Are the Giants on the verge of another title run?

The similarities between then and now are eerie.

Four years ago, the Giants launched an improbable championship run.

They started out the season strong, going 6-2 before slumping late in the season.

ICONCan Manning put together another Super Bowl run in New York this post season?

Head coach Tom Coughlin’s job was in jeopardy, and few saw this wildcard team making a deep playoff run.

With a playoff spot locked up, Coughlin could have rested his starters during Week 17. Instead he put the pedal to the medal while hosting the undefeated Patriots.

The Giants did not win the game, but they put up a tremendous fight, losing 38-35. New York even led, 28-23, going into the fourth quarter.

That strong effort is credited with helping fuel the momentum toward a playoff run, which included three straight road wins, an overtime victory and a Super Bowl upset against the same undefeated Patriots.

This year, the Giants blazed out of the gates, starting 6-2 before losing three straight. Facing another late-season collapse, Coughin was on the hot seat once again.

Then the Giants hosted the undefeated Packers in Week 13. The Giants would lose the game but showed impressive fight, giving the Packers their most difficult game to date (at that point) before falling, 38-35. New York even led, 28-24, going into the final quarter.

That strong showing helped the Giants post a late-season run, including two wins against the Cowboys and one against the cross-town rival Jets.

Because of that 3-1 finish, the Giants reached the playoffs and likely saved Coughlin’s job.

Could the Giants once again win three straight playoff games and perhaps beat the once-undefeated favorite in a rematch?

The major difference between the Giants squads is that the 2007 version had a much better running game, which helped during cold January contests.

This year’s team is also led by Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, but age and injuries have limited them. As a result the Giants have the NFL’s worst run offense. In 2007 they had the fourth-ranked unit.

Another reason for the disparity is that the 2007 team featured one of the NFL’s best OL units. This year’s O-line is older, less adept and does not have C Shaun O’Hara.

The current New York team also has a weaker LB corps, which could use an Antonio Pierce-like leader and tackler.

The hallmarks of both teams, though, were their strong and deep pass rushes. The 2011 team lacks future Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, but it does have Jason Pierre-Paul. The raw, second-year player has 16.5 sacks, 86 tackles and loads of potential.

And DEs Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora returning to health should further fortify the Giants’ strength.

QB Eli Manning no longer has reliable end zone target, WR Plaxico Burress, but he does have a great deep threat in WR Victor Cruz.

The 2011 team has an advantage over the Super Bowl-winning team at that QB position. Although Manning had an awesome and spectacularly clutch playoff run, which featured three straight, fourth quarter comebacks including a helmet-catch-led-Super-Bowl drive, his regular season was pedestrian.

In 2007 he had a 56.1 completion percentage, 3,336 yards, 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Contrast that to his present 61, 4,933, 29 and 16 numbers. With six fourth quarter comebacks, Manning has proven to be the “elite” quarterback he called himself before the season.

Even with Manning’s advancement, the Giants have been remarkably inconsistent this year. So it is difficult to tell how their playoff run will play out.

But one thing’s for sure, they are a team that no one — perhaps especially the previously undefeated Packers — would want to draw.

Jeff Fedotin has written for Packers.com, Pro Football Weekly, ESPN The Magazine, the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World and Rivals.com. After graduating from Northwestern University, he interned for the Buffalo Bills.