NEW YORK _ That's that.
The Giants were eliminated from postseason consideration with a 17-0 loss to the Titans at miserable MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Not only did the result end their exceedingly slim chances of capturing an NFC wild-card spot, the way the game was played reminded everyone exactly why that opportunity was such a long shot to begin with. It was a throwback to the first half of the season, when the Giants were 1-7, struggled to move the ball on offense, and gave up untimely running plays on defense.
The loss drops their record to 5-9, securing their fifth losing season in the last six.
Even in those early losses the Giants were able to score points. Their previous low in a game this season was 13, which happened twice in losses to the Cowboys and Eagles. A week after putting up 40 points in a win over the Redskins, the Giants were blanked. It was their first time being shut out since Week 16 last year against the Cardinals on Christmas Eve. It was their first home shutout since a 23-0 loss to Seattle on Dec. 15, 2013.
Their best chance to score while the game was up for grabs was on the opening drive of the second half when they marched to the Titans' 18. A penalty against guard Jamon Brown pushed them back 10 yards and two plays later Eli Manning threw a pass toward Russell Shepard that was intercepted by Kevin Byard at the 15.
The Giants' defense forced the Titans to punt after the turnover, but Manning was sacked and fumbled at his own 14 three plays later. The Titans converted that takeaway into a touchdown on Derrick Henry's 1-yard run to make it 14-0 with 2:20 left in the third. A 22-yard field goal by Ryan Succop with 5:06 left in the fourth made it 17-0.
Henry rumbled over the Giants' defense for 170 yards on 33 carries. He also scored the Titans' first touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. On a day when the wet, windy weather made both teams one-dimensional, the Titans' dimension was much more effective than the Giants'. Saquon Barkley was held to 31 yards on 14 carries.
Manning completed just 21 of 44 passes for 229 yards.
The Titans (8-6) remain in contention for an AFC playoff berth. They would have been eliminated with a loss.
