NFL Power Rankings 2020, Week 12: Chiefs claim No. 1 spot, Packers drop again

It sounds like a possible punch-line to say that the 3-7 New York Giants had to go into their bye week feeling good about themselves but that’s actually the case for Joe Judge’s team. Big Blue looked downright hapless earlier in the year but, as of late, they’ve started to show some life to potentially make a run at the division crown.

After close losses to both the Eagles and Buccaneers — games that New York easily could’ve won if not for some untimely errors or better bounces of the ball — the Giants have picked up key wins over Washington and Philadelphia since. They went into the week off with two straight wins and things looking up for this team.

While quarterback Daniel Jones is not necessarily earning the full-fledged faith of the fanbase, he’s been better recently than he was early in the year, especially with his rushing ability playing a big factor. But the big key has been the Giants defense shockingly rising to the occasion and playing a hard-nosed brand of football that has been effective.

The Giants have a tough stretch to finish the season as the Seahawks, Cardinals, Ravens and Browns are all still looming ahead. That likely means a 5-11 finish is the best-case scenario but, if they play as they have recently, the Giants may at least be competitive in some of those games, which is actually a step in the right direction.