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Even though the Giants hired John Harbaugh, there were not many great expectations for how they would fare this season from outside the building.
Indeed, the Giants thus far have been favored in only one game — Week 3 vs. the Titans — even though they defy the odds on a near-weekly basis and at 3-1-1 are alone in first place in the NFC East heading into Sunday’s home game with the Saints.
The Saints are 1-4, with three consecutive losses in New Orleans, and yet the Giants are a 1.5-point underdog.
“They have a very good offensive team and we’ll be challenged by this offense, but our guys are up to the task and we love playing at MetLife Stadium and being underdogs,’’ defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said.
Why is that?
“Everybody counts us out,’’ Wilson said. “We like playing with a chip on our shoulder. That’s what it is.’’
The Giants were also underdogs at home to the bottom-dwelling Cardinals. They are 4-1 against the point spread this season.
If Malik Nabers gets at least four receptions, he will surpass Puka Nacua for the second-most receptions in his first 25 games in NFL history. Nacua had 159 catches in his first 25 games. Nabers has 156 in his first 24 games. Only Odell Beckham Jr. (176) had more receptions in his first 25 games.
Jermaine Eluemunor (calf) is listed as questionable. He has not missed a game this season at right tackle but he was forced out last week after 44 snaps, giving way to Marcus Mbow to play the last 45 snaps on offense in the 27-27 tie with the Commanders.
Mbow, a 2025 fifth-round pick out of Purdue, started three games as a rookie (one at left tackle, two at right tackle) and worked with the starters this past week, which will be beneficial if he has to again sub in for Eluemunor.
“It’s a lot more helpful because you’re getting those reps during the week,’’ Mbow told The Post. “You’re seeing the plays we’re going to be running and getting to go through them and having less hesitation. There’s definitely a lot more beneficial in situations like that, but I understand how it goes.’’
J.J. McCarthy’s arrival onto the field last week was much ado about very little. He got in for five snaps as what offensive coordinator Matt Nagy called “a change of pace’’ look for the opposing defense. McCarthy ran the ball twice for negligible returns [2 yards] and threw two passes that were wiped out by penalties. It sounds as if this specialized package is here to stay.
“We can’t be predictable with it when we use him and when we’re going to do it, but he needs to stay with it,’’ Nagy said. “That can be an advantage for us.’’ … The Giants usually activate three tight ends. With Theo Johnson (neck) out for this game, second-year Thomas Fidone is next on the depth chart. Fidone played 16 special teams snaps last week vs. the Commanders.