EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- As coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday, the fact that the Minnesota Vikings could be in the playoffs by kickoff Sunday night against the Giants could lead them to rest a banged-up player or two. But short of that, 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. At that point, the Packers and Cardinals will probably be starting the fourth quarter. Is it possible the Cardinals could have built an insurmountable lead by then, virtually guaranteeing a Packers loss and a Vikings-Packers NFC North title game in Week 17 regardless of what the Vikings do against the Giants? Sure. But the chances of that aren't very high.

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.

"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."

Mike Zimmer doesn't want to mess up the Vikings' momentum, meaning the Giants won't get a break Sunday night. AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

Linebacker Anthony Barr, who practiced in a limited capacity with knee and groin injuries Wednesday, will likely get some work Thursday, Zimmer said, and running back Adrian Peterson should also be back on the practice field. The Vikings will make their final injury declarations on Friday, but 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," he said.