PICK YOUR P ISON
Possible playoff toes present big problems
The Giants are locked into the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs, but must wait to learn their first-round opponent, who they will face on the road. Depending on Sunday’s results, they could face the Packers, Seahawks, Falcons, or Lions.
Yet another wintery postseason trip to Green Bay, playing on hallowed NFL ground against Aaron Rodgers, already a legendary quarterback.
Or a cross-country flight to drop their uninspiring offense into the cauldron of noise and defensive mayhem in Seattle.
A nice, climate-controlled game indoors in Atlanta, but going against possible NFL MVP Matt Ryan, throwing darts to Julio Jones, and others.
A nice, climate-controlled game indoors in Detroit, but going against the slings and arrows thrown by Matthew Stafford and a Lions team looking for payback from what transpired late in the regular season in New Jersey.
It could be the Packers, Seahawks, Falcons or Lions awaiting the Giants in the first round of the playoffs. All that is certain with a week left in the regular season is the Giants are the No. 5 seed in the NFC and will be on the road.
“From my experience you got to take whatever comes to you,’’ linebacker and defensive captain Jonathan Casillas said. “I feel like if you say something like, ‘I don’t want to play outside,’ or, ‘I’d rather play indoors or in the south, we played them and so they’re a familiar opponent,’ you end up indoors and you wanted to be outdoors, which is not likely. If you wanted to be indoors and you ended up outdoors in the cold, Green Bay, then you might feel like, ‘ Oh snap,’ you’re like mentally deceiving yourselves before it happens. I feel like as a team, as a unit, we should embrace whoever we get Week 1 for the wild card, whoever we get, we embrace it with open arms and be thankful we have an opportunity to play in the game, no matter where it’s at.’’
The most likely scenario is that the Giants (10-5) will face the Packers at Lambeau Field. That matchup is signed, sealed and delivered if the Packers beat the Lions on Sunday in Detroit (to claim the NFC North title) and the Seahawks beat the 2-13 49ers.
“No preference,’’ Eli Manning said. “You don’t really have a say in it so just find out who it’s gonna be.’’
Of the teams they might see in the first round, the Giants this season played and lost to the Packers 23-16 in Green Bay and beat the Lions 17-6 at MetLife Stadium. The Giants last played the Seahawks in November 2014 (losing 38-17 in Seattle) and most recently played the Falcons in September 2015 (losing 24-20 at home).
“I don’t know if it’s easier,’’ Manning said of playing a familiar opponent. “I guess if it’s a team you played recently, you have a little idea what their scheme is and about certain players and what- not. However it works out, we’ll be wellprepared and we’ll get adjusted and have a good plan.’’
The Giants cannot move up or down no matter how they close out their regular season, but they certainly can play a major spoiler role. The Redskins must beat the Giants on Sunday at FedEx Field to have any shot at the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. So, the Giants can put a stake through the heart of the postseason aspirations of an NFC East rival.
“It ain’t about them, though,’’ Casillas said. “I don’t care where they land at, if they make the playoffs or not and I never did. For us, we have to play good ball and go in the right direction, you can’t digress in any type of way, we can’t afford to do that.’’
Manning does not obsess over such things, but he is human; he’d like to know what the playoffs will bring.
“You’re gonna want to know who you’re playing in the playoffs,’’ he said. “I know there’s a lot of scenarios, just a matter I don’t know when certain games are playing next week and when everything will be decided. Focus will be Washington, after that yeah, you’re gonna have some curiosity who you’ll be facing the following week.’’ paul.schwar tz@ nypost.com