Interesting debate we're having, Stephen. I don't have nearly as much experience as you, so I have to rely on surfing the news to see if there's more to analyze. Let's see what you think of what Ben Goessling (ESPN Staff Writer) theorizes. In summary he says, in a story (espn.go.com/.../mike-zimmer-vikings-wont-sit-large-numbers-of-players-vs-giantsike) posted within the past hour:
"Zimmer doesn't want to mess with momentum too much by resting players. Here's why."
"First, the Vikings won't know the outcome of the one game that could really reduce the significance of their matchup with the Giants -- the Packers' game against the Cardinals -- until after they have to declare their inactive players 90 minutes before kickoff." -- Doesn't seem like much of an argument because Zimm could put in players just for a few series, THEN rest them
'More importantly, Zimmer has seen what can happen when a team takes its foot off the gas too early. In 2009, the Bengals were 10-5 heading into the final week of the season and had already clinched a playoff spot before their game with the Jets, who needed a win to get in the playoffs. "We didn't play anybody," Zimmer said. "We didn't play very good, and we got beat (37) to nothing. Guess who played in the first round of the playoffs? The Jets, at Cincinnati, and they beat us again. So that's probably not going to be my approach."' -- OK, there's a good argument against resting players, providing insight into Zimm's thinking.
"I think there's a risk-reward with the last game, depending on the scenario that happens. You try to look at the big picture, and make your decision based on that. But it's not going to be wholesale. I will not do that."
Goessling continues: 'A few players -- like Barr, defensive tackle Linval Joseph and safety Harrison Smith -- could wind up sitting or playing less. But Zimmer does not plan to go too far with lineup changes based on the results of other games. "We're planning on, if guys are ready to play, playing them."' -- More evidence that he'll have his players fighting to win. But we can still speculate on how much effort the players themselves will want to put forth.
Maybe the best time to play the Giants is after the Saturday night game? Play Giants+6 if Philly wins, which sets up a division-championship showdown with Philly next week? Otherwise it seems to me like the Vikes might be as likely to compete hard as the Giants, if not more so.