Brett Favre is dealing with perhaps the most serious injury of his career, one to his shoulder that knocked him out of last Sunday’s game and has kept him from throwing a proper pass in practice this week. Said game, against the Giants, begins in less than 48 hours. But Favre — he of the 297-consecutive-games-played streak (one that the Vikings say won’t continue like that, if you’re wondering) — is officially listed as questionable.
Speaking of those Giants, who one assumes wouldn’t mind if a barely-healthy-enough-to-throw Favre, and not Tarvaris Jackson, lined up under center on Sunday: Their goal this week remains the same as it was last week. They’ll try to defeat an inferior opponent — granted, this time on the road — in advance of the critical two weeks in which they host Philly and visit Green Bay. Last week, the Giants did exactly what they were supposed to do against Washington: stomp on their throats early, never let up, and cruise to victory. A repeat of that performance would be just perfect.
The Giants are getting healthier, and just in time: Steve Smith expects to play, and Hakeem Nicks hopes to play as well, a week before the all-important matchup against the Eagles (albeit one in cold weather in which the running game could prove more important than the passing game). The Giants, right now, cling to the final playoff spot. And for what it’s worth, they surely remember last year’s season-ending debacle in Minneapolis. But they had nothing to play for on that day. They’ll have everything to play for on Sunday.