A GOOD WEEK TO DO NOTHING

This is an odd week for the GIANTS.  They play a Minnesota team that needs a win to make the playoffs.  A team they could very well meet in two weeks in the divisional playoff game in The Meadowlands.  The Giants, under Tom Coughlin, would never actually take a week off, that's not possible.  However the medical staff will recommending rest for some starters.  I expect Aaron Ross and Kevin Boss to be inactive.  I expect Brandon Jacobs to either be out or limited.  I believe Barry Cofield and or Fred Robbins to sit also.  Look for Eli and maybe even Hixon to take at least the 4 th quarter off on Sunday.  The Vikings are starting their Qb that started the season and was benched in week 2.  He is a running qb and has a week arm.  Look for the defense to stack the box and try and stop the league's top rusher in Adrian Peterson.  They will force Tavaris Jackson to throw it and beat them through the air.  Not much will be shown this week by the GIANTS as far as exotic defensive schemes or trick offensive plays.  The possibility of seeing each other again soon will preclude them from showing too much.

Here are the things to watch for this weekend around the league.

Dallas vs. Philly.   Dallas wins and they are in.  They will be the 6 seed and play in Arizona in the first round.

Carolina vs New Orleans.  Carolina's loss to the GIANTS was huge.  They were playing for the #1 seed and if they lose this game they will fall tot he 5th seed, lose the bye week, and have to travel and play week 1.  This will vault Atlanta to the 2 seed, give them a first round bye, and home field until the Championship game.

Minnesota favored by 7 points.  

Heard of a new company today with an interesting idea.  It's called firstdibz.com.  Basically it is a ticket outfit that takes bids to purchase tickets at face value for playoff and championship games.  If you win the bid, and your team gets to the game, you have the right to purchase tickets at face value.  However, if your team does not make it to the game, they keep your bid money.  It's like betting on whether your team will make the big game or not.  An interesting idea.  

1986- The mighty Giants defeat the Green Bay Packers 55-24 to finish the season at 14-2.  They are the #1 seed and have home field throughout the playoffs.  Giants led 21-20 at halftime.

1990-The Giants travel to New England and beat the Patriots on a grey rainy uninspired afternoon by the score of 13-10 to finish the season 13-3.

2007- The GIANTS play their most important and inspirational game of the year losing to the New England Patriots 38-35 proving to themselves that they could play with the "perfect team".  The Giants were in this game throughout and played far from mistake free.  They learned some important lessons about how they could dominate the offensive line of the Pats and that Tom Brady really didn't like being touched.

Enjoy the week and I will preview all playoff match-ups going forward.