Vikings, Giants Shed Slow Starts, Move Into Playoff Position

(AP) — The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are in position to pull off remarkable turnarounds.

The Giants have bounced back from an 0-5 start to the season and are now tied for first place with Washington in the NFC East after winning five of the past seven games. The Giants swept the season series from Washington so they have the inside track at the division title if they can maintain this level of play down the stretch.

Of the 110 teams that started a season 0-5 in the Super Bowl era before this year, none made the playoffs so the Giants would be quite the outlier.

There is at least some precedent for what the Vikings (6-6) are trying to do. Minnesota has won five of six following a…