updated 12:22 p.m. ET Dec. 15, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The last time the New York Giants faced the Washington Redskins, coach Tom Coughlin’s team was seemingly on the brink of a memorable, if not miserable, season.

Forgotten about that?

It was the third week of the season and New York was off to an 0-2 start and facing the undefeated Redskins in Washington. It was the doomsday scenario, and an embattled Coughlin appeared halfway out the door with New York trailing 17-3 at halftime.

How things have changed, for both teams.

As the teams prepare to meet at Giants Stadium on Sunday night with three weeks left in the regular season, the Giants (9-4) are on the cusp of making the playoffs for the third straight year.

Washington (6-7) seemingly needs to win out to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight year in a season marred by the tragic shooting death of Redskins Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor late last month in Miami.

“We are not worried about them clinching the playoffs,” Redskins halfback Clinton Portis said. “We are trying to get into the playoffs. So if they get a win and we get a loss, then they kind of screw up our playoff chances. We are more worried about us getting into the playoffs than them.”

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The Giants can clinch at least a wild-card berth with a win Sunday or losses by both Minnesota (7-6) and New Orleans (6-7).

A win in any of their final three games will get New York into the postseason. Two wins or the combination of a Giants’ win and Minnesota loss will guarantee that they will get the NFC’s top wild-card berth, and likely a game against Tampa Bay (8-5) instead of Seattle (9-4).

However, the Giants realize beating the Redskins won’t be easy. New York had to rally to post a 24-17 win on Sept. 23 in a game that ended with the Giants staging a goal-line stand in the final minute to avoid overtime.

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“They’re a good team and they’ll give us a run for our money,” Giants receiver Amani Toomer said. “Last time, we were down a bunch and came back to beat them. We’re not taking them lightly at all.”

The Giants also are wary about the game because it’s at home. While the winners of six in a row on the road, New York is 3-3 at home. The team was blown out in its last home two games, being embarrassed by Dallas and Minnesota.

“We’re going to come out and prove that we can play well at home,” halfback Brandon Jacobs said. “We’re going to prove that this is our stadium and we can win here.”

The players know the fans aren’t happy.

“It’s not very comfortable to hear boos from your fans,” offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie said. “Who wants to have the home crowd booing you?”

The September game also marked a turnaround for the Redskins, who were 30 minutes from a 3-0 start.

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