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Eli Manning and the Giants aren't officially out of the playoff race.

(Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)

Hopefully everyone’s anger has tapered off and the idea of turkey, football and family spawned off-the-charts optimism. If not, it might be best to stop reading here. This is for the eternal optimists only, or those looking for a good laugh.

Sure, the Giants' playoff outlook is bleak, significantly bleaker than it was last week before suffering a crushing loss to the rival Dallas Cowboys. But I'm here to provide cheer before the holiday.

Here's how the Giants can still make the playoffs:

New York Giants

Obviously the Giants (4-7) have to win out. They're hopeless if they finished tied with the Eagles or Cowboys because of division, conference and head-to-head records. So, the Giants handle a struggling RG3 and the Redskins, beat the inconsistent Chargers the following week, catch the Seahawks flying cross country in a letdown game the week after they battle San Francisco, take care of the predictably crumbling Lions and manhandle RG3 for a second time. Boom! There you have it, 9-7, behind a resurgent Eli Manning, who throws 15 touchdowns passes with no interceptions. Hey, why not? He is taking care of the ball better of late.

Dallas Cowboys

Remember, these are Tony Romo's Cowboys (6-5). They know how to falter late in the season like it's their business. Dallas wins at home this week against the Raiders. Even they can't mess that up, I think. But then they lose to Chicago and Green Bay – against a healthy Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers, respectively – before beating the completely derailed Redskins. Then with everything on the line, at home in a do-or-die season finale, the Cowboys lose to the Eagles. Of course, Romo throws away that game in the final seconds, too. The Cowboys finish at 8-8 and miss the playoffs. This actually sounds reasonable.

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Philadelphia Eagles

So much for that Nick Foles magic carpet ride. Chip Kelly and the Eagles (6-5) hit a road block beginning this week. They fall to the fast-charging Cardinals and can't handle the passing attack of the Lions the following week. Foles and Co. do get a win in Minnesota in Week 15, but lose another crucial game at home to Chicago the following Sunday. That would make them a dreadful 1-7 at home this season, and leave their win in Dallas Week 17 for nothing more than pride. But at least the high-flying Chippas have pride. They won't have a playoff spot at 8-8. The NFC East crown will belong to the Giants.

You can see it happening, right? No problem. After all, these are the Giants.