The Giants are better than expected and definitely look to be gaining confidence and improving ... however, they were lucky to win the Washington game since the Skins turned the ball over 7 times.
The problem with them is that the Eagles are probably the best team in the NFC with Seattle a close 2nd. The Falcons are winning ugly but the defense is good and the offense is getting better each week. The Vikings will likely be a playoff team as well especially if Bennett ever makes it back healthy. That leaves 2 spots. I expect Parcells to somehow will the Cowboys to one of them leaving the other teams like St. Louis, New Orleans, the Giants and maybe Green Bay or Carolina to battle for the last one.
Now, the Giants could sneak into the playoffs but the team I think they would have to beat out for that to happen is Dallas so this weekend will be a measuring stick of how real the Giants are. if they beat the Cowboys in Dallas, I think they will be good enough to make the playoffs ... however, I like Dallas to win this game and cover the spread.