Like the rest of the Giants, DE Jason Pierre-Paul hopes the defending Super Bowl champs can make the playoffs. (US Presswire)

They’ve been here before. That’s an indisputable fact, but it really doesn’t indicate where the Giants' season is actually headed. Coach Tom Coughlin’s teams have missed the playoffs three times and won the Super Bowl twice since 2004. And this season, which shares many commonalities with previous years, has an equally broad spectrum of possibilities.

“I mean, yeah we’ve done it before, but this is a whole other year,” DE Jason Pierre-Paul said Wednesday. “This year is a totally different year. We don’t have the same guys on the team as last year. Who knows who’s going to be here next year?”

The good news is their fate is in their own hands. If the 8-6 Giants win their final two games, they are guaranteed at least a wildcard berth in this year's playoffs.

Best-case scenario: The Giants can actually clinch a playoff spot this week with a win over the Ravens in Baltimore, a Redskins’ loss or tie, a Cowboys’ loss, a Vikings’ loss and a Bears’ loss. They can also punch their playoff ticket this week with a win over the Ravens, a Redskins’ loss, a Saints’ tie, a Vikings loss and a Bears’ loss.

The Giants aren’t eliminated with a loss to the Ravens, but that is a significantly more complicated route to the playoffs.

Worst-case scenario: The Ravens are 9-5 and Baltimore is a tough place to win. Exacerbating issues is the fact that the Giants can actually lose the NFC and/or be eliminated from the playoffs this week.

If they lose to the Ravens -- and the Redskins, Cowboys and Seahawks win or tie -- the Giants’ season ends, and there won't be anything to play for or be on the line in Week 17.

If the Giants lose or tie in Baltimore while the Redskins and/or the Cowboys win or tie, then they are out of the running for the NFC East crown, but would still be playing for a potential playoff berth in Week 17 against the Eagles. Of course, they would need help, but they have better divisional records than the 9-5 Seahawks and the 8-6 Bears. 

Reality: Logic suggests the Giants would lose to the Ravens in Baltimore and beat the Eagles at home in the finale, but logic isn’t every useful with this team. We’ll say the Giants will fall this week, win in Week 17, and ultimately be squeezed out on tiebreakers.

Follow the Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSGiants and @AlexRaskinNYC.