PITTSBURGH — Those that have been round won’t assume this manner, exactly as a result of they’ve been round and understand, sadly, that it doesn’t at all times get any higher.
The right here and now for the Giants is the familiarity of extra of the identical.
They’re 2-5 after seven video games and the longest-tenured Giants gamers know the sensation all too effectively.
A staff successful solely two of its first seven video games has made the playoffs solely 15 % of the time over the previous 5 seasons — and that isn’t even entrance and middle within the minds of the Giants.
They’re making an attempt to determine learn how to go about successful one sport and making an argument for them doing so Monday evening in opposition to the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium is near an open-and-shut case on the contrary.
“The message is, why not?’’ nostril sort out Dexter Lawrence stated. “Why can’t we not streak? Why can’t we not go on a run? That’s the idea issue that the leaders and the gamers have in right here. I believe we’re shut. I believe, in instances like this, you bought to develop even nearer and that’s what we’re doing. We’re having good days at apply. We’re popping out right here competing. Having good days within the assembly and assembly further. I don’t assume it’s pulling us aside.’’
Lawrence, quarterback Daniel Jones and huge receiver Darius Slayton are all merchandise of the 2019 draft and so they have been Giants longer than another gamers within the constructing.
That is par for the course for them.
As rookies, that trio began off 2-5 and completed 4-12 with head coach Pat Shurmur.
In 2020, that trio began 1-6 and completed 6-10 with head coach Joe Choose.
In 2021, that trio began 2-5 and completed 4-13 with Choose.
In 2023, that trio began 2-5 with head coach Brian Daboll and completed 6-11.
The one change within the cloudy climate for the Giants and this group got here in 2022, when that trio began 6-1 in Daboll’s first season and ended up 9-7-1 earlier than successful one playoff sport.
And so, the slender possibilities of a staff extricating itself from an early mess shouldn’t be so sizzling a subject within the Giants locker room.
Simply final season, the Packers have been 2-5 and completed 9-8, clinching a playoff berth on the ultimate weekend.
After which, driving the event of younger quarterback Jordan Love, they thrashed the Cowboys in an NFC wild-card sport.
Somebody who got here in from that turnaround in Inexperienced Bay gives some much-needed optimistic perspective.
“I hate to attempt to evaluate the 2 issues, however final 12 months the staff I used to be on, we have been 2-5 at this level of the 12 months, as effectively, identical to we’re right here,’’ stated Giants guard Jon Runyan Jr., who was with the Packers the previous 4 years. “Each eventualities, final two seasons, it’s undoubtedly not the place you need to be. However this doesn’t imply that you just’re lifeless, the season’s over. There’s nonetheless quite a bit to play for.
“It solely takes seven to eight wins to get a playoff spot on this league. I believe we’re undoubtedly able to doing that the remainder of the best way. It simply comes again to … ensuring everyone retains the religion. We’ve got loads of actually sturdy veteran gamers, veteran presence on this locker room, so I do know that we’re going to do our greatest to maintain everyone, the youthful guys, everyone else in excessive spirits.’’
There may be little doubt spirits are usually not hovering.
Jones sounds as if he’s nonetheless smarting from being faraway from final week’s 28-3 loss to the Eagles by Daboll early within the fourth quarter, though Daboll instantly afterward said Jones stays the beginning quarterback.
Rookie receiver Malik Nabers missed two video games in concussion protocol, returned final week, caught 4 passes, stated he was open greater than that and he and Jones had a dialogue about it.
Second-year cornerback Deonte Banks was referred to as out by teammates and his place coach for a obvious lack of hustle final week when he didn’t try and get to Jalen Hurts on the sideline.
None of this appears promising for the Giants.
