Bye Week - Looking Ahead

This past week Tim Lewis said there was no reason to panic - if the Giants are still playing poorly by week 10, then he'll get worried. Well, here's a news flash for you Tim. These Giants better get their act together in a hurry because they can't afford to wait until week 10 to start worrying.

Take a peek at the NFC East schedule over the next four weeks. The Eagles play GB, NO, and Tampa and by the end of week 7 are a lock to be 5-2 (and probably 6-1 since they figure to permanently chase TO out of Philly). Dallas gets to tune up against the likes of TN and Houston. The Giants? They host Washington then travel to visit Michael Vick before heading into Dallas.

Even if the Giants come out blazing after the bye week and crush the Redskins, taking on Michael Vick in Atlanta won't be easy, nor will defeating Parcells in Dallas. But what if the Giants come out of the bye week still looking like stumble bums and lose to Washington? Can you say 1-5?

We've all heard it before - it's way too early to talk about must win games. And I admit I've already worn out the phrase by talking about it before the Eagles game (and I'll say it again - that was a must win game). Yet here we are only approaching game 4 with the Giants in another must win situation. Even if they win, they could still lose in Atlanta and Dallas and end up 2-4. But if they play poorly and stumble at home against Washington, they almost certainly go 1-5 and find their season in shambles.

Washington certainly won't be a gimme game. They are already 1-2, facing Jacksonville tomorrow, NY in week 5 and visit Peyton Manning in week 7. Their season is probably already over, but lose to the Giants next Sunday and it is virtually assured. So this is a huge game for Washington. And remember, Brunell is hot, having thown for a NFL record 22 straight completions last week. It won't be easy and the Giants will have to be firing on all cylinders. Tim Lewis, are you listening? Week 10? How does game 4 sound?