Giants become first NFL team to be eliminated from playoff contention

The New York Giants became the first NFL team to be eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday, as they were defeated by the Detroit Lions in overtime, 34-27. 

It was a spirited effort, as Jameis Winston threw for 366 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while also catching a touchdown from Gunner Olszewski, but New York became the first team in NFL history to lose five road games in a season after leading by double digits, and is the first team that will officially not be playing playoff football in 2025.

According to CBS Sports Research, this is the earliest the Giants have been eliminated from the playoffs since 1976. NFL tiebreaker expert Joe Ferreira also says it’s the earliest playoff elimination since the New York Jets in 2020 when Sam Darnold’s Jets started that season 0-13.

The 2025 season has been a disaster for the Giants. They have started 2-10 in consecutive years for the first time in franchise history, and already fired coach Brian Daboll. There have been some bright spots, but even those bright spots have recently dimmed. Wide receiver Malik Nabers tore his ACL in Week 4, electric rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8 and quarterback Jaxson Dart is still in concussion protocol.

Reason for optimism moving forward

So it’s already been established that the Giants are struggling right now. The defense ranked bottom four in both yards allowed per game and points allowed per game entering Week 12, in addition to allowing 5.5 yards per rush — the most by any team since the 1952 Dallas Texans. (Apparently the Dallas Texans were around for just one season and went 1-11.) 

Offensively, the Giants haven’t been a total disaster. Injuries have hampered this unit, and it’s essentially been forced to start three different quarterbacks through 12 games.

With all of that being said, the Giants’ job is still an attractive one. New York is the largest media market in the world and full of passionate fans. The Giants have a prospective franchise quarterback in Dart, who has been the best rookie quarterback this season, a talented running back in Skattebo and a wide receiver who could be a top-10 player at his position with Nabers. New York also has pieces on defense, such as an elite pass-rusher prospect in Abdul Carter, plus Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Now, it just comes down to getting the right coaching staff in the building.