After connecting on a long touchdown in the Metrodome last month, Brett Favre hoisted Donald Driver onto his shoulders and walked him up the sideline in a fireman's carry. But it was all fairly meaningless, because it seemed at the time neither team had a chance of sniffing the playoffs. Nearly six weeks later, the Giants have collapsed, plunging into a general sea of mediocrity in the middle of the NFC. So despite their matching 6-8 records, both the Vikings and Packers go into their game at Lambeau Field on Thursday night with an outside chance at earning a wild-card berth.