--WR Domenik Hixon has been struggling with leg and foot injuries, but he sounded optimistic. "It's better every day," he said. "This is a great medical staff. I'm going to feel really healthy by Sunday night."

--DT Jay Alford was asked about the Panthers' offensive line. "That's a big group of guys," he said. "But they play straight-ahead blocking schemes, and I think I'd rather play against that then the zone blocking teams (like Denver), where you have to guess which direction the running back is going to take."

--RB Brandon Jacobs, who has missed the last two games (knee), didn't make the trip to Dallas last weekend. "Rest, rest, rest," he said. "That was the only thing to do." Asked if he planned to play Sunday night, he said: "I'm going to be out there unless someone in charge tells me otherwise. I can't wait."

--ORT Kareem McKenzie (back spasms) is another injured Giant determined to play. "I think my chances (of playing) are outstanding," he said. "It's time for me to do it. I came out last week (in Dallas) because I just couldn't move, but it's a lot better now."

--RG Chris Snee, selected to his first Pro Bowl Tuesday, was asked about the ability of the offensive line to bounce back after allowing eight sacks to the Cowboys. "We need to hold our blocks longer," he said, "and that's easy to fix. You can't expect Eli (Manning) to do things that aren't humanly possible."

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- The number of games the Giants must win -- on Sunday night -- to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They are already NFC East champions but with a sour turn of events they could wind up playing in the first weekend as the division champion with the worst record hosting a wild card team.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "This is a great time of year. This is when we have a game to play for home field and a bye. We're at home with our 12th man helping out. I'm excited and happy. When will the players feel this way? In about 15 minutes, when I tell them." -- Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin.