Eli Manning isn’t around this time to emerge from the shadows and save the Giants from making dubious history.
For the second time in the last six seasons, the Giants have tied the record for the longest losing streak in the history of the centennial franchise.
It will take a victory as nine-point underdogs Sunday against the Falcons in Atlanta to avoid the 10th straight loss that would eclipse the mark of futility held by the 1976 and 2019 teams (and matched over two seasons in 2003-04).
Maybe that can serve as a rallying cry as the Giants look for anything that can be used as an advantage.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll when the New York Giants practiced Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ.Robert Sabo for NY Post
“I definitely don’t think anybody would want their name attached to that,” receiver Wan’Dale Robinson told The Post. “I don’t think that [streak] necessarily needs to come up. Guys know what we are out there playing for. But if guys see it on social media or something, then it becomes a little extra chip on your shoulder like, ‘Hey, I’m not going to let that happen.’ ”
The last time the Giants were in this spot was Dec. 15, 2019, when they beat the Dolphins in a game better remembered as Manning’s emotional farewell.
Reduced to serving as then-rookie Daniel Jones’ backup for most of his final season, the two-time Super Bowl MVP beat counterpart Ryan Fitzpatrick in place of an injured Jones to raise his career record back to .500 (118-118).
Just as the first seven of those losses were on Jones’ ledger in 2019, the first five are in 2024.
Head coach Brian Daboll has played three quarterbacks in the four games since Jones was cut — Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle — and none have impersonated Manning, which means the defense, special teams or the injection of something fluky might be the only ticket to salvation.
Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito and Drew lock haven’t quite been Eli Manning-esque.Getty Images
“I’m not looking at the 10 losses in a row, as hard as it is to say,” tight end Daniel Bellinger said. “Obviously, we don’t want to be one of those teams. But our pride is the same every week no matter what the record is. We want to win this week. Right now.”
The anatomy of the nine-game skid spans 73 days and two continents, and includes a minus-105 point differential, a negative-6 turnover differential, nine players added to injured reserve and others who still could be shut down, 12 players on the current 53-man roster who were not part of the Giants’ last victory and two planes flying over the stadium demanding big changes from ownership.
“We need a win, bottom line,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. “Find whatever we have to do to win a game, regardless of the circumstances. That’s the message: ‘Let’s take advantage of every minute we can right now to prepare and put our best foot forward come Sunday.’ ”
The longest losing streak in NFL history belongs to the expansion Buccaneers (26) in 1976-77 and was challenged by the longest of the 21st century (the Jaguars lost 20 straight in 2020-21).
Remarkably, it is not the longest active streak in the league because the Raiders are losers of 10 straight — and yet still slightly favored Sunday to beat the Jaguars.
Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen speaking to the media before practice at the New York Giants training facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I don’t know if that’s our motivation because we don’t think of it that way,” linebacker Micah McFadden said. “Obviously, we don’t want to lose 10 straight, but we’re focused on getting one win for the sake of the team, for the sake of the guys who have an opportunity out there playing because other guys are out, for the sake of the morale of the people in the building.”
A first 10-game losing streak in 100 years for the Giants is the first of what could become two ultimate indignities for Daboll’s bunch.
The second would be next week if the Giants lose to the Colts to go winless at home for the second time ever (1974) and become the NFL’s first team to go 0-9 at home in the 17-game schedule era (four seasons).
“We’re doing everything we can,” Daboll said, “to try to get a win.”
