The Giants wasted a chance to beat the flawed Cowboys. The Seahawks show up. How much worse can it get?

The Giants regrouped over the weekend after failing to defeat the flawed Cowboys on Thursday night.

But as they return to East Rutherford earlier this week, their reality remains the same, at 1-3: Brian Daboll’s torrid third season could be much worse – in a hurry.

That’s why blowing the chance to beat Dallas was so huge, especially since the Giants had just come away with a hard-fought victory in Cleveland. Then they immediately dispelled all the good vibes.

Yes, they have a clear advantage over the Seahawks, who lost 42-29 on Monday night in Detroit, dropping them to 3-1.

But it’s a long trip to Seattle – playing against a legitimate team in difficult conditions. And the Giants may be without their best (only?) offensive weapon, prized rookie winger Malik Nabers (concussion).

After Seattle, the Giants’ six-game stretch concludes with home games against the Bengals and Eagles, followed by a Monday night matchup with the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

The Bengals (1-3) didn’t do great. However, Joe Burrow and Co. remains a challenge. The Eagles (2-2) have plenty of warts. However, they are clearly more talented than the Giants, and Saquon Barkley will be very motivated to lead his entire old team. And the Steelers are about 3-1.

So will 1-3 turn into 1-7 for Daboll’s Giants after October 0-4? It’s certainly possible. And then what? Mid-season layoff?

The Giants started November seemingly on a milder note, but the Commanders shock the NFL with a 3-1 record. (The Giants could have drafted Jayden Daniels, but last year they had four meaningless wins in their last seven games.) The Panthers in Munich should still be a winnable game.

The Giants have a bye after this trip in Week 11. Will Daboll still be their coach?

There’s a lot of football happening between now and then.

But their wiggle room – or at least what they earned in Cleveland – had already vanished as they failed to beat the desperate Cowboys to improve to 2-2. They may have to face Seattle, which started Pro Football Focus’s top-rated defense on Monday – without Nabers.

Bottom line: Bill Belichick’s watch is on.

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Darryl Slater can be contacted at [email protected].