EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants loss on Sunday could be the Denver Broncos’ gain.

The Giants’ defeat in the divisional playoff round means that the team’s defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, is immediately available for a second round of interviews for head-coaching vacancies.

Denver had a brief dinner meeting with Spagnuolo on Jan. 3 and may have been unwilling to put its coaching search on a holding pattern while Spagnuolo continued to coach in the playoffs.

That obstacle is now removed and the Broncos will likely move quickly to speak with one of the NFL’s hottest head-coaching candidates.

The Broncos’ search reached a cooling off period Sunday, specifically to see whether Spagnuolo might be available.

But they’ll have competition for his time.

Spagnuolo according to published reports not only is a finalist for the New York Jets opening but also for the Detroit Lions. St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney is a long-time friend of Spagnuolo and that club also is moving towards trying to interview him this week.

Signs indicate that if Spagnuolo doesn’t quickly set up a follow-up talk with Broncos brass, however, they may move quickly to put a coach in place.

Denver shortened its list of potential hires to New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (who already had a second interview Thursday), Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier (who’s slated to interview with the Rams on Tuesday) and, on the periphery, Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

Spagnuolo politely declined comment as he prepared to exit Giants Stadium after Philadelphia’s 23-11 divisional playoff victory over New York. He cited head coach Tom Coughlin’s policy that only allows assistants to speak once every two weeks, despite the fact the Giants season had ended.

Many of New York’s defensive players after the game hadn’t necessarily come to the conclusion they were playing their final game under Spagnuolo.

“Not at all,” cornerback Corey Webster said. “He has to make the right decision for his family. I just hope the decision makes everyone happy. . . . But having the success he’s had, I think people will be grabbing at him.”

“There are no assumptions,” defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka added. “Whatever happens, it’s definitely well-deserved, if he goes somewhere else and gets a shot as a head coach.”

“We just want the best for him, whether it’s the Denver job or whatever job it is,” defensive end Justin Tuck said.

ENDORSEMENT FROM EX-COHORT

Spagnuolo spent eight seasons with the Eagles working under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, including three seasons as secondary coach and three more overseeing the linebackers.

Johnson said after Sunday’s game that “it should be” Spagnuolo’s time to become a head coach, especially after the latter’s work with the Giants defense over the last two years.

“He’s a bright young man. He’s paid his dues. He’s a great person. He’s a good football coach,” Johnson maintained. “And when he worked with me for eight, nine years he was a very loyal soldier. He’ll do a great job if he gets that job.”

Johnson added that Spagnuolo’s aggressive approach has been a carryover from his Eagles days.

“He understands the concepts of the game and puts pressure on the quarterback,” Johnson said. “He’s probably more detailed than I ever was. He’s very organized.”

But Johnson also has a high regard for McDaniels, another front-runner for the Denver job.

“There’s another fine young coach. You get either one of those, those are nice coaches. I have a lot of respect for Josh.”