May not be meaningless, but very little meaning
As a team, much of what the Giants have put on display this season when their offense is on the field has been unbearable to watch. There is no reason to believe the sights on Sunday at Soldier Field will be more pleasing to the eyes. There is no hiding from the truth, though, which is why every snap matters.
Every move they make and every step they take is put on film and graded, and players who go in the tank now might not be around later. The Giants (4-11) beating or getting beat by the Bears (5-10) will be recorded and then filed away, part of the last vestiges of a brutal season for these historic franchises.
Disgruntled fans may view these late-season games as drudgery and opportunities for better NFL draft positioning — though the Giants actually own the Bears’ 2022 first-round pick — but coaches and players, well, they dismiss all this, steadfastly insisting winning is paramount.
“I think it’s three parts to that,’’ Andrew Thomas, the second-year left tackle, said. “First, you’re playing with the team. I’m out there and I’m going to do my best to help my brother out. We all work hard to do that. Then, there’s myself. I’ve got pride. I’m going to step on the field, I’m going to play well. And lastly, you’re always being evaluated by the coaches, so you want to put the best out that you can.’’
Thomas is an extreme rarity with the Giants in that he is putting the finishing touches on a fine season. His arrow is pointed upward. He is an ascending player and a foundation piece. Who else can the Giants say this about, based not on salary or pedigree but solely on performance?
Sagging to the close on a four-game losing streak, the Giants are highly expected to go back to Mike Glennon as the starting quarterback, with Jake Fromm possibly getting into the game at some point. Good luck finding a whole bunch of open targets. Kenny Golladay (no touchdowns) is the last man standing, with Sterling Shepard on injured reserve and Kadarius Toney, John Ross and Collin Johnson all hurt and out.
Gauging any signs of progress with Daniel Jones on offense was difficult. Without him (injured reserve with a sprained neck) it is all the more difficult and, some — but not all — would say, meaningless.
“I hear people all the time say ‘meaningless games,’ ’’ coach Joe Judge said. “What is a meaningless game? Everyone here has worked very hard to be in this position, to play or coach in this league. We’re only guaranteed or promised so many games a year. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to go out here and compete. There’s no such thing as a meaningless game. There’s wasted effort, there’s wasted preparation, but there are no meaningless games.’’