After thrillingly clinching the NFC North in their previous encounter, the Minnesota Vikings return to US Bank Stadium on Saturday to battle the New York Giants.
Last week the Vikings completed the largest comeback in NFL history, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 39-36 in overtime after trailing 33-0 at the half, while New York remained above the NFC playoff line with a 20-12 triumph over the Washington Commanders.
Match preview
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The phrase a tale of two halves is often overused in sports, but it seems to be the most accurate description of Minnesota's game at home to Indy last weekend.
Kevin O'Connell's team trailed after 30 minutes for a second successive contest before springing to life offensively in half number two, accumulating over 400 yards for a second consecutive game.
Minnesota scored more points in the second half last weekend (36) than they had in their previous two games combined as the Purple and Gold claimed the NFC North crown for the first time since 2017.
Ever since suffering a 40-3 blowout defeat to the Dallas Cowboys last month, the Vikings aerial attack has often looked unstoppable, posting over 300 passing yards in three of its last four games, including a combined total of 820 in their previous two outings.
While they are ranked dead last defensively, conceding an average of just under 400 yards per game this season (399.2), the Vikes defence had perhaps their best half of the year last week, conceding a mere three points in the last two quarters, while it was only the fourth time this season that they had allowed fewer than 10 points to an opponent in the final 30 minutes of play.
Minnesota have run for over 100 yards once in their previous five encounters while only allowing fewer than that one time to their opponents since November.
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With their playoff hopes seemingly slipping through their fingertips, New York ended a four-game winless slide last Sunday thanks to a solid rushing attack while also winning the turnover battle.
Brian Daboll saw his offensive line do a much better job opening up holes for their dangerous rushing attack, as New York hit the century mark for a third straight affair, while they did not allow a single sack for the first time all season.
Pass protection has been a recurring issue for the Giants since the season began with their offensive line allowing three or more sacks in nine contests this year, including seven to the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago.
With only three games remaining, the Giants are in a position to do something they have not achieved since 2016, qualify for the postseason, as the G-men are currently above the playoff line with a record of 8-5.
If they can win at least one of their remaining encounters, it would mark the first time that this franchise ended the regular season with a winning record since 2016 when they went 11-5 under Ben McAdoo.
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Team News
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Despite tossing a pair of interceptions to the Colts last Saturday, the Vikings' Kirk Cousins still threw for over 400 yards for a second straight week, Justin Jefferson made 12 catches and had a touchdown, surpassing Tyreek Hill for the most receiving yards this season (1,623), Dalvin Cook averaged 5.6 yards per carry and Greg Joseph completed the historic comeback with a 40-yard field goal in overtime.
Harrison Smith is tied for second in the NFL regarding interceptions, boasting five so far this year, Danielle Hunter had a sack and a half in their comeback victory last week, Za'Darius Smith was credited with a half sack, while Eric Kendricks had one himself and also led the Vikes with seven tackles, two more than Chandon Sullivan.
Patrick Jones should be recovered from his illness in time for Saturday's tilt, Brian Asamoah is dealing with a sore ankle and Garrett Bradbury missed practice on Tuesday because of a back injury.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley averaged 4.8 yards per carry and ran for a score in their victory over the Commanders, Daniel Jones went 21/32 for 160 yards and zero interceptions, Darius Slayton and Barkley led the way with five catches each, while Isaiah Hodgins and Richie James both had four grabs.
Their first-round selection in 2022, Kayvon Thibodeaux, had another terrific outing last week, leading the team with nine tackles to go along with a sack, Dexter Lawrence and Azeez Ojulari each had a half sack, while Ryder Anderson picked up one.
Leonard Williams remains questionable with some stiffness in his neck, Nick Vannett has a shoulder issue, as does Evan Neal, while Adoree Jackson could miss this encounter because of a knee injury.
Head To Head
Minnesota has a 17-12 edge all-time against the Giants, winning the last four meetings against them, most recently in 2019 when Cousins hit Adam Thielen for a pair of scores and Dan Bailey kicked four field goals to help the Vikings win 28-10.
These teams have met in the postseason three times, and the last occasion in 2001 was no contest as Kerry Collins threw five touchdown passes, two to Ike Hilliard, as New York crushed Minnesota 41-0, advancing to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
The closest postseason affair between these franchises came in the 1997 Wildcard Round when Eddie Murray booted three field goals, and Randall Cunningham hit Jake Reed for a 30-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as the Vikes won 23-22.
New York last defeated Minnesota in 2004 when Tiki Barber ran for a pair of touchdowns, as did Mike Cloud, helping the Giants to a 34-13 victory.
We say: Minnesota Vikings 35-24 New York Giants
It does not take much to get the Purple and Gold going offensively, and we expect their receiving corps to have another impressive outing against a New York defence that have been below average for most of the year in pass coverage.
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