On Sunday afternoon, the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings will rematch in the NFL playoffs in what has the potential to be one of the most watched and entertaining games during Wild Card Weekend.
The Giants and Vikings will run it back at 4:30 PM ET on FOX after the teams faced off in a closely contested game in Week 16 of the regular season. The first game ended with a ridiculous 61-yard field goal by Greg Joseph in the final seconds that gave the Vikings a 27-24 victory. Revenge is certainly on Big Blue’s mind.
Related: Sportsnaut’s NFL Playoff and Super Bowl predictions
The second go-around on Sunday is likely to be another close matchup and should deliver some exciting action. Let’s take a look at the key elements of the game, including early odds, television info, and key matchups.
New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings odds
- Spread: Vikings -3
- Moneyline: Minnesota (-150), New York (+125)
- Point total: 48 points
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings game info
Here’s the where, when, and how to watch the Giants vs. Vikings NFL Wild Card Game this weekend.
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 15
- Time: 4:30 PM ET
- TV Info: FOX
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium
3 matchups to watch in Giants vs Vikings Wild Card game
There are three matchups on Sunday that could be highly influential in deciding who walks away with a win in the Vikings vs. Giants NFL playoff scrap. Let’s take a look at those game-changer battles.
Justin Jefferson vs. Giants secondary
If the Minnesota Vikings’ last two games had played out a little differently, Justin Jefferson would have broken Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving yards record (1,964) and been a legitimate MVP candidate. Alas, the team was shockingly blown out by the Packers and took their foot off the gas in the final week of the season.
In the two team’s Week 16 game, unsurprisingly, Jefferson had another stellar showing and racked up 12 catches, 133 yards, and a TD against the New York Giants defense. You can’t stop Jefferson, but you can certainly hope to contain him, and New York must. Their chances in another road shoot-out are not good, so they have to make this game an ugly slog and do all they can to force the other Minnesota-skills players to beat them.
What could help in that pursuit is the fact that the team will have top cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and safety Xavier McKinney back this weekend. The talented defensive back duo missed the first game and could play a pivotal role in trying to slow down the superstar receiver.
New York pass rush vs. Kirk Cousins
While Justin Jefferson had a typical 2022-2023 performance against the New York Giants, the Vikings were able to post 27 points on the NYG defense because QB Kirk Cousins spread the ball around and got a monster 13 receptions, 109 yards, two TD performance from tight end T.J. Hockenson.
It is one thing to be unable to slow down Jefferson, but two players racking up double-digit catches and 100-plus yard games is a recipe to earn an L. Which the Minnesota Vikings handed them in Week 16. If Cousins can have a similar showing, then the Vikes are headed to the Divisional Round. However, can the Giants’ pass rush do more to hamper the Vikings’ passing attack?
A few weeks ago the New York defense did rack up four sacks and 11 QB hits. Yet that wasn’t enough. It is a tough ask, but the New York Giants will need to do even better than four sacks on Sunday if they hope to beat this high-powered offense. However, that may be too tall an ask for the team that finished with the 13th most sacks in 2022-2023.
Saquon Barkley vs. Vikings front seven
One of the big surprises from the first game was Daniel Jones posting only his second 300-plus yard performance threw the air this season. That should have been enough for the Giants to get a win in most weeks, but they didn’t because the Minnesota Vikings’ front seven did their job in holding down Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley.
While Barkley got going late and was key in the New York Giants tying the game in the fourth quarter, the Vikings still succeeded where the G-Men failed in controlling Jefferson. If a team’s best offensive player can get rolling, it opens so many more opportunities for the pieces around them. That happened to Minny a few weeks ago.
It is easier said than done, but if the Giants win this game it will be because Barkley earned his first 100-yard rushing game in nine weeks.
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings prediction
The New York Giants have all the tools to get sweet revenge on Sunday afternoon. However, with home-field advantage and a built-to-win now, look for the Minnesota Vikings to eke out another close victory over the Giants. New York is a team on the rise, but their time isn’t now.
- Prediction: Vikings 24, Giants 21