"It has all gone so terribly wrong so terribly fast that the Giants barely know what hit them as they try to arise from their stumbles for the regular-season finale against the Redskins.

The Giants need help (the Bears beating the Packers) to get into the playoffs, but must help themselves by accomplishing something that at this point almost seems unattainable:

Win one game.

"Two weeks ago when we played Philly, I'm thinking we're gonna win the NFC East and now we're in a situation where we might not even make the playoffs," tight end Kevin Boss said yesterday. "I think we're all still hopeful we'll take care of our business and get some help from Chicago and we'd love to see Philly again in the playoffs. But it did change pretty quickly."

he only way for the Giants to change it back and make it right starts with finding a way to beat a 6-9 Redskins team finishing up another losing season. Here are five Giants players who need to make a difference:

MARIO MANNINGHAM: Once again, he's the last receiver standing. Steve Smith and now Hakeem Nicks have fallen by the wayside and Manningham represents the only remaining big-play threat for Eli Manning. The Giants have played two games without Nicks and Smith, and in victories over the Jaguars and Redskins, Manningham as the main weapon totaled five catches for 97 yards and one touchdown. He'll no doubt see a steady diet of cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who has six interceptions this season."