If the Giants' 9-7 season has taught us anything, it's that no problem exists in a vacuum. WR Hakeem Nicks' knee injury allowed defenses to focus on WR Victor Cruz and effectively take away the threat of the big play.
It's difficult to point to a single factor that led to the Giants' demise in 2012 as all their units played well and poorly at various times.
The Giants were, however briefly, considered one of the NFL's top teams for a good portion of the 2012 season, and there were plenty of highlights to corroborate that perception. Of course, New York ended up blowing it in the end, so there are more than enough lowlights as well.
The Giants' 2013 schedule will be every bit as difficult as their 2012 schedule, but the real story is their home game against the Denver Broncos, which will be the third time Manning brothers Eli and Peyton have faced each other in an NFL game.
A 9-7 season that ended without a playoff berth is disappointing for the Giants and their fans, but 2012 wasn't without its highlights
We do know the Giants looked nearly perfect in their 42-7 dismantling of the Philadelphia Eagles. The problem is, a win like that only raised more questions than answers.
Around half of the Giants' 2012 roster has a realistic chance of moving on this offseason. General manager Jerry Reese was asked on Monday if he'd put the number around 23 players in total. "It's a pretty big number, but nothing we can't handle," Reese said.
The 9-7 Giants are beginning to have a idea of what their 2013 schedule will look like. New York will host the Denver Broncos, which means a third meeting between brothers Eli and Peyton Manning, the latter of who holds a 2-0 series edge.
The Giants' playoff hopes were expiring by the time they got to the locker room after their 42-7 pounding of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. The Bears were in victory formation, finishing off a 26-24 win over the Detroit Lions. That officially ended the season for the defending Super Bowl champs.
Giants inactives for Sunday's game against the Eagles include DT Chris Canty and CB Jayron Hosley.
LB Mychal Kendricks and DT Fletcher Cox are among Philadelphia's inactives for its game against the Giants.
The Giants still have a chance to make the playoffs with a win over the Eagles, but the way this season has been going, don't count on it.
Giants WR Victor Cruz says a new contract is structured but that nothing has been finalized yet.
Giants CB Jayron Hosley (quad) rode the exercise bike one day after being added to the practice report. His absence is significant because defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said the rookie would start on Sunday against the Eagles if CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring) can't play.
The Giants won the Super Bowl last year using the same defense they're using this year. But this year, it ain't really working.