NFL Predictions: 10 Scenarios in Which Giants Fail to Make the Postseason

The New York Giants have failed to get it done these last two weeks against teams that they should have beaten. If some things don't change fast, the Giants could miss the NFL playoffs altogether.

They lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 27-20, and the Philadelphia Eagles, 17-10. These were only one-score games and Eli Manning just could not come up with enough good plays to get it done.

Before the two straight losses, the Giants had a three-game win streak and a three-game lead in the NFC East. Now the lead is no more as the Dallas Cowboys and the Giants sit atop the division at 6-4 and the Eagles are now only two games back.

Eli Manning Reverts to His Old Ways

Manning had a mind-boggling 25 interception in 2010 and so far in 2011, he only has nine interceptions. If he begins to force the issue the next couple of weeks, then the Giants could be losing multiple close games down the stretch due to his turnovers..

Manning is having one his greatest NFL years in 2011 and he is the main factor in deciding if the Giants come close in making the playoffs this season.

Brandon Jacons Does Not Improve

In 2011, Brandon Jacobs only has 274 yards rushing and that does not help the Giants with Ahmad Bradshaw out with injury for a couple more weeks.

Jacobs needs to rush the ball with authority and not just have 31 yards each night like he did against the Eagles.

If he can rush an average of four or five yards per carry, then the Giants should make the playoffs. However, if he fails to do that, then there is no way the Giants make it.

Ahmad Bradshaw Comes Back Too Fast

Let's face it Giants' fans, Bradshaw is the No. 1 option at running back for the Giants and with him out the last several weeks, it has hurt the Giants offensively.

Bradshaw could be out a couple more weeks and if he tries to force himself back, then it could mean his ineffectiveness in the running game. The Giants are 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game and that number needs to go up for the Giants to make a push into the playoffs.

Vicotr Cruz Hits Rookie Wall

Victor Cruz leads the Giants with 46 catches and 800 receiving yards. There is no doubt that Manning loves to throw to Cruz, but will that change in the final six games of the 2011 season?

Cruz is in his second year in the NFL, but 2011 is his first year actually recording any catches. Cruz could hit a wall at some point as many rookies do and that will hurt the chances of the Giants making the playoffs in 2011.

Technically, it is his second year in the NFL, but he is still a rookie in my book.

Hakeem Nicks Shows Youth

Hakeem Nicks is part of the young wide receiving core for the Giants and his inexperience in the NFL could definitely hurt the Giants in the long run.

He is second on the team with 43 catches and 685 yards and Manning could target him even more down the stretch. Hopefully they can connect more in the end zone, as he only has for touchdown grabs in the 2011 season.

Pass Defense Begins to Falter

The Giants pass defense is average at best and each game there is that one big play where their opponent can take advantage. They allow only 239.1 yards each game, but sometimes they are beaten in the secondary against good quarterbacks.

For example, Tom Brady was able to pick this defense apart in the second half of the Giants 24-20 win where Manning threw a touchdown pass to Jake Ballard with just seconds remaining on the clock. Manning gave them this much-needed win when the defense couldn't hold the lead.

Rush Defense Struggles

LeSean McCoy showed that the Giants' rush defense has some holes when in the final minutes he busted out for a 60-yard run that won the game for the Eagles.

Holes like this are unacceptable in a playoff contender and if it continues, it will be a long six games for the 2011 Giants,

Giants Lose the Rest of Their 2011 Games

The Giants have a tough schedule to end the 2011 season. They face the New Orleans Saints this coming week. After that, they take on the Green Bay Packers and then the Cowboys.

They have one easy game against the Washington Redskins after the Cowboys, but then they have the New York Jets and then the Cowboys in the final game of the season.

This tough schedule could make it impossible for the Giants to make the playoffs.

Cowboys Don't Lose

The Cowboys may have to face the Giants twice and the Eagles once, but the Cowboys other three games are winnable.

Tony Romo may lead the Cowboys to a 6-0 or 5-1 record down the stretch and win the NFC East outright.

Eagles Win Other Wild Card

The Eagles face four teams with .500 records or worse. This give the Eagles the advantage to go 4-3 or possibly win all six games and finish the season 10-6.

This would put the Giants hopes for a playoff spot at bay and the Giants would have trouble clinching a playoff spot.