Giants' Saquon Barkley on Playoff Hopes: 'You Don't Want to Leave It to Chance'
Dec 30, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants looks onward during pregame against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The New York Giants could clinch their first postseason berth since 2016 with a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and they understand the urgency of the situation.
"Yeah, you don't want to leave it to chance," running back Saquon Barkley said Thursday, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "The way you do that is by doing what you've got to do this week. That is really it."
Entering this season, the Giants were pegged as one of the teams projected to finish near the bottom of the league. New York has shocked the masses with an impressive 2022 campaign under first-year head coach Brian Daboll, as the team enters Week 17 with a record of 8-6-1.
However, the Giants have struggled down the stretch, going 1-4-1 over their last six games. They're coming off a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week on a last-second field goal.
Per Raanan, New York is a 5.5-point favorite against the Colts, who have been eliminated from playoff contention with a 4-10-1 record. Much of the Giants roster has never experienced the postseason, including Barkley.
"Obviously, the first four years it didn't happen. Now there is a chance; it's a possibility," Barkley said. "It's a beautiful thing when looking at all the ups and downs, whether it's in my personal career or as an organization what we've been through the last couple years. It will be special. We have a chance to do it."
If the Giants fail to punch their ticket to the postseason this week, they will face the daunting task of defeating the NFL-leading Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) in the regular-season finale. New York would obviously prefer to secure its spot in the playoffs by taking down Indianapolis.
"I think everybody knows what [is at stake]," Daboll said. "But what we can control is, again, the same stuff we try to control each week—making sure we're prepared, ready to go, and go out there and put our best foot forward."
Giants Mocked by NFL Twitter for Failing to Clinch Playoff Berth in Loss to Vikings
Dec 24, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants warms up against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The New York Giants squandered the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot on Christmas Eve, falling to the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 at U.S. Bank Stadium to drop to 8-6-1 on the season.
The Giants had numerous opportunities to win Saturday's game, but a combination of drops and questionable decisions led to a disappointing afternoon for New York.
Quarterback Daniel Jones completed 30-of-42 passes for 334 yards and one touchdown in the loss, but an interception and a blocked punt in the fourth quarter ultimately cost them the game.
While the Giants went on to tie the game at 24 late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings won on a 61-yard field goal.
Following the loss, NFL Twitter mocked the Giants for failing to secure a playoff berth:
That was the most painful loss of the year for me. @Giants damn.
I remember this chick said at the beginning of the season that the Giants should’ve tanked and everyone was pissed. What have they accomplished? You played all these nail bitters and close wins to barely miss the playoffs and not get the number one pick
Earlier this season, fans were confident that the Giants would make the playoffs, but now the team's postseason hopes remain uncertain in a tight NFC race that has several teams on the bubble.
The Giants haven't made the postseason since 2016. If they make it this campaign, they could end up seeing the Vikings again.
The New York Giants reside in the best position possible of the four teams vying for the final two NFC wild-card spots. New York's Week 15 win over the...
New York Giants Have Far More to Play for Than Postseason over Final Three Games
Dec 19, 2022
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 18: New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) hands the ball to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the New York Giants game versus the Washington Commanders on December 18, 2022, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
A collective sigh emanated from the New York Giants organization and its fanbase after escaping Sunday Night Football with a dubious 20-12 victory over the rival Washington Commanders.
Aside from Washington committing a massive mental error with an illegal formation on what could have been the game-tying touchdown run with 1:03 left to play and an obvious defensive pass interference call missed in the end zone, New York can't be upset with the outcome itself.
However, the short-term relief doesn't provide long-term clarity. The opposite seems to be the case since the 8-5-1 Giants appear to be well on their way to a postseason appearance as the NFC's current sixth seed. Yet the team played poorly throughout the contest, particularly on offense, where major offseason decisions loom.
What becomes of quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley could ultimately be decided over the next three (or more) contests.
Giving credit where it's due, first-year head coach Brian Daboll has his team performing well above expectations. Big Blue posted one winning campaign over the last 10 seasons. That effort occurred seven years ago.
With one win during their final three contests, Daboll and Co. will be on the right side of the ledger, and the Giants' new leader will be in the conversation for NFL Coach of the Year.
Support for Daboll's candidacy primarily involves getting as much as he possibly can from a clearly limited offense. Against Washington, New York's offense—which ranks among the bottom half of the league in both total offense and scoring—managed 288 yards and only one touchdown.
Both Jones and Barkley are previous top-10 selections in contract years. New York's front office already chose not to pick up its quarterback's fifth-year rookie option.
Despite the relatively sluggish start to Jones' career and Barkley's extensive injury history, the idea of keeping them both for at least one more season seemed prudent. However, the path next year seems murkier today than it did during the first half of the season.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll
Initially, Jones' play seemed primed for the franchise tag. The 2019 sixth-overall selection performed more efficiently and cut down on turnovers, and Daboll allowed him to be a bigger part of the ground game. It worked...for a time.
During New York's current 1-3-1 streak, Jones' effectiveness has diminished. Despite Sunday's victory, Washington's aggressive front forced the Giants' quarterback to get the ball out quickly to avoid getting pressured into mistakes. To be fair, New York did enough on offense to ultimately win. Yet 195 total yards from the game's most important position isn't going to be good enough in many cases.
Jones is a middling quarterback. Coming into New York's latest outing, the fourth-year signal-caller ranked 16th in quarterback rating (91.6), 14th in QBR (55.6), 23rd in average yards per attempt (6.8) and tied for 23rd with 12 passing touchdowns. None of those numbers improved with his latest effort.
The organization must start asking itself whether Jones is their guy for at least one more year or if he's holding back the entire offense. So much can be schemed to help him, and Daboll's staff is doing an excellent job in doing so. But the Giants expected a quarterback who could eventually develop into someone to carry the offense.
Jones isn't, nor has he been at any point in his career to date. A strong finish to this season during a postseason push could go a long way toward helping with the team's decision.
"My mindset's been the same the whole way. I don't think it doesn't change now just because we're later in the season," Jones told reporters last week. "I'm going to focus on playing as well as I can and when the season is over. I'll look back and have a more complete thought about that. I'm just trying to play as well as I can."
New York Giants wide receiver Richie James makes a catch against the Washington Commanders.
Certainly, better wide receiver play could be beneficial. The Giants are basically devoid of talent outside the numbers. Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins led the way Sunday with a combined eight catches for 79 yards. Even so, it's another excuse to serve as a crutch for a player who hasn't definitively staked his claim as the guy to lead the franchise.
The Giants should consider drafting a raw but gifted quarterback option like Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson in next year's first round to develop like Daboll once did with Josh Allen in Buffalo. Barkley can remain the workhorse in 2023 while the franchise adds more at wide receiver as well.
Right now, the offense belongs to Barkley as its focal point. However, even he's had his struggles. The NFL's fourth-leading rusher hasn't been as effective as of late. Prior to Sunday's 87-yard outburst, Barkley posted rushing totals of 28, 63, 39 and 22 during the previous four contests.
Opposing defenses bottled him up, though he helped salt away New York's latest victory with runs of 12, 15, and 14 to start the Giants' final scoring drive that extended the lead to eight points.
Those moments show exactly where the coaching staff believes the ball should be when the game is on the line. In fact, Barkley ran the ball six times compared to one pass for Jones during the critical drive.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley runs through the Washington Commanders defense for a touchdown.
But the fact the fifth-year back hasn't been as effective as of late should create some pause when automatically handing out a contract extension. If anything, the franchise tag may be a far more prudent avenue. For comparison, the franchise tag on a running back is $20.1 million cheaper than placing the designation on a quarterback.
When approached about the subject earlier this season, Barkley and the team didn't seem to be close on a specific number.
"We got into a little bit of conversation," Barkley said in November before the two sides tabled talks. "At the end of the day, I put that in the past. That was the bye week. Obviously, we weren't able to come to an agreement during the bye week, and my mindset is just focus on the rest of the season. Next week going against Detroit and knowing when that opportunity comes up again, focus on it then."
Coincidentally, the back's downturn in production began a week after those comments.
Two years from now, the offense can be built fully in Daboll's image potentially without Jones or Barkley on the roster.
Daboll and new general manager Joe Schoen have done the best possible job they could do with the roster they inherited. They should find out over the next few weeks whether the current construction is capable of becoming a consistent competitor or worthy of deconstruction. The most likely path forward is one of a slight teardown and a quick rebuild after paying for the sins of general managers past.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.
Twitter Hypes Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux for Dominant Showing in Win over Commanders
Dec 19, 2022
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 18: New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) teammates celebrate with him after he scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown during the New York Giants game versus the Washington Commanders on December 18, 2022, at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The New York Giants have the inside track on a playoff spot thanks in large part to their rookie defensive end.
Despite an inconsistent offensive performance, the New York Giants escaped Sunday's NFC East showdown with a 20-12 victory over the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field. The teams tied two weeks ago and had identical 7-5-1 records entering the game, but the Giants moved ahead with a critical head-to-head win.
While Saquon Barkley is often the headliner for New York and scored a touchdown, it was defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux who stole the show. He finished with 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and, most importantly, a defensive touchdown.
The Oregon product received plenty of love on social media:
KAYVON THIBODEAUX RECOVERS HIS OWN STRIP SACK FOR GIANTS TD 🤯
2022 5th-overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux is the first @Giants rookie with a fumble recovery TD & 1+ sack in a game since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
The last rookie to do so was Washington’s Chase Young in Week 14 of his 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year season.
New York seized control and built a 14-3 lead in a first half that included an 18-play, 97-yard drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock and featured a 4th-and-9 conversion and a direct snap to Barkley for a touchdown run.
Yet it was still Thibodeaux who made the big play with a strip-sack before he recovered the fumble he forced and returned it for a touchdown. He was in takeover mode even beyond the highlight play, creating constant pressure and standing out against the running game.
All the pressure was on the Giants defense when their offense went stagnant in the second half with just two field goals, but the unit answered the call. Thibodeaux didn't replicate his statistical dominance of the first half, but he still drew double teams, opened up blitzing lanes for his teammates and sped up Taylor Heinicke's internal clock.
Naturally, he was the one making the tackle at the 1-yard line on Washington's final drive that stalled in a goal-to-go situation in the final minute.
Now Thibodeaux and the rest of the Giants will turn their attention to a Christmas Eve matchup and potential playoff preview against the Minnesota Vikings.
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NFL Playoff Scenarios 2022-23 Week 15: Standings and Matchups to Watch
Dec 13, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scrambling and running for a touchdown during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Get ready for a four-week sprint.
The byes are officially in the rearview mirror, the contenders have started to separate themselves, and there are only four games remaining for teams to make one final postseason push.
With that in mind, here is a look at the updated NFL standings and tiebreaker scenarios following the New England Patriots' win over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football.
AFC
1. Buffalo Bills, 10-3 (tiebreaker over KC because of head-to-head)
2. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-3
3. Baltimore Ravens, 9-4 (tiebreaker over CIN because of head-to-head)
4. Tennessee Titans, 7-6
5. Cincinnati Bengals, 9-4
6. Miami Dolphins, 8-5
7. New England Patriots, 7-6 (tiebreaker over LAC because of AFC win percentage and NYJ because of head-to-head)
8. Los Angeles Chargers, 7-6 (tiebreaker over NYJ because of AFC win percentage)
9. New York Jets, 7-6
10. Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-8 (tiebreaker over LV and CLE because of AFC win percentage)
11. Las Vegas Raiders, 5-8 (tiebreaker over CLE because of AFC win percentage)
12. Cleveland Browns, 5-8 (tiebreaker over PIT because of head-to-head)
13. Pittsburgh Steelers, 5-8
14. Indianapolis Colts, 4-8-1
15. Denver Broncos, 3-10
16. Houston Texans, 1-11-1
NFC
1. Philadelphia Eagles, 12-1
2. Minnesota Vikings, 10-3
3. San Francisco 49ers, 9-4
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6-7
5. Dallas Cowboys, 10-3
6. Washington Commanders, 7-5-1 (tiebreaker over NYG because of win percentage against NFC East)
7. New York Giants, 7-5-1
8. Seattle Seahawks, 7-6
9. Detroit Lions, 6-7
10. Green Bay Packers, 5-8 (tiebreaker over CAR because of strength of victory)
11. Carolina Panthers, 5-8 (tiebreaker over ATL because of win percentage against NFC South)
12. Atlanta Falcons, 5-8
13. Arizona Cardinals, 4-9 (tiebreaker over NO because of head-to-head and LAR because of win percentage in common games)
14. New Orleans Saints, 4-9 (tiebreaker over LAR because of head-to-head)
15. Los Angeles Rams, 4-9
16. Chicago Bears, 3-10
Fans won't have to wait long for one of the games to watch in Week 15.
The San Francisco 49ers hit the road to face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night in a critical NFC West showdown for both sides. San Francisco continues to fend off injuries and remain in the Super Bowl picture, while Seattle is just outside of a wild-card spot and in need of a bounce-back win.
While quarterbacks Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo are both sidelined with long-term injuries, Brock Purdy is the man of the hour after guiding the 49ers to victories over the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The rookie has completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 461 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions this year and is doing an ideal job of simply getting the ball into the playmakers' hands and letting them work.
One of those weapons will likely be out after Deebo Samuel suffered an ankle injury against Tampa Bay, but Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle will look to stretch the visitors' winning streak to seven and hand Seattle a fourth loss in the last five games.
This is close to a must-win for those Seahawks considering they are at the Kansas City Chiefs the following game and now looking up at the New York Giants and Washington Commanders. They also have a chance to gain some ground on those teams since they are playing each other in a key Week 15 rematch.
New York and Washington tied in Week 13 but are headed in opposite directions.
The Giants are an ugly 1-4-1 in their last five games after a 6-1 start, while the Commanders are 6-1-1 in their last seven after a 1-4 start. If Washington can keep that momentum rolling at home, it will have the key head-to-head tiebreaker over its division rival and the inside track on a playoff spot.
Elsewhere, the Dolphins' playoff spot is somewhat more precarious following a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
They are just one game ahead of the Chargers, New York Jets and New England Patriots in a race for the two wild-card spots behind the Cincinnati Bengals and have the unenviable task of facing Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 15.
Miami already defeated the Bills in Week 3, but this time could be quite different in potentially snowy conditions against a Super Bowl contender that has won four in a row.
Another loss could have a Miami team with championship hopes of its own fighting for a final postseason spot after such a promising start to the campaign.
Odell Beckham Jr.'s Top Landing Spots After T.Y. Hilton's Cowboys Contract
Dec 12, 2022
NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. watches action during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The ongoing courtship between the Dallas Cowboys and free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. appears to have reached its end, as the Cowboys are reportedly bringing in a veteran pass-catcher.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater reported that Dallas reached an agreement with receiver T.Y. Hilton on Monday. The 33-year-old had played 10 years with the Indianapolis Colts and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
The addition of Hilton gives the Cowboys the extra offensive weapon they need as the playoffs approach. But where does that leave Beckham?
Here are the top remaining landing spots for the 30-year-old now that Dallas is likely no longer in the running.
Buffalo Bills
Beckham undoubtedly wants to join a contender to win another championship as he did with the Los Angeles Rams last season in Super Bowl LVI. He should look no further than the top team in the AFC.
The Buffalo Bills remained in the No. 1 spot after Sunday's gritty win over the New York Jets. At 10-3, Buffalo is one of the favorites to compete for a Super Bowl title this year, but the team could still use another target for star quarterback Josh Allen.
The Bills have one of the best receivers in the league in Stefon Diggs, who leads the team with 94 receptions, 1,239 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, no other player on the team has 40 catches. Allen's over-reliance on Diggs can come back to haunt Buffalo if teams focus their defense on him.
Adding Beckham to the mix would help take some attention off Diggs. For what it's worth, last month Beckham named the Bills as one of four teams he'd be interested in joining after he completed his recovery from a torn ACL.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL, earning their sixth straight victory on Sunday with a blowout over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, star receiver Deebo Samuel went down with an ankle injury during the game, putting his status in question for the next few weeks.
Beckham could be the perfect option to fill in for Samuel if he misses extended time. If both are able to be on the field together, it would add a different dimension to an already dynamic 49ers offense.
San Francisco lost veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for at least the remainder of the regular season because of a broken foot. Rookie signal-caller Brock Purdy proved he can steer the ship in the interim with a three-touchdown performance (two passing, one rushing) against the Bucs.
The 49ers could look to add Beckham as another reliable target for the seventh-round pick as they charge toward the postseason.
Kansas City Chiefs
After losing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have had to adjust on offense. However, perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes still has the Chiefs on the cusp of a seventh straight AFC West title.
While Mahomes has been able to make up for Kansas City's deficiencies throughout the regular season, cracks have begun to show. In Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos, he threw three touchdown passes but also had a season-high three interceptions.
The Chiefs had been hoping free-agent additions JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling would be able to make up for the absence of Hill. They've combined to reach the end zone just four times through 13 games. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce remains the top target in Kansas City's passing attack.
Beckham would provide Mahomes with another option in the explosive Chiefs offense. He could also open things up for Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling. The three-time Pro Bowler would likely have a ton of fun playing in Andy Reid's scheme.
New York Giants
It's never too late to come home. In Beckham's case, a reunion with the team he started his NFL career with would come at a perfect time.
At 7-5-1, the New York Giants are clinging to the seventh seed in the NFC and could surely use a boost as the regular season winds down. New York is 0-3-1 in its last four games and has dealt with injuries to multiple receivers throughout the year.
Darius Slayton leads the Giants with 608 receiving yards, while Richie James leads the team's wide receivers with 38 receptions and three touchdowns. Quarterback Daniel Jones ranks near the bottom of the league with 194.9 passing yards per game. Clearly, New York's air attack could use an injection of energy.
Beckham has appeared to be open to rejoining the Giants, and he had a "good dinner" with head coach Brian Daboll earlier this month. A return to New York would give him the opportunity to be a key contributor to the team's push for the playoffs.
