The Giants (5-5) were idle this past week, but they enjoyed the bye nonetheless, thanks to wins by Tampa Bay (5-5) and Carolina (10-0). The Bucs, who the Giants defeated in Tampa two weeks ago, went to Philadelphia (4-6) on Sunday, and blew out the Eagles, 45-17. Meanwhile, the Panthers stayed undefeated with a blowout win of their own, 44-16 over Washington (4-6).
Those two losses mean the Giants come off the bye with a full game lead over Philly and Washington in the NFC East. Big Blue visits the Redskins on Sunday in a pivotal division matchup. Meanwhile, the Eagles have a short week as they visit the Lions (3-7) on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys (3-7) also play in their annual Thanksgiving contest. Dallas hosts Carolina in the afternoon game.
With Week 11 of the NFL regular season in the books, Giants.com takes a look at power rankings coming in from outlets across the country:
NYG: 9
Movement: Up 1
NFC East: No. 9 Giants, No. 20 Cowboys, No. 22 Washington, No. 24 Eagles
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Bengals, Broncos
Comments: Week 11 was an off week for the Giants, who are in first place in the sad-sack NFC East, for now. The key to New York being there (and staying there): the contributions of many bit parts, like the oft-forgotten Rueben Randle, Orleans Darkwa, Uani 'Unga, Damontre Moore and someone of the slightly bigger name variety, Shane Vereen. Next up: a big one, at Washington, which brings a chance to create space in the division.
NYG: 11
Movement: None
NFC East: No. 11 Giants, No. 20 Cowboys, No. 22 Washington, No. 23 Eagles
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Broncos, Packers
Comments: The NFC East is there for the taking as the Giants return from their bye, having had extra time to recover from their near-miss loss to the Patriots that probably should have been an unlikely victory. They'll need Jason Pierre-Paul to be a pass-rushing difference-maker on defense for the rest of the season.
NYG: 14
Movement: Up 1
NFC East: No. 14 Giants, No. 16 Cowboys, No. 21 Eagles, No. 24 Washington
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Bengals, Broncos
Comments: The Giants schedule is not easy down the stretch. They probably can't afford to drop Sunday's game at Washington, especially with the Cowboys becoming a factor again.
NYG: 10
Movement: Up 2
NFC East: No. 10 Giants, No. 19 Cowboys, No. 22 Washington, No. 23 Eagles
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Bengals, Broncos
Comments: They've only failed to score at least 24 points twice. That's not likely to change in Washington Sunday.
PRO FOOTBALL TALK
NYG: 11
Movement: Up 4
NFC East: No. 11 Giants, No. 19 Cowboys, No. 25 Washington, No. 26 Eagles
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Bengals, Packers
Comments: The Week One debacle could end up haunting Tom Coughlin after Week 17.
NYG: 15
Movement: Down 5
NFC East: No. 15 Giants, No. 20 Washington, No. 21 Cowboys, No. 25 Eagles
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Broncos, Cardinals, Bengals
Comments: At 5-5, the Giants still lead the NFC East. But because of blown fourth-quarter leads in four of five losses, their lead is a lot slimmer than what it could be.
NYG: 10
Movement: None
NFC East: No. 10 Giants, No. 18 Cowboys, No. 19 Washington, No. 26 Eagles
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Bengals, Steelers
Comments: Coming out of the bye week, the Giants need to establish a running game to avoid becoming one dimensional when the weather turns cold.
NYG: 12
Movement: Up 2
NFC East: No. 12 Giants, No. 17 Cowboys, No. 23 Eagles, No. 24 Washington
NFL Top 5: Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Bengals, Broncos
Comments: They come off their bye with a division road game at Washington. They are in first place, but the schedule gets tough down the stretch.
Photos from Monday's Giants Practice

CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE

WR DWAYNE HARRIS

WR DWAYNE HARRIS

WR GEREMY DAVIS

WR ODELL BECKHAM

WR MYLES WHITE, CB TREVIN WADE


QB ELI MANNING, QB RYAN NASSIB


WR HAKEEM NICKS

QB ELI MANNING

TACKLE EMMETT CLEARY, TACKLE MARSHALL NEWHOUSE





TACKLE EMMETT CLEARY, TACKLE MARSHALL NEWHOUSE

WR GEREMY DAVIS, CB JAYRON HOSLEY