Updated Dec. 2
Remember this phrase: Callous disregard for the ball.
That's Tom Coughlin-speak for turnovers.
He used that sentence a few years back as coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars after his team lost a game because of turnovers.
The man's already-red face turns apple red when the ball is lost.
He preaches the importance of taking care of the ball more than any other coach in the league. They all do it, but he just does it more. He's maniacal about it.
I bring this up because Coughlin's New York Giants are the best team in the league. A big reason is they take care of the football.
In 12 games, the Giants have turned it over just 11 times. That's eight interceptions for Eli Manning and three fumbles lost.
That's the second-best turnover number in the NFL, second to the Dolphins and their 10 giveaways.
That ability to hold on to the ball is a big reason why the Giants are 11-1 and sitting atop our CBSSports.com Power Rankings.
The Giants are a plus-10 in takeaway ratio, which ties them for second in the league with the Dolphins behind the Titans, who are a plus-13. The Giants' fumbles-lost total is second best to the Colts, who have lost just two.
That's holding on to the football.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Without the turnovers, the Giants are able to lead the league in rushing offense and lead the league in scoring offense. They control the football and they rarely play from behind, which is why they can run the ball the way they do.
In their only loss, at Cleveland on Oct. 13, they turned it over three times. That means in their 11 victories, they've turned it over eight times. That's incredible.
The Giants won the Super Bowl last season but they did so without taking care of the football. They were the first team in 20 years to win a Super Bowl with a negative turnover ratio. They were a minus-9.
This Giants team is significantly better than the 2007 version because these players don't turn it over.
There is no callous disregard for the ball, which is just the way Coughlin likes it.
The Power Rankings through Week 13:
| Power Rankings | ||||||||||
| Current | Team | Previous | ||||||||
 | 1 | Colts · Trends | 1 | |||||||
| They make it interesting, but they still find a way. The amazing thing is that they are winning yet not healthy. That's what a good quarterback does for a team. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Saints · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| Can anybody stop that offense? If they get to play their playoff games inside the Superdome, it's hard not imagining them in the Super Bowl. | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Vikings · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| If the playoffs go through their dome, they will be tough to beat. They seem to be getting better -- if that's possible. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | Cowboys · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| The offense woke up against the Raiders, which is a good sign moving forward. But it will be December the next time they play and we know how they fade in that month. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Bengals · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| It wasn't pretty against the Browns, but they went to 8-3. The one concern I have is they aren't passing it that well right now. That has to get better down the stretch. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Chargers · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| Momentum seems to be building for this team. As the defense improves, so will their Super chances. We know they can score. | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Patriots · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| They got ambushed in New Orleans. That defense has not played well when facing good passing teams. Where's the pass rush? | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Eagles · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| They struggled some against the Redskins and now must go on the road at Atlanta. That won't be easy. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Broncos · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| That was a season-saving victory against the Giants. But be careful this week against the Chiefs. They've owned the Broncos in December at Arrowhead. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Packers · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| They are starting to have a playoff look about them. The key will be how that offensive line holds up. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Cardinals · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| The division race tightened up with that loss to the Titans, and now they have a huge game with the Vikings. They have to be careful of San Francisco creeping back into it. | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Steelers · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| The questioning of Ben Roethlisberger sitting out by teammates is not a good sign. They shouldn't do that. It could cause problems. | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Giants · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| This is a team in big trouble. If Eli Manning can't play at close to 100 percent the rest of the way, they can forget the playoffs. Even with them, they could miss out. | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Falcons · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| Matt Ryan won't play this week, which means Chris Redman will have their playoff hopes on his right arm against the Eagles. Can he play as well as he did last week, now that they know he's coming? | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Ravens · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| They had a huge victory last week over the Steelers, but now have to go to Green Bay to face the Packers. That will be tough. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Jaguars · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| As long as they don't go to the West Coast again, they will be fine. They scored three points in two games there. Ouch. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Titans · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| Watch out. They're coming fast. If they can beat the Colts this week, the schedule the rest of the way is favorable. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Dolphins · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| Did they blow their playoff chances at Buffalo? If they did, that halfback pass on their opening drive of the game could be the reason why. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Texans · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| When they learn to beat the Colts, then we'll take their playoff chances seriously. If they lose at Jacksonville this week, it could be the end of the Gary Kubiak era. | ||||||||||
 | 20 | Jets · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| They're still alive, but barely. They still don't look close to being the team that jumped to a 3-0 start. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | 49ers · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| Alex Smith has five games to show he is their guy for the future. He looked comfortable against the Jaguars. | ||||||||||
 | 22 | Bills · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| The team is playing better under Perry Fewell. But he probably has no chance to keep the job. | ||||||||||
 | 23 | Seahawks · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| It's too bad they don't play the Rams every week. If they did, they might make the playoffs. Justin Forsett looks like the real deal. | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Panthers · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| It's time to make a change at quarterback. Find out what Matt Moore can do. What do they have to lose? | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Bears · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| Paging Bill Cowher. Paging Bill Cowher. Is there any doubt they will make a coaching change now? | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Chiefs · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| That San Diego game was a reminder of how far this team needs to go. They are a long way away from competing. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | Redskins · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| They're still playing hard, but it doesn't matter. Jim Zorn is still gone after the season. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Raiders · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| At some point they have to get a quarterback. There is talent going to waste on this roster. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Lions · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| They have some offensive talent. Now they have to fix that defense. Teams do what they want. Green Bay wasn't even challenged. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Rams · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| Will they win again? It doesn't look good. Now comes the big decision: Which quarterback do they take in next spring's draft? | ||||||||||
 | 31 | Buccaneers · Trends | 31 | |||||||
| Who will Raheem Morris fire this week? Is it another loss, another firing? It's time the blame goes to the man at the top. | ||||||||||
 | 32 | Browns · Trends | 32 | |||||||
| It has to be hard to watch this team, especially for Browns fans. The question now is whether Eric Mangini makes it for a second season. | ||||||||||
