New York Giants

NFL Power Rankings bring mixed bag for New York Giants

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Let’s be clear on one thing. The New York Football Giants (4-3) did not play last week, right? Well, that may be the case, but it still has not stopped them from dropping in the latest edition of the NFL Power Rankings. According to NFL.com, the New England Patriots (7-1) are still the king of the hill this week. But NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys (6-1), jumped up to the number 2 position behind an overtime win against the Philadelphia Eagles. So, where do the G-Men rank? You’ll have to read further to find out:

Present NFL Power Rankings

The Cowboys are leading the way in the NFC East with the second ranking, but the other NFC East teams are within striking distance. The division remains the only one where all of the teams are above .500 in the NFL standings. As far as the NFL Power Rankings go, this then becomes a mixed bag for Big Blue.

This week, New York tumbled one spot, even though it was the team’s bye week. The Giants currently sit at number 17 in the league, just behind the Washington Redskins. The ‘Skins had a 27-27 tie with the Cincinnati Bengals in London. But they also defeated the Giants 29-27 on Sept. 25th.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) fumbles the ball as New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) defends during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants opponent this week, the Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) are ranked eighth. This ranking gushes about their almost win in Dallas. “While there was nothing fluky about the loss, the Eagles definitely showed they will be contending for the NFC East.”

Woulda, shoulda, coulda. If the Giants lose the same game, and they have in previous years, what do you think the story becomes? The Giants blow one to the ‘Boys! From a neutral perspective, how are the Eagles ahead of the Oakland Raiders?

Future NFL Power Rankings

If the Giants want to make some noise, they had better start in November. Big Blue plays Philadelphia at home, followed by two more home games (Cincinnati, Chicago)! The team then goes on the road to face the hapless Cleveland Browns (0-8). You would think that Big Blue can run the November table, but they have to go 3-1 this month.

NFL.com does indicate that the Giants may be lurking around the NFC East. “With all the discussion about the bad offense early, the defense not living up to the collective salary-cap hit of all those offseason signings and Odell Beckham Jr.’s slow start … does anyone realize New York is 4-3?”

Heading into December’s home stretch with a 7-4 record might be a necessity. New York out at Pittsburgh, home to the Cowboys and Detroit. The game against the Lions is the last home game for 2016, as the G-Men close out at Philadelphia and Washington.

It might be the start of something good, as five of the seven media outlets surveyed on Giants.com on Nov. 4, 2016, picked the G-Men to beat the Birds.