EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - After going through all the ugly details of the Giants' debacle at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, New York coach Tom Coughlin delivered a message of hope to the defending Super Bowl champions.

If the Giants (8-6) win their final two games, they will be back in the playoffs either as the NFC East champion or a wild card.

While it sounds simple, Coughlin admitted Monday that he didn't believe Jon Berger after the team's senior director of football information explained the postseason scenario to him while on a plane. So he had him recheck it.

For the Giants, ironically, it's the same scenario as a year ago. Win the last two, play on. The question, though, is this: Can this talented team once again find that elusive consistency and become a postseason force? Especially after losing 34-0 to Atlanta?

New York closes against Baltimore (9-5) and Philadelphia (4-10).

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