Unlike last week, where Giants started well before declining, Giants began poorly, and got worse.

Giants seemed prepared to lose on opening kickoff, when coaches advised Lawrence Tynes to kick ball away from rookie kick returner Percy Harvin, who had a 101 yard return against 49ers, and 88 yarder against Steelers.

Vikings started at their own 40. On opening play, Mathias Kiwanuka was penalized for neutral zone infraction, setting tone for Giants, who had more penalties than first downs. Has that ever happened?

Brett Favre hit Visanthe Shiancoe for 13, Chester Davis rushed for 10, before Giants let Percy Harvin run for 22 yards, giving Vikings first and goal. Vikings completely fooled Giants on next play, when Favre passed to Shiancoe on 8, who was never touched on his way to end zone.

Vikings gained 35 yards rushing on their first series – same as formally formidable Giants running backs gained all day. Brandon Jacobs was out with a knee injury.

Vikings led 31-0 at half. Cannot verify, but it might be first time Giants were ever down by 24 or more points at half for two games in a row.

Waiting For Next Season

Jason La Canfora, on NFL Blogs said their is a “strong chance” that some coaches will be fired this week. One common rumor is that Bill Sheridan will be replaced by Dick Jauron. Giants gave up 40 or more points five times this season! When was the last time that happened?

I also expect running backs coach Jerald Ingram and Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn to be fired.

Did Tom Coughlin hire all these geniuses?

Giants have collapsed at the end of two seasons in a row. I hope next season is different.

Update

NY Times reported that Bill Sheridan was fired; no replacement was named. Article quoted Giants President John Mara:

“We’re not making changes at the head coach or the G.M.”

The game seemed promising, just like this season, which began with five consecutive victories. Giants record is now 8-7.

Giants won the opening coin toss, and drove 56 yards to Carolina 26, where Eli Manning connected with Steve Smith in the end zone. Unfortunately, the touchdown was nullified by a holding penalty against fullback Madison Hedgecock. Worse, a 16 yard Manning pass was fumbled by Mario Manningham three plays later.

Panthers recovered the ball, and took over the game. At halftime, Carolina led 24-0, while Brandon Jacobs had gained one yard on six carries for Giants.

This game, and Thanksgiving against Denver, were the two worst games of the season. It is unbelievable that Giants could descend from a ticker tape parade to their present level in only two seasons.

What’s Next?

Giants will reach playoffs if they beat Minnesota Vikings next week, and Cowboys lose to Redskins and Eagles.

There are better odds that Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan will be replaced next season.

To reach playoffs, Giants have to win their remaining three games, and Dallas Cowboys have to lose once.

Dallas plays unbeaten New Orleans Saints in Superdome next week, travels to Redskins the following week, before ending season at home against Eagles. Tough schedule!

Giants face Redskins away, Carolina at home, before ending season at Minnesota. Hopefully, 11-2 Vikings will rest Favre and Peterson for final game.

Dangerous Offense

Eli Manning is having a great year statistically, despite the absence of Plaxico Burress, but it would be much better, if team committed less penalties. Consider that Giants are ranked fifth in total offense, but eighth in points scored.

Sadly, Giants formerly outstanding rushing attack is gone, and they rank last in “red zone offense.” I cannot recall the last time Brandon Jacobs rushed for 100 yards.

Not So Dangerous Defense

New York Giants formerly great defense, is ranked 28th out of 32 NFL teams. I expect Bill Sheridan, the former linebackers coach, who succeeded the brilliant Steve Spagnuolo as Defensive Coordinator this season, to be replaced.

In my fantasy scenario, Giants will rehire Steve Spagnuolo, who left to coach St. Louis Rams next season. Rams are 1-12, and inexplicably ranked 30th in team defense, so Spagnuolo could conceivably be fired.

But Coach Coughlin, who fired offensive coordinator John Hufnagel before the final game of the 2006 season, is not ready to replace Sheridan. After defense surrendered 45 points to Eagles, Coughlin said of Sheridan:

“I let (Sheridan) know my support for him and I also let him know that it has to be better. We have to do a better job. We are here for one reason. The inconsistency part of it is disturbing, let’s face it. Six big play passes and three big play runs, you are not going to beat anybody like that. It’s not all that. Everybody wants to say 45. It’s not 45, it’s 31. Two scores were on special teams and offense.”

What’s Next?

After winning their first five games, Giants have lost six of their last eight games, and can only improve. Unfortunately, I do not expect them to improve enough, to win their next six games, and reach the Super Bowl.

A team with a porous defense, which commits seven or eight penalties each game, and is ranked last in offense when inside opponent’s 20-yard-line, does not sound like recent New York Giants. Delegating duties is fine, but it is ultimately up to Coach Coughlin to fix this mess, so New York Giants, and their fans, can look forward to Sundays again!

Sheridan, 50, started coaching in 1981, and has been with the Giants for four seasons. Sheridan said:

“I’m thrilled. I’m humbled but very, very excited and anxious to get going. I’ve prepared my entire career for this opportunity. I owe this to Tom Coughlin and Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of the defensive staff — Peter Giunta, Mike Waufle, Dave Merritt and Andre Curtis. This is nothing more than a reflection of the success we’ve had here.”

Coach Coughlin, as usual, explained his decision well:

“We won 26 games here in the last two years. Despite the fact that we’re all miserable, there is an inclination when that happens that you would stay within.

Steve Spagnuolo radically improved Giants defense, during his two seasons with the team. Giants defense was ranked 25th in NFL before he arrived. However, Giants defense was ranked seventh in NFL last year, and fifth in NFL this year.

Let us not forget that Giants were 11–1 this season, before Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce lost their brains.

For a preview, watch this video of Bill Sheridan, describing last year’s defense.

So Long Spags

Steve Spagnuolo will be named Head Coach of St. Louis Rams.

He will be missed.