EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Shurmur Sez, Giants.com's exclusive weekly interview with head coach Pat Shurmur:
Q: The loss last week in Philadelphia was clearly very difficult for everyone. In 20 years as an NFL coach, has it gotten easier or harder for you to get past those kinds of last-minute defeats?
Shurmur: "No, it's never easy to get past a loss. I think especially division losses, they all count one certainly, but a division loss and especially one where we got ahead on them and we didn't do enough to either extend the lead or keep the lead."
Q: At your Monday news conference, you said your goal is unchanged, and that is to win the next game (Sunday at home vs. Chicago). Did that need to be repeated to the players?
Shurmur: "I remind the players every week that our only task each week is to prepare for the next game. That hasn't changed and that will never change."
Q: Several costly penalties hurt you in the loss to the Eagles. Some of them were questionable. Who are you most annoyed with, the players who were cited, or the officials who might have missed some of them? And as a coach, you're always looking for teaching moments – can you do that in this instance?
Shurmur: "Certainly, it's excuse-making to blame officiating for anything. We can't expose ourselves to penalties, we can't have them, and especially when they come at critical times. So it is part of the teaching to instruct the players not to have that happen again."
Q: Eli (Manning) has experienced numerous ups and downs. You have other captains - Zak (DeOssie), (Nate) Solder and (Alec) Ogletree, who have played a long time. How have the veterans responded during the tough times?
Shurmur: "I think if you play and coach in this league long enough, you're going to face periods of adversity, and I think the veteran players have done a good job of helping me provide a constant message to the whole team that we just need to keep practicing, keep playing, and keep doing what we have to do to win a game each week."
Q: You entered the season expecting (Cody) Latimer would be the third receiver. He had just six catches before going on injured reserve. Jawill (Davis) got hurt, (Bennie) Fowler has eight receptions, (Corey) Coleman had a key drop the other day, and you've played basically five games without (Evan) Engram –
Shurmur: "This is a fun question."
Q: How difficult has it been without that third wide receiver and with your receiving tight end missing roughly half the season?
Shurmur: "I think injuries are part of the business. The guys that have filled in, although they don't get a lot of production, because obviously at the receiver position our most targeted receiver is Odell (Beckham, Jr.) and our second-most targeted receiver is Sterling (Shepard), those guys have filled in and done their role well. I think it's important to remember that there's other things that you can do as a receiver other than just catch passes. Those guys are battling in the run game, they're involved in all the route combinations, and so at times, if the ball doesn't go their way, they do a good job of just keep playing."
Q: One guy who stepped up the other day was (Rhett) Ellison, who had a career-high 77 receiving yards. What do you like about him?
Shurmur: "Rhett's a football player who tries to perform well in all the things that his job requires him to do. Block the run, block in pass protection, and then when given an opportunity to run a route and catch a ball, he's done a good job of being very steady in terms of being where he's supposed to be and catching the ball. He's a very dependable guy. He's easy for a quarterback to find, because you know where he's going to be and I think that's just a part of his nature. Doesn't say much, he just comes in and does his job. I think, as a coach, those are the things that you really appreciate about players."
Q: Saquon (Barkley) is third in the NFL with 242 touches. When the season began, did you have an idea in your head how many times you wanted him to touch the ball, and has it evolved, or is there a game-by-game feel for it?
Shurmur: "Everybody's adding things up, but for the people that care about that stuff, the two guys around here that touch the ball the most are Saquon and Odell. For whatever it's worth, they're two guys that we consider to be playmakers and we're making an effort to give them the ball. I don't see much beyond that."
Q: I know your expectations for Saquon were high when the season began, but has he even exceeded how good you thought he'd be?
Shurmur: "We knew he was a good player. I think as the season's gone on, he's had production. He's competed in a way that has been good. I think he learns and gets better every week, and that's just a function of the fact that he's a young player and it's a function of – it really is a testament of how hard he works and how he listens and takes coaching. I think one of the most dangerous or fatal flaws for a great player is if he's un-coachable, and he has displayed that he is coachable."
Q: The defensive players after the defeat in Philly said, "We have to finish the game ," but they seem to be at a loss to say why they couldn't finish the game. They seem frustrated. Do you get frustrated or can you not show frustration to them?
Shurmur: "I think we just have to fix problems. I think that's the frustration part. Hey, listen, I have my feelings, I'm a competitor, and I think what the outside wants me to do is throw a tantrum for them. This isn't about them. I think what we have to do is fix problems. In the two weeks previous, the offense we were playing against was on the field and we found a way to stop them and win the game. In this game, the offense was on the field at the end of the game and we didn't, and so the challenge is then to fix what we didn't do right tactically and fundamentally and move on."
Q: When Connor Barwin was signed, Dave Gettleman said that you needed another veteran pass rusher. He got a lot of snaps early in the year and then O.V. (Olivier Vernon) returned, and his snaps have been sharply reduced. Is there not a place for Connor now?
Shurmur: "No, I think, to your point, O.V. came back, so he's playing more, and we're also using Lorenzo Carter more. He's a young player who has made progress throughout the year, so it's more of a function of that than of trying to not use Connor."
Q: You got (RJ) McIntosh in there for a dozen snaps the other day in his first game action. Can you tell anything from that small sample?
Shurmur: "It's a good start, certainly. He hasn't played a lot of football since he's been out of college. Did a good job in the practice sessions, he basically filled in for Kerry Wynn, who was not active (with a concussion). So it wasn't a player tryout, he was filling in for an injured player or a de-activated player. I thought for the small amount of snaps that he took, he did some things that we're encouraged by, and we hope to see him get better."
Q: You mentioned that you played the Bears twice a year when you were in Minnesota. Vic Fangio is still their defensive coordinator, and it's the same scheme. Does that help you prepare for this game?
Shurmur: "I recognize what I see from their defense. They certainly have new wrinkles, but they've added two very dynamic players. They've had some change to their scheme. They got (Leonard) Floyd back, he's healthy, but then obviously when you add Khalil Mack and then Roquan Smith, you add really two dynamic players, one at the rush level (Mack) and one at the linebacker level, to a really solid, salty scheme, it makes them better."
Q: The Bears defense has put together a lot of impressive numbers, including allowing the second-fewest points in the league. They have outstanding players on all three levels of the defense. When you watch them on tape, what stands out? Is it the front seven?
Shurmur: "There's two guys that stand out in their front, Akiem Hicks on the inside and then certainly Khalil Mack on the outside. But the other guys in there playing do their jobs well, also. I've seen the production that Hicks can have, and then on tape you see what Khalil can do and then they've done a good job of getting turnovers. And the safety, (Eddie) Jackson, has done a good job. They've done a good job in turnovers, they're fundamental in how they play, and they can create problems."
Q: They have league-high totals of 29 takeaways and 104 points scored off turnovers. As an offensive coach, you stress ball protection every week. Do you emphasize that more this week?
Shurmur: "No, that's just SOP. You talk about turnovers and the effect they have and really what's more important than the turnover is what a team does after it happens. When we get a turnover, we need to turn it into points, which they've done a good job of. And on the rare occasion that we turn the ball over, on defense we have to make sure they don't score a touchdown, depending on where they're at. I think there's a lot of conversation about turnovers, which you can't have. Turnover margin speaks to winning, but I think the other part of the conversation is what do you do with the turnover. I think that should as big a part of the conversation as the turnover itself."
View the projected starters for this Sunday's game against the Bears.
Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson, rear, and teammate linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) celebrate the 76-yard interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack waits on the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Chicago Bears' quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) during the NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) in action against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) makes a reception against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears free safety Eddie Jackson (39) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) blocks against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears defensive end Jonathan Bullard (90) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/G-Jun Yam)
Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) celebrates after a quarterback sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears' wide receiver Allen Robinson (12) during the NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Black)
Detroit Lions defensive end Da'Shawn Hand (93) is blocked by Chicago Bears offensive guard James Daniels (68) during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Charles Leno (72) prepares to block Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Chicago Bears center Cody Whitehair (65) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Bobby Massie (70) waits on the snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Bobby Massie (70) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Chicago Bears tight end Trey Burton catches during pregame of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Chicago Bears strong safety Adrian Amos (38) during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Chicago Bears fullback Michael Burton (46) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Q: The Giants played Mack last year when he was in Oakland. It was (Chad) Wheeler's third start, and Mack made some big plays. Wheeler will face him again on Sunday. Did you go back and look at that game, or did you have Wheeler look at it?
Shurmur: "I've watched the game. I've watched all of last year's games, but because he's playing in a different scheme, I think it's more important to watch the scheme and how he's acted in it."
Q: On his conference call, (Bears coach) Matt Nagy, who also comes from Andy Reid's coaching tree, was very complimentary toward you. He said you were the only coach who always returned his call or always responded to a text when he reached out to you. Is helping out younger coaches something you like to do?
Shurmur: "I think that should just be part of being a human being and participating in life. We communicate with one another and especially in a way – I think we've got a really strong professional friendship. Although I don't know him as well as I would have if I had worked with him more years, I just think that's just part of how you should live your life. I think he's done a good job there. I think he's followed a model that has been successful in the past. You look when Jon Gruden went to Tampa, he preserved what was really good about the defense and then brought some stability to the offense, and they were able to continue to have success. When Jim Harbaugh went to the San Francisco 49ers, over the years they had compiled and established really a Super Bowl-caliber defense, and he kind of kept that intact with the coaches and players and then kind of worked to stabilizing and get production out of the offense. When I see this model, Chicago had developed a really stout defense and for whatever reason, they had some injuries along the way. But they have those injured players and they added a couple more pieces and they kept Vic Fangio and the key guys on the defensive staff in place, and then he (Nagy) has come there and given the offense stability and production. I think, to his credit, I think they have a model that works for them."
Q: With your knowledge of his offensive system, can you help your defensive coaches a little bit more this week?
Shurmur: "Certainly, there's a lot of plays that they run that I recognize and I know what they call them, just because they're off the rack, standard plays that are part of what we teach. From that standpoint, because I recognize some of the things, it helps. Their offensive coordinator (Mark Helfrich) was the head coach of Oregon who was also Chip Kelly's offensive coordinator, and having been with Chip for three years (2013-15 in Philadelphia), I recognize a lot of the zone read concepts. The fact that I recognize them doesn't necessarily mean you know when they're going to call them. At least you can just tell the defense what maybe the quarterback's thinking or what they're trying to get done."
Q: Did they look appreciably different on offense with (Chase) Daniel at quarterback rather than (Mitchell) Trubisky?
Shurmur: "Not really. I think there were a couple things in play there. It was a short week (Chicago played on Thanksgiving), so they probably had kind of a chopped-down game plan, like we all do on a short week. They came in, they repeated some plays, things that were working. I thought he (Daniel) was steady and he took care of the ball, which is important. They sort of played a steady kind of grind-it-out, gritty-type game, and that's what you kind of expect from your backup."
Q: Offensively, they have a standout at every position with (Taylor) Gabriel at wide receiver, (Trey) Burton at tight end, (Tarik) Cohen's been doing a lot at running back, and (Jordan) Howard (their leading rusher).
Shurmur: "And they use them well. Cohen, they utilize his speed. I would say he's probably like their Tyreek Hill from the place (Nagy) had just come from (Kansas City). I think Howard is sort of their banger back. A lot like the running back they have in (Kareem) Hunt at the Chiefs, so it sort of fits. Trey Burton is their tight end productive-type guy and, then they have a couple of other bigger tight ends (Ben Braunecker and Daniel Brown) that block for them. Gabriel's an outside threat. I think because of the way their offense is assembled, some of the things he's done in his past sort of fit, based on the players that they have."
The Giants first played the Bears in 1925, making this their oldest active series.
Chicago Bears back Beattie Feathers (48) is about to be tossed for loss by Giant Dale Burnett in game played on Oct. 31, 1937 at the Polo Grounds. Bears and Giants played to a 3-3 tie. (AP Photo)
William Beattie "Big Chief" Feathers (48) of the Chicago Bears is off on an end run that resulted in no gain during a game against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds in New York City Nov., 8, 1936. Number 3 of the Bears running interference is Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski Bears won, 25-7. (AP Photo)
Ward Cuff, New York Giants halfback, gets off a 42-yard goal against the Chicago Bears Oct. 31, 1937 at the Polo Grounds in New York City. The Bears and Giants played to a 3-3 tie. (AP Photo)
New York Giants halfback Tuffy Leemans (4) runs into some Chicago Bear tacklers as he returns a punt for 15 yards in a game before 50,000 at the Polo Grounds in New York City, Oct. 31, 1937. The Giants and Bears played to a 3-3 tie. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears' Bernie Masterson (33) scores against the New York Giants in first period of their 1936 game at the Polo Grounds in New York , Nov. 8, 1936. Bears won, 25-7. (AP Photo)
American football player Red Grange of the Chicago Bears is shown during a game against the New York Giants in New York in 1925. The running back is known as the "Galloping Ghost." (AP Photo)
Coach Steve Owen, center, of the New York Giants, discusses the championship game with Chicago Bears quarterback Frank Filchock, left, and end Jim Poole during a workout at the Polo Grounds in New York, on December 11, 1946. (AP Photo)
Frank Filchock, Giants quarterback and passer, and Coach Steve Owen watch fourth quarter action in the Giants-Chicago Bears Championship playoff game in New York on Dec. 15, 1946. The Bears broke the 14-14 tie in the last period to win 24-14. (AP Photo)
Giants' Mel Triplett (33) picks up a block and then charges past Chicago Bears players and over umpire Sam Wilson for 17 yards and a touchdown - first of the game - at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Dec. 30, 1956. Giants routed Bears 4707 to take the NFL championship. Identifiable players are: Alex Webster (29), Stan Wallace (40). (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Giants backfield coach Vince Lombardi, left, admiring watch presented to Mel Triplett, right, for his play football title game against the Chicago Bears in New York, Dec. 31, 1956. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons)
New York Coach Jim Lee Howell, left, and Frank Gifford, pose in a dressing room at Yankee Stadum in New York on Dec. 30, 1956. Gifford, instrumental in the Giants' drive toward the championship, scored one of the six touchdowns in the Giants 47-7 victory over the Bears to capture the 1956 NFL championship. (AP Photo)
New York Giant quarterback Charley Conerly, right, and his pass-catching partner, halfback Frank Gifford, celebrate in the dressing room after helping their team to a 47-7 win over the Chicago Bears to gain the National Football League championship at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Dec. 30, 1956. (AP Photo)
Giants' Mel Triplett (33) picks up a block and then charges past Chicago Bears players and over umpire Sam Wilson for 17 yards and a touchdown - first of the game - at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Dec. 30, 1956. Giants routed Bears 4707 to take the NFL championship. Identifiable players are Ed Meadows (86), Roosevelt Brown (79), Jack Stroud (66), Alex Webster (29), Joe Fortunato (31), Wayne Hansen (51), Stan Wallace (40), McNeil Moore (29), Ray Smith (20) and J.C. Caroline. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle passes a snowball to teammate and halfback Frank Gifford, left, as they play around on a mound of snow at New York's Yankee Stadium on Dec. 24, 1963. The Giants play the Chicago Bears on Dec. 29 for the National Football League Championship. (AP Photo)
Disgruntled at his inability to score New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle walks off the field in Chicago on Dec. 29, 1963. Tittle's last-ditch pass had been intercepted by Bears to preserve 14-10 lead in National League playoff. (AP Photo)
Coach Allie Sherman of the New York Giants congratulates his quarterback, Y. A. Tittle, in New York's Yankee Stadium dressing room on Dec. 15, 1963. Tittle pitched his club to a national league eastern conference title over Pittsburgh Steelers, 33-17, with three record breaking touchdown passes. The New York club meets the bears in Chicago Dec. 29 for the national league title. (AP Photo)
Here's an airview of the crowd at Chicago's Wrigley Field on December 29, 1963 just before the start of the National Football League championship game between the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears. With the thermometer in the 10-degree vicinity, 45,801 fans watched the Bears win the title, 14-10. (AP Photo)
Y.A. Tittle the passer is the natural target for hostile linemen. Here some 755 pounds of Cleveland Browns -- Frank Parker (78) 255, Paul Wiggin (84) 245, Bill Glass (80) 255 -- bear down as Tittle gets off his pass on Nov. 12, 1963. (AP Photo/ Bob Goldberg)
Fans at the Giants vs Bears National Football League championship game bundled up against near-zero-weather at Chicago's Wrigley Field, Dec. 30, 1963. (AP Photo)
Laden down with luggage on arrival at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle stoops to autograph a football for three-year-old Joe Sambucci, Dec. 27, 1963. Giants play Chicago Bears Sunday in Wrigley Field for National Football League title. (AP Photo/Larry Stoddard)
Bleak Wrigley Field, covered with new snow, gets a warm-up crew in Chicago, Dec. 23, 1963. They're unloading devices which provide a hot air flow calculated to soften frozen playing field, now under tarpaulins, upper left. The New York Giants and the Chicago Bears will play for the NFL championship. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)
At end of Giants-Bears game Y.A. Tittle, New York quarterback, slams down helmet as he reaches bench on Dec. 29, 1963 in Chicago. His last-minute pass toward touchdown that would have reversed outcome of game was intercepted by Bears? Richie Petitbone and Bears championship game lead held, 14-10, since there was time for only one more play and Bears took over the ball. (AP Photo)
Allie Sherman, coach of the New York Giants, gestures towards the empty scoreboard as he talks with newsmen at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 28, 1963. The Giants will play the Chicago Bears tomorrow for the NFL championship. (AP Photo/Paul Cannon)
This trio of football fans in the stands of Chicago's Wrigley Field for the National Football League championship game between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, Dec. 29, 1963. The fans wore the popular face masks as temperatures hovered at the 10 degree mark. (AP Photo)
Allie Sherman, coach of the New York Giants, holds a handkerchief to his face for warmth as he stands on the cold sidelines at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., during the NFL championship game with the Chicago Bears, Dec. 29, 1963. (AP Photo)
Walter Payton, Chicago Bears running back, center, is stopped for no gain in the first quarter of game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 1977 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Making the stop are Giants Harry Carson, left, and Clyde Powers. Sleet and an icy field hampered Payton?s chances of breaking O.J. Simpson?s NFL single season rushing record. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Larry Csonka of the New York Giants finds an arm around his neck as he is stopped after a fourth quarter gain at Giants Stadium by Tom Hicks and Gary Fencik of the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 19, 1977 in East Rutherford. Csonka had his most productive day this season with 100 yards in 22 attempts. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
Chicago Bears Walter Payton, center, pushes his way between New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 18, 1977 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo)
Wide receiver Don Hermann (85) of the New York Giants is pulled down by linebacker Lee Roy Caffey (60) of the Chicago Bears in first quarter action in New York, Sept. 19, 1970. The Bears won, 24-13. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)
Chicago Bears middle-linebacker Mike Singletary (50) closes in on New York Giants George Adams (33) in an NFC playoff game in Chicago, Ill., on January 7, 1986. (AP Photo /John Swart)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears in this undated photo. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
New York Giants running back Joe Morris (20) is stopped by Chicago Bears Richard Dent (95) and William Perry (72), as Chicago's defense held the Giants to 32 yards in the Bears 21-0 win during NFC playoff action, Sunday, Jan. 5, 1986 in Chicago, Ill. (AP Photo/Charlie Bennett)
New York Giants running back Joe Morris (20) makes short gain during NFC playoff, first half action against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 5, 1986. Bears defensive end Richard Dent (95) and line backer Otis Wilson (55) attempt to catch him as Giant guard Bill Ard (61) blocks. (AP Photo)
Chicago Bears Brad Muster (25) is stopped for a loss on fourth down by New York Giants John Washington (73) during a goal-line stand in the second quarter at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, Jan. 13, 1991. The Bears failure to score was the beginning of a string of frustrations for Chicago. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants' quarterback Jeff Hostetler celebrates after throwing a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stephen Baker. Hostetler later ran for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, Jan. 13, 1991. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson (24) carries the ball during the Giants' NFC divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears Jan. 13, 1991 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells receives a cooler full of Gatorade over his head by Giants players Everson Walls (28) and Carl Banks (58) as time runs out in the Giants 31-3 victory over the Chicago Bears at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, Jan. 13, 1991. To right of Parcells are Giants Pepper Johnson (52) and Lawrence Taylor (56). (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler does a little scrambling to avoid Chicago Bears Steve McMichael (rear) and Trace Armstrong (93) during third quarter action in NFL playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 14, 1991 at Giants Stadium, Rutherford. The giants won 31-3 behind Hostetler. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Everson Walls of the New York Giants breaks up a pass to Ron Morris of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Jan. 13, 1991. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Quarterbacks Mike Tomczak of the Chicago Bears, left, and Jeff Hostetler of the New York Giants chat together as they leave the field after NFL playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 14, 1991 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford. The Giants won 31-3 behind Hostetler, who started for the injured Phil Simms. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Ottis "O.J." Anderson (24) is stopped by Chicago Bears' William "The Refrigerator" Perry in the third quarter of the NFC playoff game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Jan. 14, 1991. The Giants won 31-3. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
Players from the New York Giants and Chicago Bears kneel in prayer at midfield following their NFC playoff game Sunday, Jan. 14, 1991 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. The players were praying for American armed forces involved in Operation Desert Shield. In the game, the Giants won 31-3. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Running back Rodney Hampton (27) of the New York Giants is grabbed around the waist by linebacker Dante Jones (53) of the Chicago Bears as Richard Dent (95) left, prepares to finish him off at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 5, 1993. Hampton lost six yards on the play. (AP Photo/John Swart)
New York Giants wide receiver Ed McCaffrey is tackled after an eight-yard gain by Chicago Bears defenders Chris Zorich, rear, and Anthony Blaylock, right, during the second quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sept. 5, 1993. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) scrambles for yardage against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 22, 1992. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants head coach Dan Reeves, left, and quarterback Phil Simms, watch David Treadwell kick a field goal in the first quarter during their game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 5, 1993 in Chicago. Simms lead the team 57-yards to set up the field goal. He completed 24-34 for 277 yards as the Giants defeat. (AP Photo/John Swart)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) sets to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter in Chicago, Sept. 5, 1993. Simms completed 24 of 34 passes for 277 yards as the Giants beat the Bears 26-20. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton waves while attending a game between the Chicago Bears and New York Giants in Chicago, Sept. 22, 1992. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, right, sits next to the candidate. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New York Giants' Keith Elias (25) flips over the goal line to score during the fourth quarter in Chicago, Ill., Aug. 27, 1994. The Bears won 27-21, to go undefeated in pre-season play. (AP Photo/Tim Boyle)
New York Giants Lawrence Taylor (56) in action during a game against the Chicago Bears on September 5, 1993 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Giants beat the Bears 26-20. Lawrence Taylor was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
Chicago Bears quarterback Cade McNown is caught by New York Giants linebacker Jessie Armstead and sacked for a nine-yard loss during the third quarter on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants, Michael Strahan (92) during a game against the Chicago Bears on September 17, 2000 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Giants beat the Bears 14-7. Michael Strahan played for 15 years all with the Giants. He was a 7-time Pro Bowler and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman (8) scrambles with the ball as New York Giants defensive tackle William Joseph (94) approaches him in the second quarter of their football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants' defensive end Michael Strahan (92) reacts after sacking Chicago Bears' quarterback Craig Krenzel in the second quarter of play on Sunday November, 7, 2004 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. Strahan will miss the rest of the Giants' season with a torn pectoral muscle. Strahan, the NFL's all-time single-season sacks leader, was hurt in the third quarter of a 28-21 loss to the Chicago Bears (AP Photo/Michael Kim)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (21) breaks free of a tackle by Chicago Bears defenders in the first quarter of their football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday,Nov. 12, 2006.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (21) gets tackled by Chicago Bears corner back Jerry Azumah (23) in the first quarter of play on Sunday, November, 7, 2004, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Michael Kim)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber lands in the end zone for a touchdown past Chicago Bears safety Tony Parrish (37) during the third quarter on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Coming in to help is Giants tackle Luke Petitgout (77). (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants receiver Ron Dixon (86), celebrates with teammates Amani Toomer (81) and Howard Cross after making a touchdown reception in h irst quarter against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
New York Giants' Sam Madison, left, sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, center, with the help of Osi Umenyiora (72) and Michael Strahan during the second quarter of a football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jerry Lia)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, and head coach Tom Coughlin celebrate as officials confirm teammate Amani Toomer's fourth-quarter touchdown catch during a football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 in Chicago. The Giants defeated the Bears, 21-16. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
New York Giants running back Derrick Ward is forced out of bounds at the 1-yard line by Chicago Bears' Charles Tillman (33), Adewale Ogunleye, and Danieal Manning (38) during the second quarter of n NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jerry Lia)
New York Giants' Eli Manning gives suveniers to fans after a football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
New York Giants' Amani Toomer (81) holds up the football after making a touchdown reception, as Chicago Bears' Brandon McGowan (36) and Brian Urlacher (54) argue that the ball hit the ground during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. The play was reviewed and the call on the field was upheld for a touchdown. The Giants won 21-16. (AP Photo/Jerry Lai)
New York Giants quarterback celebrates teammate Reuben Droughns' two-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter of a football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Chicago. The Giants defeated the Bears, 21-16. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is tackled by New York Giants' Chris Canty (99) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bears lost the game 17-3. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 17-3. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, hits Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, right, to break up a pass attempt during the first quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie, as Giants linebacker Michael Boley (59) looks on during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 17-3. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
In this photo taken Oct. 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, N.J., Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, during the second quarter of an NFL football game. Cutler took several hard hits while getting sacked nine times in the game and suffering a concussion. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, right, is sacked by New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross (31) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2013, file photo, New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) pushes on the helmet of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago. Rolle was penalized 15-yards for unnecessary roughness on the play. Almost once a game, an NFL player absorbs an illegal blow to the head or neck that could put his career, or worse, at risk. The NFL has been trying to prevent such blows over the past four years, targeting improper technique and making it a point of emphasis to penalize and fine players for hits that leave themselves and their opponents vulnerable. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, NOV. 2-3 - FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2013, file photo, Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) gets tackled by New York Giants linebackers Jacquian Williams (57) and Allen Bradford (59) during the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago. In the 10 quarters since the Giants trailed 24-14 at halftime against the Bears, the Giants have given up three points on defense and notched their first two wins of the season, making the bye week tolerable. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
New York Giants quaterbavk Eli Manning (10) calls signals a TD during a week 6 Thursday night football game against the Chicago Bears on October 10, 2013 in Chicago,IL (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2016, file photo, New York Giants strong safety Landon Collins (21) celebrates after intercepting a pass by the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, in East Rutherford, N.J. In 2016, Giants' Landon Collins went from one of the NFL’s most promising young defensive players to one of its best. Dave Merritt, the Giants’ safeties coach, thinks the 23-year-old year has room to grow, a lot of room. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) reacts after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) slows his forward motion after catching a pass for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) waves to fans as he leaves the field after playing against the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 22-16. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
