For the first time since 2004, the last game of the regular season will mark the end of the Giants’ season. No matter what happens against Minnesota, New York will not make the playoffs so they have nothing more than pride to play for on Sunday.
But pride is something that this team seems to be sorely lacking. After last week’s debacle, is there any reason to expect this team to give a big effort in a meaningless game? Absolutely not and there are some injury problems that make a Giants victory even more unlikely.
Brandon Jacobs will not play and Ahmad Bradshaw has been battling a foot injury for most of the season. That means Danny Ware or Gartrell Johnson will need to step up. Corey Webster and Aaron Ross are out, leaving the secondary in a very weak position. Add in an injury to Justin Tuck that makes his status questionable and odds are Minnesota will have the ability to move the ball at will.
The Vikings are headed to the playoffs, but they are in a bit of a funk. Losers of their last two, they no longer control their own destiny. But, Minnesota will enter Sunday’s game knowing that a win could give them the #2 seed and a bye in the playoffs. That will be more than enough motivation for the Vikings to stomp on the Giants and mercifully put an end to this season.
