NFL Week 14 – Preview: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings will both be gunning for a victory when they meet in a nationally-televised game at Metrodome on 12th of December.
Quarterback Brett Favre is not worried about the possible end of his NFL-record streak for successive starts Sunday if his injured shoulder will not allow him to suit up for the Minnesota Vikings. Even though Brett Favre didn't practice for two straight
days with Minnesota Vikings, the New York Giants are still preparing to play against him and not support Tarvaris Jackson.
"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."
New York Giants will not soon forget the beat down they got at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings the last time they played. It was 3rd of January and the New York Giants ended last season with a 44-7 loss.
"I remember everything they did," defensive end Osi Umenyiora said. "The blowout, them trying to run up the score, the different things they did out there. It's a big game for us this week. We have a lot to play for. No matter what they did last year, this
is a game we need to win."
The Giants look to improve their position in the strongly teamed NFC playoff race while Minnesota Vikings look for their third straight win under interim coach Leslie Frazier.
This year, it’s the 8-4 Giants in contention for a playoff spot. Giants put up 25 points and 384 yards per game. The team is on the road for the 6th time on the season where they stand of 3-2 on the year. Their two road losses came at Philadelphia
Eagles and Indianapolis both winning teams.
New York are getting back a number of key players who had been injured, and a win this weekend will go a long way towards taking the team full circle. They have not beaten the Minnesota Vikings since October 31, 2004, but a victory Sunday coupled with a
Philadelphia Eagles' loss to Dallas Cowboys will give the New York Giants control in the division race.
"I think I've been here long enough to know that every game from here on out is a playoff game," Umenyiora said. "We have no room for error."
The 5-7 Minnesota Vikings are fighting this year, with a quarterback who has days where he has a hard time throwing the ball. Last season, the win over New York Giants pushed the Minnesota Vikings all the way to the NFC title game, a 31-28 loss to New Orleans
Saints.
Since then, Favre has had a litany of injuries -- from his head to his ankles. The Giants have a history of getting to quarterbacks, and Favre might seem a defenceless target. Brett Favre has started 297 straight games and he will practice a limited amount
this week while nursing a strained SC joint suffered on his lone pass attempt in the Minnesota Vikings' 38-14 victory against Buffalo Bills last Sunday.
Minnesota have not won three straight all season.
Favre's capability to play through several injuries during the streak gives Frazier hope the 41-year-old quarterback will be in uniform.
Minnesota Vikings (5-7) have not lost since Frazier took over as coach on 23rd of November for the fired Brad Childress. Minnesota still have slight playoff hopes and can also look to play the role of spoiler against New York Giants (8-4), who
are tied to the NFC East with Philadelphia Eagles. Giants are also tied with Green Bay, which they will face on December 26, for the NFC's sixth and final playoff spot.
The Minnesota defence allows its opponents 21 points and 302 yards per game.
They allowed the Buffalo Bills last week just 239 yards and 3 of 12 on third down. Minnesota were good in rush defence allowing their AFC East opponents just 84 yards on 23 carries for a 3.7 yards per rush average. They allowed the opposing quarterback just
15 of 25 passes for 158 yards with a touchdown and pick.
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