The surprising win over the Seahawks is a sign that the Giants are on the right track

The Giants had no business in this game, nothing.

Not because of the loss to the Cowboys a week ago. Not when they had to fly across the country to Seattle. Not without their best offensive player Malik Nabersor second best in Devin Singletary.

The Seahawks should have finished off the Giants — if the buses to Seattle-Tacoma Airport had warmed up at halftime. That's what conventional wisdom told you.

Instead, the Giants defeated the Seahawks 29-20. They were the more physical team. The more willing team. The better trained team.

Want a sign that this team is on the right track? That's it.

The Giants are far from a Super Bowl contender. It's unlikely they'll make a realistic playoff push. They're probably the fourth-best team in their division unless the Eagles continue to implode in a way that makes their roster talent irrelevant.

Furthermore, it could be difficult to achieve victories. They are still rebuilding. You look to teams in the Giants' position for signs that they are progressing, improving, and not stagnating in their development. This includes the staff who recruit players and build the squad, right through to the coaches who develop these boys.

Sunday was everything you'd hoped for – tangible proof that what they're doing is working.

The Giants' offensive line has long been this team's biggest weakness. GM Joe Schoen let Saquon Barkley As a free agent, he freelanced largely because it gave him the financial flexibility to supply the front line with talent.

The thought: The offense would lose a playmaker like Barkley, but the improved front five would lead to more production from Barkley's backup and quarterback Daniel Jones.

The Seahawks had three sacks, but one came when Jones was tackled at the line of scrimmage. Tyrone Tracya rookie drafted in the fifth round ran for 129 yards on 18 carries (7.2 per). Jones completed 23 of 34 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 38 yards. Wan'Dale Robinson caught another six passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Darius Slayton had eight for 122 and a score.

Schoen invested draft picks and money into the defensive line to make it one of the wildest in the NFL. Dexter Lawrence had three bags, Brian Burns had one on fourth down and Kayvon Thibodeaux half a sack was credited.

The Giants dominated in yards (420 to 333) and time of possession (37:22 to 22:38). They sealed the game with a blocked field goal (Isaiah Simmons) they returned for a touchdown (Bryce Ford Wheaton) with less than a minute to play as the Seahawks try to tie the game.

The Giants are building their culture as well as their roster. Teams that are directionless and rudderless lose this game. They show up, get blown away, collect their checks and head home.

You read stories about former Giants receivers Golden Tate When a player retires, they have their golf clubs in their locker. This behavior becomes standard.

The Giants were down with their two best offensive players (Nabers, Singletary) and it didn't matter, they imposed their will against Seattle.

There will be times this season where the Giants are simply at a talent disadvantage and therefore lose, but moments like this are why you should be optimistic about the talent catching up.

The Giants shouldn't have won this game.

The fact that they did it? It means everything.