Judge, Giants having hard time getting over hump

EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. — While the New York Giants have the worst record in the NFC, they are going to spoil the season for some teams down the stretch.

Joe Judge and the Giants (1-7) are getting closer to winning. Their past three losses have been by a total of six points. In their seven losses, they have had chances to win or tie games five times in the closing minutes.

The most recent was a 25-23 loss to Tom Brady and the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) on Monday night. All the Giants needed was a 2-point conversion in the final minute to force overtime. They just missed on a pass attempt and the officials increased their heartache by picking up a flag for pass interference on the play.

How often do you see that? This is a young team finding its way and they could cause problems for some of their remaining opponents in the playoff chase — the NFC East-leading Eagles ( 3-4-1) as well as the Seahawks (6-1), Cardinals (5-2), Browns (5-3) and Ravens (5-2) later in the season.

The Giants probably could have beaten the Bucs if quarterback Daniel Jones had not thrown two second-half interceptions that led to 10 points for Tampa Bay.

“I see this team making a lot of progress,” Judge said Tuesday. “I have seen us being close, obviously in this situation, close isn’t good enough in this business. We have to keep pushing forward and get the results that we are working for, but it starts with eliminating those mistakes.”

Do that and it will lay the groundwork for something bigger and better in 2021.

WHAT’S WORKING

Pat Graham’s defense makes the Giants competitive. The front seven is stopping the run and secondary is bending but not

Adam Hunger / Associated Press Giants coach Joe Judge yells at the officials following the conclusion of Monday night’s loss to the Buccaneers.