 11-game losing streak in prime-time games. They had last won a night game at San Francisco (27-23) on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, and had not won a Sunday night game since Oct. 15, 2017, a 23-10 triumph in Denver. The Giants improved to 23-31-1 on Sunday night, including 12-18-1 on the road, 4-3-1 vs. Washington and 3-1-1 in Washington.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is chased out of the pocket by Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams (96) during the first half on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is chased out of the pocket by Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams (96) during the first half on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md.

MORE NFL:

– NFL Draft 2023: Eagles double down on defense; Giants, Jets add offense in latest 1st-round mock

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rocks a Sterling Shepard t-shirt during pregame warmups as the Giants prepare to play the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rocks a Sterling Shepard t-shirt during pregame warmups as the Giants prepare to play the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md.

– John Mara likes what he’s seeing from the Giants

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rocks a Sterling Shepard t-shirt during pregame warmups as the Giants prepare to play the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md. © Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) rocks a Sterling Shepard t-shirt during pregame warmups as the Giants prepare to play the Washington Commanders on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md.

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

©2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) and quarterback Daniel Jones (8) acknowledge the crows as they leave the field after the Giants beat the Washington Commanders, 20-12, on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) and quarterback Daniel Jones (8) acknowledge the crows as they leave the field after the Giants beat the Washington Commanders, 20-12, on Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Landover, Md.

© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS

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