The Giants sit at 3-5 at the midway point of their season, the second half of which starts Sunday in Seattle against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

Inconsistency led to an up-and-down first eight games as the Giants went from building a three-game winning streak after a 0-2 start to currently trying to end a three-game skid. And injuries, as they do with any team, have played a part, creating opportunities for the next men up.

For those and other reasons, Giants.com looks at five players who could potentially play a bigger role down the stretch as Big Blue tries to work its way into the playoff picture.

DE Robert Ayers Jr.

2014: 8 G, 0 GS, 13 Tackles, 3.0 Sacks, 12 QBH, 2 TFL, 1 FF

Career: 80 G, 27 GS, 155 Tackles, 15.0 Sacks, 49 QBH, 28 TFL, 4 FF*

The offseason acquisition is coming off his most productive game as a member of the New York Giants, accounting for seven of the defense's 11 quarterback hits as well as the team's lone sack of the Colts' Andrew Luck.

Coming out of the bye, the Giants said they would have a greater rotation on the defensive line, and we saw that in the first game back on Monday night. But even before then, Ayers was having a productive season, ranking second on the team with three sacks.

OL Adam Snyder

2014: 3 G, 0 GS

Career: 140 G, 87 GS

Five days before the start of the regular season, the Giants added the longtime 49er and placed guard Geoff Schwartz, an offseason acquisition, on injured reserve/designated to return with a dislocated toe. While Schwartz is still working his way back into game shape, Snyder has been brought up to speed in the new offense, suiting up for three games so far.

He made his biggest contribution on Monday when he replaced Weston Richburg after the rookie left guard suffered an ankle injury. Snyder could see more time as the Giants await the health statuses of Richburg and Schwartz.

CB Mike Harris

*2014: 0 G

Career: 31 G, 8 GS, 92 Tackles, 1.0 Sack, 8 PD, 1 INT*

The cornerback group suffered yet another season-ending injury when Prince Amukamara tore his biceps against the Colts, joining Walter Thurmond III and Trumaine McBride on injured reserve. Before Amukamra's injury, the Giants bolstered the position by signing Mike Harris off the Detroit Lions' practice squad.

Harris previously spent two seasons (2012-2013) with the Jacksonville Jaguars, collecting 71 tackles, one interception, one sack, seven passes defensed, and a fumble recovery. He has played in 31 career games with eight starts, six of which came in 2012.

RB Peyton Hillis

2014: 8 G, 0 GS, 25 Att, 111 Yds (4.4 Avg); 9 Rec, 82 Yds

Career: 80 G, 34 GS, 695 Att, 2,828 Yds (4.1 Avg), 23 TDs; 133 Rec, 1,045 Yds, 3 TDs*

Since starting running back Rashad Jennings was injured in Week 5 and has yet to return, Hillis has seen his workload increase while rookie Andre Williams took over as the starter.

In the last three games, Hillis has 24 touches for 155 yards from scrimmage, including four rushes for 20 yards against Indianapolis in addition to five receptions for 50 yards.

WR Corey Washington

2014: 7 G, 0 GS, 4 Rec, 48 Yds (12.0 Avg), 1 TD

Career: Undrafted rookie out of Newberry College*

The 6-foot-4, 214-pound receiver made a splash in the preseason with 10 catches for 155 yards and four touchdowns, three of which were go-ahead scores late in games.

Heading into this past Monday, Washington hadn't spent much time on the field in the regular season other than special teams. But against the Colts, the Giants took a look at Washington, who had four catches (seven targets) for 48 yards and his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter when the Colts were in control of the game.