GIANTS KNOW TURNAROUND COMING SOON AFTER 1-3 START

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) >> Four games into his NFL career, New York Giants half back Saquon Barkley has a good understanding of life in the NFL.

The No. 2 overall draft picks knows there are no easy games. There are going to be ups and downs every game, and mistakes usually are going to determine the outcome. All a player can do is to work hard and not get too down when things are going badly.

The other thing that’s obvious is losing can’t become a habit.

With a 1-3 record heading into Sunday’s game at Carolina against the Panthers (2-1), the Giants need to start winning if they want to have any hope of making the playoffs in coach Pat Shurmur’s first season.

“The season is obviously not over,” Barkley said Wednesday. “It’s a long season, but you can’t say: ‘It’s a long season’ forever because you get to a point where you get redundant and you keep saying that, then there’s no chance for you to make the playoffs. Everything that we still want, all of our goals are still in reach. Coach said something perfect today, he said the only thing that we’re not capable of doing this season is an undefeated season.”

One thing to expect this weekend is Barkley getting his hands on the ball a lot. He had 10 carries for 44 yards and caught six passes for 56 in the 33-18 loss to the New Orleans

Saints last weekend.

Shurmur was quick to admit Barkley didn’t get enough touches. Barkley will take the ball any time.

“Whatever the team needs me to do, however many touches they need me to do, however many carries they need me to do, however many plays they need me to do, I’m willing to do it,” he said. “It wouldn’t bother me, my mind wouldn’t be different, my body wouldn’t be different. At the end of the day you still have to come in here and take care of your body; I’m still going to do that no matter if I touch the ball twice or touch the ball 25 times.”

Barkley has had at least 100 total yards from scrimmage in each of his first four games. If he extends the streak to five games Sunday, he will join Adrian Peterson and Kareem Hunt as the only rookies to do that in the NFL’s 99-season history. His 453 total yards are No. 8 in the league.

BILL KOSTROUN - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley jumps over defenders for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J.

BILL KOSTROUN - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur, right, talks with referees during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J.