Giants blow up NFC playoff picture with upset win over Seahawks

The Giants took down the Seahawks in surprising fashion and have changed up the NFC playoff picture. 

The NFC East has been one big punchline all season. The New York Giants flipped that narrative Sunday with an upset victory on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.

This was no fluke either. The Giants have now won four straight and held Russell Wilson to 263 passing yards and only one touchdown in the 17-12 victory. There is also still the possibility of the NFC East champion finishing at least .500.

The result made a huge impact on the entire NFC playoff picture.

Giants shock the Seahawks and the standings

The most important thing for the Giants is staying atop the NFC East. A 5-7 record has the Giants right above 4-7 Washington, who plays Monday against Pittsburgh. New York currently holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with two wins over The Football Team. So a loss by Washington gives the Giants what is in essence a two-game lead with four to go.

Let’s jump out west now. The Seahawks went from fighting for the top seed to dropping down to the No. 5 seed. A Los Angeles Rams victory has them and the Seahawks sitting at 8-4 with the Rams holding the head-to-head with one more matchup to be played. The Arizona Cardinals don’t look to be as big of a threat now at 6-6.

The New Orleans Saints sit atop the NFC at 10-2. Next is the 9-3 Green Bay Packers, followed by the Rams. Barring a total collapse, the Seahawks and Rams are in a battle for the NFC West crown while the loser could drop to the No. 6 seed behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Seahawks blew a golden opportunity to compete for the lone bye in the NFC this postseason. Now the fight is on to just get a home playoff game, which is a right the Giants would have if the season ended today.

A win for New York provided great news in Los Angeles. It also keeps the Giants as the favorites to win what has been a pitiful division so far this season.