Why Saquon Barkley Isn't Giving Up on a Giants Postseason Berth
The chances of the New York Giants (4-8) earning a postseason berth are around 0.1 percent, but as far as running back Saquon Barkley is concerned, that the team is still mathematically alive is all the motivation needed to keep on going.
“We’re in this, to be honest,” Barkley said. “I’m going to keep it real. We’re not looking too far, or in the hunt, or at playoff pictures. But if we take care of what we need to take care of — everyone can say what they want about the season — it’s Week [14], and everything we want is still there. We don’t need any extra motivation.”
No, the Giants don't need any extra motivation, but what they would certainly welcome is a magic elixir to restore some of their injured players like kicker Graham Gano, quarterback Daniel Jones, offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal, and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to full health.
Injuries to the team have exposed some of the depth problems and have sometimes made it hard for the Giants to compete. But the hope is that New York, winners of their last two before their Week 13 bye, can keep the train rolling Monday night against a Green Bay Packers (6-6) team fighting for its own spot in the postseason tournament.
The Giants will look to do so with Tommy DeVito, the quarterback of those last two team victories, leading the way over veteran Tyrod Taylor, who is expected to be activated off injured reserve before Monday's game.
"Whether they went with Tommy or went with Tyrod, we’re just trying to keep the main thing," Barkley said. "We’ve got confidence in both of them, and they made the decision to go with Tommy. Now, our focus is on Green Bay."
If the oddsmakers are to be believed, the Giants have virtually no chance of topping the Packers, who are favored by 6.5 points. Not that the Giants have given the odds makers many reasons to favor them this season, especially when it comes to prime-time games, where the Giants have been outscored 108-24 in their four prime-time games (Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, and Buffalo) this season.
What's done is done, however, as the Giants are focusing on what's right in front of them, and that goal is to finish the 2023 season strong.
"No more excuses," Barkley said. "Tommy DeVito is not a rookie quarterback anymore. He's going into his fourth start. Injuries--we've got guys getting healthier. Everything we want is there.
"Last year, we were a team that could find a way to make it into the playoffs, and that’s still our goal. Every team’s goal at the beginning of the season is to make it to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl, and statistically and mathematically, we’re still in it."
"I know it sounds like we talk all the time, and I’m just beating a dead horse when I'm saying it, but I truly believe that. I'm one of those guys that if I'm in a fight and I got my butt kicked for 11 rounds, the 12th round, in my head, if I still compete, if I could knock you out and get the win, then that’s how it's going to happen. So, I kept saying, until we're completely out of this thing, I still believe."
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