Last Updated on December 9, 2010 3:39 am by Anthony Rome
Giants vs. Vikings Preview
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (AP) – Brett Favre isn’t concerned about possibly ending his NFL-record streak for consecutive starts Sunday if his injured throwing shoulder won’t allow him to suit up for the Minnesota Vikings.
The New York Giants have more important issues to worry about as well.
The Giants hope to improve their position in the NFC playoff race while the Vikings look for their third straight win under interim coach Leslie Frazier as the teams meet in Minnesota.
According to latest NFL odds, oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Giants 2.5-point spread favorites for Sunday’s game against Vikings. Current NFL Public Betting Information shows that 83% of more than 1,704 bets for this game have been placed on the Giants –2.5.
Favre, who has started 297 straight games, will practice a limited amount this week while nursing a sprained SC joint suffered on his lone pass attempt in the Vikings’ 38-14 victory against Buffalo last Sunday. Favre was driven to the turf onto his shoulder after a hit by the Bills’ Arthur Moats, and the floating pass resulted in his league-leading 18th interception.
Favre said he isn’t concerned with the streak and insists he’ll only play if completely capable. Minnesota hasn’t won three straight all season.
“It really hasn’t crossed my mind this week that I’ve got to get out there to keep the streak going,” Favre said. “I think the most important streak right now is we’ve won two in a row.”
Favre’s ability to play through numerous injuries throughout the streak gives Frazier hope the 41-year-old quarterback will be in uniform.
“Brett Favre is so, so unique when it comes to recovering from injuries,” Frazier said. “I’m optimistic that he will be out there playing on Sunday.”
The status of receiver Percy Harvin also is uncertain after he missed the Bills game with migraines. He sat out practice Wednesday and may be held out against New York as well.
The Vikings (5-7) haven’t lost since Frazier took over as coach Nov. 23 for the fired Brad Childress. Frazier has interviewed for seven NFL head coaching jobs and is succeeding thus far in his first opportunity to guide a franchise.
Still, Minnesota has slim playoff hopes and may be looking to play the role of spoiler against the Giants (8-4), who are tied atop the NFC East with Philadelphia.
New York will play three of its final four games on the road, with the only home date Dec. 19 against the Eagles. The Giants currently are tied with Green Bay, which they’ll face Dec. 26, for the NFC’s sixth and final playoff spot. Philadelphia holds the divisional tiebreaker.
“You want to have excitement and things on the line at the end of the season and that’s what you play for,” defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. “I’d definitely rather be in this scenario than 2-10 and just packing up your stuff for the offseason.”
Brandon Jacobs has regained the No. 1 running back job from Ahmad Bradshaw and hasn’t disappointed. He rushed only eight times for 103 yards and two TDs in last Sunday’s 31-7 victory against Washington. He’s averaging 8.6 yards per carry his past two games.
Jacobs said he received a small amount of carries in order to help Bradshaw reach 1,000 yards, which Bradshaw did by rushing for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“I am excited about playing, period,” Jacobs said. “I am excited about catching the ball, pass blocking, but I am most excited about running, as a running back is supposed to. I feel really good. I am healthy. I am at the point where this is my sixth year and I just want to win.”
The duo has helped make up for the lackluster passing game missing receivers Steve Smith (partially torn pectoral muscle) and Hakeem Nicks (leg) the last two weeks with injuries.
Nicks, however, has been practicing this week and is optimistic about playing Sunday.
“My mentality is if I’m practicing, I’m playing,” Nicks said.
Eli Manning threw for less than 200 yards for the fifth time this season against the Redskins, completing 15 of 25 passes for 161 yards and one interception. It was the first time in eight games he failed to throw at least two TD passes.
Manning has lost all four career starts against Minnesota, throwing for only two touchdowns and nine interceptions in those matchups.
New York hasn’t beaten the Vikings since Oct. 31, 2004, but a victory Sunday coupled with an Eagles loss to Dallas would give the Giants control in the divisional race.
“It’s December,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “You’ve got to be in a position where your team understands completely that you have to win. You’ve got to continue to win. You’ve got to be in that spot if you’re going to have a chance”
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!