Make no mistake about it, this is a playoff game Sunday night for the Giants and Commanders.
Whoever wins this game between the Giants and Commanders see’s their playoff chances go into the 80th percentile. Whoever loses, see’s their playoff chances shrink to a very small percent. These 2 teams obviously met 2 weeks ago and played to a tie. Now, the Giants travel to Washington to try and keep their season alive and get to the playoffs for the first time in 6 years. To get ready for this one, let’s take a look back on the Giants and Commanders meeting back in the final week of the 2006 season.
Similar to this one, the Giants were basically in a win and you’re in situation. The Giants were reeling, having lost 6 of their last 7, and needed this win to get to 8-8 and claim the final spot in the NFC Playoffs. In order to assure this happened, the Giants leaned on their star running back, Tiki Barber, who was playing in his final season. Barber quite literally put the team on his back. Barber rushed for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns in this game. The Giants had built a 27-7 lead by the 3rd quarter, but Washington did not go away easily. Washington would score 2 touchdowns to bring the lead to 27-21. That is when Barber would score his 3rd touchdown, ripping a 50 yard touchdown run to give the Giants a 2 score lead. Again, Washington would score off a Jason Campbell touchdown pass to fullback Mike Sellers. The Giant defense would step up when it mattered stopping a 4th down attempt in the final 2 minutes of the game, and the Giants would win 34-28 and get into the playoffs.
There are many similarities between the Giants and Commanders game Sunday, and the one that took place back in 2006. It’s not quite win and you’re in, but it would give the Giants a great chance of a playoff berth should they win this game. It would also help if Saquon Barkley had a game like Tiki Barber did 16 years ago.
If you can’t beat the Washington Commanders Sunday, then it’s soley on the Giants shoulders should they miss the playoffs. Do like you did in 2006, and take care of business.
Highlights to this classic:
Photo: (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
