There's a method to Brian Daboll's coaching madness

If you're a Giants fan, you're probably not thrilled with how little head coach Brian Daboll opens the door to his or his team's soul.

You have a better chance of getting Bill Belichick to talk about his current love life than you do of getting Daboll to show much outward emotion – before, during or after games.

One of his catchphrases when asked about his team is that he would rather keep it “in-house.”

Like it or not, this is one method for Daboll's head coaching madness. He makes it a point to maintain a level-headedness that permeates his locker room, preventing his players from experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions that can often distract them from the task at hand.

What Daboll does in the meeting rooms, on the practice field and at games should matter most. This is where he builds his players and coaches.

Through five less than perfect games this season – the Giants are 2-3 heading into Sunday night's big swing game against the Bengals at MetLife Stadium – Daboll has made a difference for this team.

A positive difference.

His game plans in wins in Cleveland and last week in Seattle were the Giants' 12th man – with no apology to the Seahawks faithful who have a patent on that nickname.

“His coaching definitely makes a difference for us,” Giants linebacker Micah McFadden told The Post.

The Giants need Daboll to be a difference-maker on Sunday against an explosive Bengals team that desperately enters this game at 1-4 and whose season is on the brink.

The challenge that Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow poses to the defense will be immense. And on offense, the Giants will be without receiver Malik Nabers, their most explosive weapon, for the second straight game with a concussion.

This is where Daboll's creative game plans, his synergies with his assistant coaches and his belief in his players come into play.

“Mentality and attitude is huge, especially in this league, and it starts with 'Dabes,'” Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke told The Post. “This dog mentality we talk about, discipline, attitude, will and courage, that is real. This is not just lip service. This is our team mantra. It's really just a next game mentality – never too high, never too low, just keeping that positive attitude. “It’s kind of an unsaid thing.”

It was unspoken but effective last Sunday in Seattle, where the Giants' offense managed 79 yards on 16 plays on the opening drive, choking up 10 minutes after halftime before an Eric Gray fumble at the goal line went 101 yards for a touchdown Seahawks was recovered.

The stunning 14-point blow could have broken the Giants if they had been a dim-witted bunch.

But instead, the Giants responded and controlled the game en route to a surprising 29-20 victory in one of the toughest NFL environments.

Two weeks earlier, it was a Gray fumble in the opener in Cleveland that led to a Browns touchdown and a 7-0 lead after just 11 seconds that could have ruined the Giants.

But that wasn't the case. The Giants came back and won 21-15.

There are reasons for this, and one of them is Daboll and the mental toughness he instilled in his players.

“When you have a coach who preaches a certain thing and people who believe in it and advocate for it, it affects the entire team,” Giants guard Greg Van Roten told The Post on Friday. “We had some games that could have ended differently, but that's not the case. “Since the beginning of the season, (Daboll) has preached a lot about attitude, positivity and raising boys.”

Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial called Daboll “a great leader for our team and a great leader for the coaches.”

“He strengthens you as a coach,” Ghobrial said a week after Daboll hailed his plan to block a Seattle field goal to secure the Seattle victory.

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who like Ghobrial is in his first year at Daboll, said Daboll's strength is “staying sober, because it's a tough league.” It won't always be roses.

“We know there will be adversity in every single game. Like last week (in Seattle), we sit on the bench and go to our guys and say, 'We've been here before.' Cleveland. “We were there two weeks ago. “He's doing a good job of building that determination in the team and in the guys.

“That’s the culture. Guys are playing with confidence and we’re getting to the point where we can overcome some things.”

If the Giants can beat the talented Bengals on Sunday night, they will be 3-3, and in the midst of an NFC East race, few would have thought they would even be in the conversation this season.