The Giants DO NOT want to go 0-3 today against the Redskins.

More history. Since the NFL went to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, 85 teams have started 0-3. Three have made the playoffs.

So, with that 500-pound gorilla sitting on the Giants’ shoulders, we proudly give you the five questions for today’s game.

1. So, what’s with Strahan?

Michael Strahan is still looking for that one sack that will put him past Lawrence Taylor for the franchise career sack record. While he’s been searching for that, he’s looked very much like a 35-year-old man who isn’t in football shape. Tom Coughlin admitted as much this week, asking for patience. But hey, the season’s slipping away quickly. Strahan needs a big game today, needs to look like the Strahan of old and make an impact, otherwise the Giants are going to be in huge trouble. For his part, Strahan says he feels great, feels energized. Now it’s time for him to show it.

2. How much will Plaxico Burress play?

Who knows? It’s starting to look like that right ankle sprain that kept him out of the preseason schedule is going to be a season-long issue. That kinda stinks, since Burress leads the NFL with four touchdown catches and is Eli Manning’s favorite deep threat. The more snaps he misses, the less effective Manning has a chance to be. And let’s face it, Anthony Mix may look like Burress, but there was a reason the kid was a longshot in camp. Were it not for Michael Jennings blowing his Achilles in the preseason and Steve Smith fracturing his shoulder blade last week, Mix wouldn’t be getting a sniff of any quality receptions. And Sinorice Moss has more questions surrounding his talent and durability than any other receiver on the squad. If Burress leaves at the half, look for an offensive folderoo in the second half.

3. Will the defense fool the Redskins’ offense?

See, the plan is to have Antonio Pierce bring his airhorn on the field. Just as Jason Campbell starts calling the signals, Pierce toots the horn. Campbell, young quarterback that he is, thinks the drill is over, steps out, and heads for the sidelines. Joe Gibbs then gives Campbell one of those “You should have had a V-8” head slaps as the delay of game flag goes down. It may take that, considering how badly this defense is playing. If Chris Cooley runs through the middle like the tight ends before him, and if Santana Moss has cornerbacks chasing him, it’s going to be a long day. Look for Aaron Ross in for Corey Webster early if Webster whiffs a tackle or two, and possibly starting. And please, can somebody jam a receiver? Any receiver?

4. Can Manning keep it up?

He hasn’t played badly the first two games. In fact, he was downright excellent in the opener. Not so much against the Packers. But if he continues making plays, and if the eminent Jeremy Shockey catches a few imperfectly-thrown balls, he might be able to put up enough points to balance off the defense. You’d still hate to see him get into a shootout. But don’t discount a fourth-quarter comeback if they can keep the game within a touchdown.

5. Can they feed off last year’s victory at FedEx Field?

No. Different team. Derrick Ward isn’t Tiki Barber, though he’s looked awfully good in place of Brandon Jacobs the last two games. Burress is hurting, and the Redskins have a new, hard-hitting first-round safety in LaRon Landry to go along with Sean Taylor. About the only thing similar between the games is a Giants defense that could well allow the Redskins to run up and down the field on them. Without Barber (yeah, I know. He’s got a big mouth and everybody hates him now, but he was a great back), they’ll have nobody to bail them out if the defense doesn’t shape up real fast. And you know what that means. 0-3 and a descent into the abyss.

Prediction: There’s no logic involved here. No basis of fact that leads me to this one, except I just don’t believe the Giants are going to end their season this early. Giants 30-28.

Also, if you thought you were going to see the dawn of the Marquies Gunn era, forget it. They waived the defensive end and signed fullback Robert Douglas from the practice squad. That gives them two fullbacks, with Madison Hedgecock. Guess they want to bang today.

Enjoy the game.

Ciao for now.