While you’re fretting over whether the Giants will come out of tomorrow with a playoff spot, here’s something else to think about.

Buffalo Wings. How do those little things get such big animals up in the air?

That ought to get your mind off the offense.

Here’s the five.

1) Can the Giants’ defense get any turnovers?

Since they’ve gotten exactly one fumble recovery and no interceptions in the four games since a three-pick effort against Detroit, one would think they’re due. Especially if it pours like the weather folks are predicting. Then again, there wasn’t a single turnover last week in the snowstorm in Cleveland, and the Bills are working at a plus-7 ratio, meaning they’ve turned teams over seven more times than they’ve turned it over themselves. If the defense, which will return Gibril Wilson fulltime and James Butler at least part time, can reverse that trend, it’ll help the offense immensely. Then, the only thing the Giants will have to worry about is Eli Manning converting those opportunities to touchdowns instead of field goals.

2) Speaking of that, what are the chances Eli produces a bunch of points and makes it easy?

Not good. It’s going to be windy again, and if Tom Coughlin intends to put him in the air regularly again, he’s only asking for trouble. Then again, if the wide receivers hang onto a ball or two and generate a few big gains, the game will immediately take on a Giants flavor. On the other hand (am I starting to sound like Tevya?) the Giants never do anything easy, do they?

3) What about rookie quarterback Trent Edwards?

Yeah. Good question. Here’s another roadblock. The Giants don’t do well against rookies or backups (see last week vs. career backup Todd Collins and any similar situation in the last 10 years). This kid isn’t flashy yet, but he does know how to take care of the ball. Dick Jauron would rather have him than J.P. Losman. Free advice for the defense: pressure, pressure, pressure.

4) Can Kevin Boss and Michael Matthews take up the slack for the absence of Jeremy Shockey?

Not a chance. The Giants are just going to have to make do and hope Matthews and Boss can block some people. Bet they don’t have two catches between them tomorrow. A big ground attack is called for here—again, the Manning-in-the-wind issue—so they won’t have many opportunities to catch the ball anyway. They must, however, seal off those edges for Brandon Jacobs, who needs to make big chunks with his rushing.

5) What happens if they don’t win?

Oh, boy! Better hope the Saints and Redskins both lose and they go into Monday with the playoff spot locked up. Otherwise, it’s all left to chance the last weekend, and nobody on the Giants wants that.

Prediction: I don’t think Coughlin will make the same mistake and force Manning into the wet wind. Buffalo plays hard, but they’re no power and are certainly beatable. Don’t be surprised if this turns into another fourth-quarter comeback deal. It’s going to be close, but the Giants do close out their playoff spot, 21-20.

If I’m wrong, I’ll be watching Skins-Vikes from the Anchor Bar, the birthplace of Buffalo wings.

Ciao for now.