New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings

Written by Steve Janus

This Sunday the Minnesota Vikings will look for their third straight win under interim head coach Lezlie Frazier when they host the New York Giants. Minnesota won 38-14 against the Bills last week, despite losing Brett Favre on the first series of the game. The Giants also come into the game winners of two straight, as they crushed the Redskins 31-7 to remain tied with the Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East. If you are thinking about betting on the game this weekend, the current NFL odds have the Giants favored by 3-points over the Vikings.

New York (8-4): This is a very important game for the Giants. If they lose this week to the Vikings, not only could they fall a game behind the Eagles for the NFC East division lead, they could be on the outside looking in when it comes to the six teams making the playoffs.

This is a big game for Eli Manning and the Giants offense. The Vikings remain one of the top defenses against the run, so it will likely be Manning who is asked to get this team rolling. Manning however is 0-4 with just two touchdowns and nine interceptions in his career against the Vikings. Manning could be getting back one of his biggest weapons on the outside this week, as Hakeem Nicks looks like he will be able to go after practicing all week.

The Giants defense has thrived on putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing the other team into making mistakes. Last week against the Redskins, the Giants came away with four sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions. If the Giants continue to play like that on defense, it won’t matter who starts at quarterback for Minnesota.

Minnesota (5-7): The big question surrounding the Vikings this week is whether or not Favre will be able to keep his consecutive starting streak alive. Favre has been limited all week in practice, but somehow this guy always seems to find way onto the football field on Sunday. The only concern for Minnesota is whether or not playing Favre will help or hurt this team.

Tarvaris Jackson stepped in and completed 15 of 22 for 187 yards, including two touchdown passes to Sidney Rice, but Jackson also had three interceptions. I honestly think with the injuries Favre is dealing with, the Vikings should start Jackson regardless against the Giants this week. Favre has struggled against teams that bring a lot of pressure, and is just dead meat when he drops back to pass against the Giants pass rush.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns against the Bills last week, and he has to have a big game for the Vikings to come away with a win this week. If the running game isn’t working the Vikings are in a lot of trouble. New York is seventh against the run allowing just 98 yards a game this season.

Looking at the Odds: I think there is no question that you have to take the Giants to cover the spread this week. Minnesota has huge question marks at the quaterback position, and you simply can’t have that going up against the Giants pass rush. New York is also a solid 14-4 ATS in road games against NFC North division opponents since 1992.

My final score prediction is New York 24, Minnesota 16

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