Tom Coughlin: 'There isn't a whole lot of margin for error'

Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants understand what time of year it is in the NFL. It is make or break time, and in recent years the defending champion Giants have ended up on both sides of the fence.

Right now they own a one-game leader over the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East with three games to play.

"It certainly does sharpen your focus when you know that there isn't a whole lot of margin for error here," Coughlin said.

Heading to the Georgia Dome to face the 11-2 Atlanta Falcons the Giants have little room for any mistakes.

"We'll call upon our veteran leaders. The main thing that we need to do is develop consistency in our play and all three levels continuing to support and contribute and not to have one of those days where we step back in an area," Coughlin said. "They will understand it for sure. They [the players] will understand, they feel it, they sense it."

Question is, can the Giants once again -- as they did last season -- run off a late-season surge and get into position to defend their title?