Coughlin’s job on the line, but Giants still can win NFC East

Never is it easy to call for a coach's job, especially when he's a two-time Super Bowl winner. Tom Coughlin has put himself and the New York Giants in a tough spot, however, and there's no doubt his job is on the line.

The Giants are 5-7 and in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. In five of the losses, they blew fourth-quarter leads, mostly because either Coughlin or quarterback Eli Manning melted down in simple game-management situations. The defense has broken down, too. There is plenty of blame to spread around.

The New York media are targeting Coughlin as the problem, and while media members criticizing NFL coaches is cliche, there is no denying the Giants are facing a big issue with their 69-year-old coach.

When he should gamble, he gets conservative. When he should be conservative, he gambles. Coughlin does not make the smartest decisions based on analytics, plus his football sense is fading, and there are numerous examples previous to this season. The Giants' overtime loss to the Jets last week served as the latest depressing example.

But there might be a bright side to the story. The Giants are in a three-way tie for first in the NFC East, only because the division is dreadful, and there still is a shot to reach the postseason and get Coughlin off the hook. It must start Monday in Miami against the Dolphins.

Considering the Dolphins are 1-6 against the spread in their past seven home games, it's not a bad place for the Giants' comeback to start.

Both quarterbacks — Manning and Miami's Ryan Tannehill — can be flaky and inconsistent, but Manning usually responds when backed against the wall, and that's where he stands after three straight losses.

The Dolphins rank 27th in the league in scoring offense and have not scored more than 20 points in a game since Oct. 25. The Giants rank seventh in scoring offense (25.6 points per game) mostly because of their passing attack and the big-play ability of Odell Beckham Jr.

What the Giants have lacked is a rushing attack, and getting something established on the ground will be a priority. Despite the hyped offseason addition of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Miami ranks 30th in run defense — only Cleveland and New Orleans are worse — by allowing 134.8 yards per game.

Almost all numbers indicate the Giants are the stronger team, and an argument can be made they should be an eight-win team right now. With more to play for and motivated by a losing skid that might cost Coughlin his job, this is a favorable situation.

"We're all sick of losing," Coughlin said this week.

I lost with the Giants the past two weeks, and I'm sick of it, too, but I'll give them another shot in this spot as 1-point favorites. And here are four more picks for Week 14 (home team in CAPS):

• Steelers (+3) over BENGALS: Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted three times in the first meeting, a 16-10 win by the Bengals on Nov. 1. But Roethlisberger is in rhythm with his talented receiving corps again, leading the Pittsburgh offense to 75 points the past two weeks. It's a big game in terms of the postseason race, but the must-win theory is not a major factor in this bet. The Steelers are 4-1 in their past five games at Cincinnati.

• Redskins (+3½) over BEARS: Jay Cutler has had his moments this season, but not many at Soldier Field. Chicago is 1-5 at home with a two-point victory over Oakland. This line is slightly inflated because of how poorly Washington played Monday. Asking the Bears to win a home game by more than a field goal is actually asking a lot.

• Chargers (+10½) over CHIEFS: Kansas City has won and covered six straight, causing inflation in this line. The Chargers are ugly 'dogs, and not many bettors will be attracted to their side, but Philip Rivers is not the type of quarterback to mail it in. San Diego has been flat at home yet did cover its past three road games.

• Cowboys (+7) over PACKERS: It's probably fantasy, but Dallas still can win the NFC East. So there is incentive for the Cowboys, who won their past two on the road. Outside linebacker Sean Lee is leading an improved Dallas defense that allowed a total of 40 points in the past three road games. That defense should hold up against Aaron Rodgers and a Green Bay offense that has been out of sync most of the season.

Last week: 2-3 against the spread

Season: 31-31-3

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports betting columnist Matt Youmans can be reached at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. He co-hosts "The Las Vegas Sportsline" weekdays at 2 p.m. on ESPN Radio (1100 AM). On Twitter: @mattyoumans247