Steve Serby
The Drive for Five is in overdrive now around the Giants, an insatiable hunger and unquenchable thirst for an historic repeat and One for the Thumb, a prestigious fifth Super Bowl ring.
If there is any team capable of becoming the first to successfully defend its crown since the Patriots in the 2004 season, it is this one.
They have to make the playoffs first, of course, and there are no guarantees they will be able to hold destiny in their hands when the RG3 Redskins, whose phenom rookie quarterback (mild knee ligament sprain) will limp on water if he can't walk on it, suddenly have the look of destiny's darlings, and the Cowboys, stricken with grief over the DUI tragedy that cost practice-squad linebacker Jerry Brown his life, displayed character in the face of adversity and refuse to go away.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Eli Manning
I'm aware of the treacherous three-game schedule that confronts the Giants, as well as their well-documented history of second-half collapses under Tom Coughlin on occasions other than Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.
But I'm shoving my chips to the middle of the table — this team is going to the playoffs.
And don't be surprised if this team is hoisting the Lombardi Trophy again.
WHY THE GIANTS CAN
THE QUARTERBACK: Eli Manning has remembered how to throw touchdown passes. He has thrown seven in the past two games, evidence his arm is no longer tired. If big brother Peyton gets the Broncos to the Super Bowl in their hometown of New Orleans, he'd like to join the party. If Mr. Clutch gets hot, he can carry the franchise.
THE COACH: If there is a Patton or Churchill quote that Coughlin hasn't used, he'll find it. Living proof that 66 is the new 65. Still driven after all these years. Will not let his team rest. Everyone snickered when Wellington Mara likened him to Lombardi. There's only one Lombardi. But Coughlin is the only Giants head coach with a chance to win a third Super Bowl. If there is a reason why complacency has not reared its ugly head, it's him.
LEADERSHIP: Coughlin has as good a core as Joe Torre had with his Yankees dynasty. Manning, Coughlin's Derek Jeter, commands universal respect because of the way he goes about his business on the field and in the meeting rooms. Peyton's intensity has sometimes been both a blessing and a curse, but no one has ever considered Eli a control freak. Justin Tuck and Antrel Rolle lead in different ways, but everyone follows. Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Canty, Chase Blackburn, Osi Umenyiora, Corey Webster, Chris Snee, David Diehl, Michael Boley, Zak DeOssie ... all leaders in their own right.
THE CAVALRY: Rookie David Wilson's emergence comes at a time when Ahmad Bradshaw continues to drag his battered and bruised body into battle. With his kickoff-return prowess, Wilson appears ready to get Manning better field position than he's ever had. And now that Wilson can pick up a safety blitz, Coughlin will do backflips if the rookie can give Manning the kind of explosive plays he no longer can expect consistently from a hobbled Hakeem Nicks.
BIG BLUE: The run defense has been soft, and the Ravens' Ray Rice is on the horizon. Stop the run and have some fun again rushing the passer. "We just have to make the concerted effort in all three phases — offense, defense and special teams — play together with that purpose and that energy and we'll put our best performance out there on the field," Canty said. "And the good thing about it is it hasn't happened yet, so we can look forward to it happening and we need that to be sooner rather than later." Dog Mentality Time.
WHY THE GIANTS CAN'T
HEALTH: Nicks (knee) can still be a factor, but he can't be his dynamic self, which means more attention on Victor Cruz. If Bradshaw (knee) is limited or diminished, Wilson becomes the last man standing. A lack of balance would be a detriment to Manning's deadly play-action game. And Prince Amukamara (hamstring) has to stay on the field with Falcons wideouts Julio Jones and Roddy White up next.
THE SCHEDULE: The Giants have road games in Atlanta and Baltimore before finishing at home against the Eagles. The Redskins have road games at Cleveland and Philadelphia and finish at home against the Cowboys. The Cowboys are home for the Steelers and Saints and finish on the road against the Redskins.
But once the Giants are in, the NFL has learned they're ALL IN.
steve.serby@nypost.com
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