Super Bowl 2012: Giants Must Win Now Before Window of Opportunity Closes

The New York Giants need to win the Super Bowl right here and right now—they may not get a better chance.

For as good as they have been and as hot as they are coming into this game, remember this is the very same team that just inched into the playoffs by winning a disappointing NFC East, with the tie-breaking win over the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the year.

They almost weren't a playoff team, and the NFC is an extremely strong conference that is just getting stronger.

The Giants need to seize this opportunity while they have it, because like it or not it's going to be very hard to repeat what they are doing right now.

Somehow they made the Super Bowl in a conference that boasted a team with a 15-1 record, the two best quarterbacks in the NFL and a plethora of up-and-coming young teams.

Don't be naive enough to think they can pull that off twice in a row, and don't be dumb enough to believe that those other teams aren't going to be getting better.

Here's just a quick look at a few teams the Giants will have to be concerned with next season:

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers is easily the best quarterback in the league, and with a good draft the Packers can quickly fix up their defensive problems and running game.

With an offense that still features Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and may still have Jermichael Finley and Donald Driver depending on offseason moves—the Packers may still be the best team in the league.

New Orleans Saints

Don't think Drew Brees and the Saints are going to go away that easily. Just as with Rodgers and the Packers, the Saints will still have one of the better offenses in the league, and they have a running game to help even things out.

They will do well to focus on defense in the NFL draft, and with a few pieces there is no telling how good this team can be.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers had the best defense in the league and Alex Smith looked like a real quarterback in Jim Harbaugh's first year as head coach, so I can only imagine how much better and well-rounded this team is going to become now that Harbaugh will have them for an offseason.

Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford cemented himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league this season, and they are a threat to run the scoreboard up on any team as long as they have Calvin Johnson.

I expect the draft and another season to build will be great for this young team, and they will be forces to be reckoned with.

My Conclusion

It's a simple equation for the Giants: Win now, or forever hold your peace.

I just named a few of the teams I expect to standout next season in the NFC, and that's not even counting potential AFC opponents.

If the Giants don't win the Super Bowl now, that window is going to close real fast.