New York Giants still favourites to win NFC East – NFL News
After 12 weeks of the 2012 National Football League (NFL) season, the performance of the defending Super Bowl champions New York Giants has not been exceptional, but they have done well to maintain their lead in National Football Conference (NFC) East and
it seems that they are going to retain the lead at the end of the season.
Giants’ chances of qualifying for the playoffs are better than any other team in the division. Philadelphia Eagles have been a disappointing factor this season and fans of other teams have also blamed the Eagles for their slumping performance that somewhat
decreased the level of competition in the division.
Before the start of the season, NFC East had been rated among the most competitive divisions, but Eagles’ slump changed that perception.
Although Giants are not guaranteed a playoff berth despite Eagles’ slump, Philadelphia’s heroics could have given tough time to every team.
At present, Giants face competition from Dallas Cowboys and rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III-led Washington Redskins. Both teams are present behind the Giants in the division at 5-6, while the defending champions are enjoying the top slot at 7-4.
Giants have two more division games to play in the regular season. They will face Redskins next week and take on Eagles in Week 17. If Giants manage to win these two division games their playoff chances will be amplified.
Redskins, on the other hand, will try their best to defeat the Giants. However, they are in a somewhat difficult situation. They have three more games to play against divisional opponents and they must win all of them in order to have a playoff opportunity,
either through leading the division or via a wildcard entry.
They have already defeated Eagles and Cowboys once this season, but late surges are not rare in the league and both Dallas and Philadelphia have the capability to surprise their opponents.
As far as Cowboys are concerned, they have two more division games, while they are scheduled to face tough teams like Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints as well.
The Cowboys and Redskins have the same recipe to follow, but Giants being two games ahead of both of them can still secure a playoff berth rather easily if they win their divisional games.
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