Giants vs. Saints: Humiliating Loss Proves G-Men Aren't Playoff Bound

The (6-5) New York Giants may be one game behind the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East and knocking on the door in the NFC Wild Card hunt, but their embarrassing 49-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football proves that the Giants aren't playoff bound.

Ahmad Bradshaw was out and their receivers have been banged up, but when Victor Cruz can generate 157 yards and two touchdowns and the Giants still can't find a way to even come close to winning, there's a problem.

The Giants' glaring defensive issues were exposed last night. They rank 28th in total defense, allowing 381.6 YPG. Though Drew Brees and the Saints are highly talented, there is no excuse for allowing any team to torch them for 49 points.

When they took down Tom Brady's then undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, they shut down the Pats' explosive offense, only allowing 14 points.

The New York Giants can't succeed when their defense nears the bottom of the league. That just isn't how they are built and they can't hope to succeed giving up over 25 PPG.

Take a look at the NFC playoff picture.

Seed	Team	Win	Loss
1	Green Bay Packers	11	0
2	San Francisco 49ers	9	2
3	New Orleans Saints	8	3
4	Dallas Cowboys	7	4
5	*Chicago Bears	7	4
6	*Atlanta Falcons	7	4
7	Detroit Lions	7	4
8	New York Giants	6	5
9	Philadelphia Eagles	4	7

*Denotes Wild Card Leaders

The Falcons have won five of their last six games, losing to only the Saints in overtime during that span. They might not win the NFC South, but they're the biggest lock for a wild-card spot in the NFC.

The Chicago Bears have to deal with losing Jay Cutler, which could easily drop them out of the wild-card race.

That doesn't mean the Giants are going to grab hold of that spot should it become vacant.

The Giants have dropped three straight and now have to take on the undefeated Green Bay Packers. Their schedule to close out the season isn't doing them any favors either, as they take on the Dallas Cowboys twice and the Jets on the road.

They get a break against the Redskins, but let's not forget that Washington handed the Giants a loss on opening day.

The Monday Night massacre proved that the Giants aren't capable of getting the better of the brutal opponents remaining on their schedule.

They're going to miss the postseason again this year and this time, they can't blame it on their punter.