Or not. If the Giants win this one, no one will remember this Patriots team unless they go all the way to the Super Bowl, and then it’ll be for the Super Bowl championship, not 15-1.

Still, don’t expect any miracles here. The Pats have proven themselves well above the league. I’m not expecting this one to be close.

Here’s your five questions.

1) Can Eli Manning get himself straightened out against a strong defense like the Pats’?

He’d better. For the first time in a month he’ll probably get to play in mild weather. That should help his throwing. The fact that Plaxico Burress practiced all week won’t hurt, either. No excuses now for him being off the mark unless, of course, Mike Vrabel comes in breathing fire every snap. To generate enough points, he’ll have to keep the chains moving, something he’s failed to do this final stretch. And another 100-yard effort from Brandon Jacobs wouldn’t hurt, either.

2) Eli Manning? Plaxico Burress? Brandon Jacobs? Are these guys really going to play a whole game?

Well, look at it this way. They’re all going to start unless Tom Coughlin decides Jacobs’ and Burress’ ankle sprains warrant a week off. That doesn’t seem to be the case, since both practiced this week. That means if the game is still a game at halftime, they can both look forward to a full game of work. Or at least the third quarter. If New England pulls away after that, then so be it, and the subs come in.

3) Will any of the Giants be looking ahead to the playoff game in Tampa?

You mean, is a game against a 15-0 team looking to make history actually a trap game? Interesting. If I’m wrong about how Coughlin will play the starters, then it doesn’t matter, the Giants will get blown out, anyway. But if he’s playing for real, I’m not sure anybody’s going to be looking ahead. Coughlin has done a good job keeping his team focused this year on the opponent in front of them. He said he hasn’t even addressed Tampa Bay yet. Believe him, don’t believe him. The fact is the starters seem intent on taking this challenge and playing hard.

4) If they get out ahead early, will Bill Belichick try to embarrass the Giants?

Nah. He’s got nothing against Coughlin. In fact, their working relationship when both worked on Bill Parcells’ Super Bowl-winning staff—Coughlin with the wide receivers, and defensive coordinator Belichick with the defensive backs—sounded about as warm and cuddly as these two halibuts could get. Belichick was nothing but complimentary toward his old compadre, noting how they worked closely with each other to see what would work and what wouldn’t against each other’s group.

5) So, okay, the improbable happens and the Giants win. What does that do for them?

Saves them a ton of money on plane fare, for one thing. They’ll be able to fly as far as Georgia on the emotional high alone. Stick ‘em on a school bus the rest of the way and they won’t know the difference. The word springboard comes to mind, as does momentum. Two wins, one in the snows of Buffalo and the other against a 15-0 team, would be a fantastic way to end a regular season already successful because of double-digit wins.

Prediction: Don’t get your hopes up. After all the controversy of the season, the Patriots want this one in the worst way. The Giants will play hard. But eventually, probably in the fourth quarter, we’re going to see Anthony Wright handing off to Reuben Droughns just to get it over with. Patriots 30-20.

Enjoy the game.

Ciao for now.