Here’s the deal: the Giants make the playoffs with a win against either the Bills or the Patriots (let’s be realistic though…). If they blow both their next games, they still get in if either the Saints or Redskins lose this week. The Saints are playing the Eagles, and the Redskins are playing the Vikings this week.

Osi Umenyiora is the only New York Giant to be voted to this year’s Pro Bowl. He will back up Seattle’s Patrick Kerney and Green Bay’s Aaron Kampman at Defensive End for the NFC.

We apologize to our faithful listeners, but Kevin and I were unable to get together and do the preview for the Washington game this week. As up-and-coming broadcasters, we are working hard to not only provide you with the best information and opinions available on the New York Giants, but also to provide ourselves with the best opportunity of not failing out of college. We did have finals this week, and had conflicting schedules as we made our way home for the winter break. We promise our listeners that this will not happen again. As to not leave you completely in the dark for this week’s game, I included an injury report for this week:

Once again, the Giants will probably be without both starting safeties James Bulter (defiantly out with a nagging hamstring) and Gibril Wilson (doubtful with a knee injury). Craig Dahl is probable with his ankle injury, so he and Michael Johnson will most likely start side-by-side for the second straight week. Plaxico and Shockey are both questionable. Shockey has a stomach injury that kept him out of Friday’s practice, and if you don’t know what’s bugging Burress, just go back into your box you’ve been living in. Aaron Ross will most likely be back from his hamstring injury, as he is listed as probable.

For the Redskins, the biggest story is Jason Campbell’s season is in jeopardy as his knee injury is quite serious. Todd Collins will be starting for the first time in almost exactly 10 years, an NFL record for time in between starts since the 1970 merger. Cornerback John Eubanks is out with a toe injury, and lineman Randy Thomas was placed on injured reserve Friday, ending his season with an elbow injury.

Brandon Jacobs is probable for Sunday, meaning he will most likely start. Plaxico Burress, Safety James Butler, Linebacker Antonio Pierce, and Cornerback Aaron Ross are all questionable. Gibril Wilson is out for the second week. Shockey is questionable with a “stomach” injury, whatever that means, and WR Steve Smith is finally probable, so he’ll finally be back.

For the Eagles, the Brians lead the injury report, both with knee injuries. Brian Westbrook did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, but participated in a limited practice today. Safety Brian Dawkins is questionable. Pretty much the entire rest of the Eagles team is probable, I have no idea why. Andy Reid is starting to take after the Patriots. Never a good idea.

Giants RB Derrick Ward was placed on IR today after suffering a
fractured left fibula against the Bears. The good news is Brandon
Jacobs is expected to return on Sunday. The bad news is, we just lost
the team’s leading rusher. Danny Ware was signed off the practice
squad of the Jets to replace Ward on the roster. Ware is an undrafted
rookie RB out of Georgia.

Also please vote on the new poll up on the site, it’s simple but
effective…we will probably do a weekly poll so please participate,
and send us in your ideas for new polls!

Brandon Jacobs, Aaron Ross, and Gibril Wilson are all doubtful for the game against the Bears. This is huge for the Giants secondary, so we will see how Coughlin handles both a safety and a corner down for the game. Dockery will start for Ross, but no safety has been announced to take Wilson’s place. Derrick Ward is probable.

Hey all,

We will be on Bearscast Thursday night and the episode will probably
be up then or Friday so check that out. Also some Giants news:

• Amani Toomer made the 600th catch of his career on Sunday, so
  congratulations to him.
• Osi Umenyiora has 10.0 sacks and is one behind Green Bay’s Aaron
  Kampman for the league lead.

Contrary to what I said in Saturday’s podcast, Adrian Peterson has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s game. Kevin was trying to get this into my head and I was stubborn enough to reject it. However, Kevin was right, and Brad Childress has stated that Peterson has a 50-50 chance of playing. Peterson tore his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee, but is progressing ahead of schedule.

The Giants have placed Mathias Kiwanuka on the Injured Reserve list, officially ending his season. To take his place on the roster, the Giants signed fullback/running back Patrick Pass, a former New England Patriot. Pass won 3 rings with the Patriots, and was an integral part of their offense, despite his lack of media coverage relative to some of the bigger names on the Patriots’ offense. This move may be telling of the running back situation the Giants have at the moment, with Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward both questionable for Sunday. There may be a smaller chance that those two will be ok than previously though. Coughlin has been cryptic on the injury so far.

However, Giants.com has reported that there is still a chance the two will be available, especially Ward, who has missed the last 3 games with ankle and groin injuries. Ward participated in limited practice Wednesday, while Jacobs sat out.

If both running backs are unable to go, Reuben Droughns will start, with Ahmad Bradshaw probably getting his first few NFL carries. Pass will most likely join them in spot situations.

I love this time of year. Giants vs. Vikings always brings back memories…ah, 41-0…so peaceful…

Anyway, this is a different year. A quick injury update for both teams at this early point in the week:

• Adrian Peterson is all but ruled out of this game by Vikings head coach Brad Childress.
• Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward are questionable at this point, and Tom Coughlin has stated that Reuben Droughns is on track to start, with Ahmad Bradshaw waiting in the wings for his first few carries.
• Doctors have told Coughlin that Mathias Kiwanuka is out for the season with his broken fibula. He will have surgery today. This is a huge loss. Reggie Torbor filled in for him against Detroit. Chase Blackburn and Gerris Wilkinson may get some playing time, and in some packages Fred Robbins may even drop back to linebacker (I think my worst nightmare would be to watch him lumber around trying to cover a good tight end like L.J. Smith. Yuck.)