THE 2020 VISION

Prior to this season, Mara (right) hearkened back to his late father, team patriarch Wellington Mara, in defining what a successful season feels like. That is the key — feels like. Is the arrow pointing up or down?

“I want to feel like when we walk off the field after the last game, whenever that is, that we have the pieces in place to compete for a Super Bowl and that the combination of people we have here is going to work going forward,’’ Mara said in early September. “We need to feel like we’re building something that is going to compete for a championship. If we are able to play meaningful games in December, that would be a sign that we are doing that.”

This is a fascinating study. After compiling a four-game winning streak, the Giants set themselves up for meaningful games through Thanksgiving and Christmas and will play a meaningful game in early January. Meaningful, of course, only because of the sad state of affairs in the division. Is 5-10 no more than 5-10, regardless of the anomalous playoff implications?

There will not be anyone in the seats at MetLife Stadium as the Giants battle for their playoff lives against the Cowboys. Mara will be there, though. There is no doubt he believes his Giants are building something. As far as having the pieces in place to compete for a Super Bowl? That is quite a stretch.

Gettleman turns 70 on Feb. 21. There are some rumblings around the league he is thinking about retiring, but those closest to him are not hearing that. Soon enough, it all gets sorted out.