Giants have a meltdown in Baltimore, Cowboys’ NFC East hopes alive again

The Cowboys' sorrow on Sunday didn't last too long, because the Giants had a loss that was just as disappointing and nowhere near as competitive.

New York put up an absolute stink-bomb in Baltimore, losing 33-14 at Baltimore. So even though Dallas lost in overtime on Sunday, the winner of Cowboys-Redskins next week will be NFC East champs. The Giants need to win against Philadelphia next week and get help to make the playoffs as a wild-card team.

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If the Giants are pulling their annual act of convincing everyone they are totally out of it only to re-emerge and win the Super Bowl, they're really, really pushing the envelope this season.

New York has had some really bad performances this season, and Sunday ranks among the worst. Against a Ravens defense that has been ravaged by injuries and was torched by the Broncos and Peyton Manning last week, New York couldn't protect Eli Manning and in turn he couldn't get the ball to his receivers. Hakeem Nicks didn't have a catch and Victor Cruz had three for 21 yards. The game was never really competitive.

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This was the Giants' second straight egg, after being shut out at Atlanta last week. New York has been outscored 67-14 the past two games. Manning has struggled late in the season, and the defense hasn't been very good either, especially in the secondary. Even the normally reliable pass rush hasn't been a big factor lately.

New York would need a miracle to get in the playoffs at this point, but, it's probably not wise to count that out just yet.

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