Tuck: Giants can't seem to shake mental lapses this season

The New York Giants should thank their lucky stars. Not many teams can lose four straight games and still find themselves in the thick of the playoff race.

Yet that's where the Giants are, thanks to losses by several NFC postseason contenders in Week 13. Now New York has to figure out a way to replicate the strong effort it put forth in a 38-35 loss to the Green Bay Packers, starting with a huge NFC East showdown against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

"Physically I think we can play with anybody in the country," Tuck said on Monday, according to Newsday. "Mentally I think sometimes we have those lapses. Why? I don't know."

Tuck is referring to the mysterious funks that have slowed the Giants this season. Losing on a last-second field goal to the undefeated reigning Super Bowl champions is one thing. Getting their doors blown off in New Orleans or pulling a no-show at home against the Vince Young-led Eagles team is something entirely different.

"What kept me up was I know the Saints are a great football team, but no one would say that the Saints are better than the Packers," Tuck said. "So how did we come out one week and play like we did (in New Orleans) then and come out this week and play like we did then?"

These are questions that start at the top, meaning Giants coach Tom Coughlin must find a way to get his team to play consistently on a weekly basis. If not, his career with the Giants is likely over.