GIANT NOTES
There is a way for the Giants to qualify for the playoffs even if the Packers beat the Cardinals on Sunday. Not only would the Giants have to win their game against the Cowboys, but they’d have to win it by at least 56 points.
Talk about putting some pressure on your offense.
“I don’t know if it’s even possible to respond to something like that,” Kerry Collins said.
If the Giants and Packers both finish with 8-8 records, the Giants would be eliminated because of the tie-breaker based on conference point differential, unless something crazy happens. Here’s the most basic definition of crazy: If the Packers beat the Cardinals by one point, the Giants would have to beat the Cowboys by 56. If the Packers beat the Bucs by 10, the Giants would have to beat the Cowboys by 66. And so on.
If the margin were less ludicrous — 15 of 20 points, for example — it would lead to an interesting situation. The Giants would be forced to not only attempt to win, but to win big, which would mean all sorts of gambles, a wide-open attack and risks galore.
With the margin at at least 56, it was almost comical when Fassel yesterday was asked if he would use any desperate strategy, such as opening up in a hurry-up offense, to try for the 56 point spread.
“I would do anything within reason,” Fassel said. “That beomes unrealistic. At that point in time, you’ve got to take your medicine. A little bit of that could come into it. We’re far enough behind where I think we have to count on other things.”
Fassel was angered that there were six missed assignments on the 85-yard kickoff return by Moe Williams … C Brian Williams said he could have played if needed vs. the Vikings and is insisting he’ll start the regular-season finale at Texas Stadium. “I’m not 100 percent, but I’m definitely going to go,” said Williams, who’s been out with a strained knee. “It’s my job. I’ve got to play.”
The Vikings came in with the league’s worst passing defense, but the Giants did not register a pass play of longer than 19 yards. “Did we end up exploiting that? Not really,” Fassel said … Apparently, RB Joe Montgomery did not re-injure his damaged ribs, but he was very sore after the game.