Why New York Giants Defense, Not Eli Manning, Will Keep Team out of Playoffs

Eli Manning is having the best of his eight seasons in 2011, yet the New York Giants are in serious trouble of missing the playoffs after jumping out to an NFC East-leading 6-2 record.

It took a blowout loss on Monday Night Football to the New Orleans Saints, in which the Giants' defense surrendered 577 yards, for defensive coordinator Perry Fewell to call out the lackluster play of his defense.

Fewell reportedly ripped into his defense following the loss, and has vowed that the New York defense will get after Aaron Rodgers this weekend when the Giants host the Green Bay Packers. 

For one of the first times in his career, Manning's play is not in question. No one is blaming him for the three-game losing streak or for losing hold of first place in the NFC East to rival Dallas.

They're blaming the defense, and rightly so.

Manning has compelled the Giants to five fourth quarter victories, while the defense has yet to really make a mark on a game this season.

Eli Manning's Stats

253-for-402 (62.9 percent), 3,358 yards, 20 TD, 10 INT, 95.5 rating

New York Giants Defensive Stats

4,198 yards (No. 28), 381.6 YPG (No. 28), 251.2 passing yards/game (No. 26), 130.5 rushing yards/game (No. 24), 25.2 PPG (No. 27), 31 sacks (No. 7), 14 INT (No. T-9), +7 give/takeaway margin

While the D ranks in the top portion of the league in terms of sacks and interceptions, they fall to the bottom in almost every other statistical category.

Defensive captain Justin Tuck has been plagued by neck issues all season, playing in only seven games and recording just two sacks.

Osi Umenyiora has also missed some time and is reported to miss at least the next two weeks, but is credited with seven sacks in eight games.

Sophomore Jason Pierre-Paul has been the only bright spot to an otherwise drab defense. JPP ranks tied for fourth in the NFL with 10.5 sacks, which leads New York.

As for the secondary, Aaron Ross and Corey Webster each have four interceptions, and only three combined have come in games in which the Giants lost.  

Defensive tackles Chris Canty and Linval Joseph have been weak this season, combining for a mere three sacks and zero forced fumbles.

Mathias Kiwanuka, who has split time between linebacker and defensive line, has played well against the run, recording a career-best 63 tackles already, but is a weak cover linebacker.

While the Giants' playoff hopes aren't quite dead yet, they're diminishing very quickly. The G-Men still have two games remaining against Dallas, who currently leads the division at 7-4. It's an uphill battle for the Giants, whose last five opponent's combined records are 35-20, compared to Dallas' 24-32.

In the end, if New York does fail to make the playoffs, the blame will fall on the shoulders' of the defense. Without the play of Manning, the Giants could be looking at a 1-10 record. It's time for the defense to step up, and regain their reputation as one of the most-feared defenses in the NFL.