New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings: Game Preview and Prediction

Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) talks to running back Adrian Peterson (28) in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Week 16 is a key juncture of the season that still possesses playoff implications in most games. A Sunday night tilt between the New York Giants & Minnesota Vikings have division and playoff importance on the line for both teams. Here is my preview of a noteworthy, prime-time showdown.

Why New York May Win

The odds of the New York Giants strolling into Minneapolis and picking up a much-needed win were obviously greater if Odell Beckham Jr. were in uniform. The likelihood of that occurrence has diminished greatly with OBJ facing suspension for one game based on his actions in the week 15 matchup vs. Carolina. That is more than a significant blow to the offensive game plan of the Giants as Beckham as garnered 151 targets on the season while the next in line is WR Rueben Randle with just 78. The combination of Randle, Dwayne Harris, Shane Vereen, and Rashad Jennings are going to have to truly step up and provide a considerable amount of help as the loss of OBJ will truly be missed.

The defense of the Giants has been a red flag all season. Dead last in yards allowed and 31st in yards allowed per play (6.1). Not to mention even being dead last in passing yards allowed. If there is one gleam of hope, in the midst of a 35-7 deficit by Carolina, the defense buckled down and played like a totally different unit which help provide a lane for the offense to make a comeback. One key stat to know for the defense is that they are fifth in the league in takeaways. Which means this unit can cause some turnovers and may actually be their only way of staying in games.

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Why Minnesota May Win

Minnesota may win simply because of the machine they have at running back in Adrian Peterson. The play of Peterson has spearheaded a rushing attack that is fifth overall in rushing. AP has beat up defenses once again with 1,314 yards and nine touchdowns. WR Stefan Diggs has surprised many with his stellar rookie season (47 catches, 693 yards, four TDs) but in reality, the passing game as a whole has been a slight disappointment. QB Teddy Bridgewater (2,964 passing yards, 13 TDs, eight INTs) has been “ok” for the most part but many people, including myself, have been a little discouraged by the play of Teddy B in 2015. Some of that has to do with an o-line that has been a liability so he is forgiven.

The defense has been very, very good in 2015 and coach Mike Zimmer has truly turned this defense into a true asset. The Vikings are eighth in points allowed, 13th in yards allowed, and seventh in passing yards allowed. The defense is led by a pair of former UCLA linebackers in Eric Kendricks (62 tackles) and Anthony Barr (51) who are a couple of seasons away from challenging Carolina’s Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis as the best linebacker duo in the league, in my opinion. DEs Everson Griffin, Danielle Hunter, and Brian Robison will be a problem for a Giants offensive line that is third in the league in sacks allowed per game.

Who Will Win

If OBJ were suiting up, I would have given the Giants a respectable chance of winning or at least making it competitive. Yet, I haven’t seen anything from the Giants throughout the season the leads me to believe that they can make things happen without Beckham. The running game has been subpar at best, Randle hasn’t shown enough consistency, and the offensive line has been just as inconsistent. For the Giants to make this a game, the defense has to be playing in playoff-mode and causing several turnovers.

I expect Minnesota to look as arguably the best they have looked all year. We may possibly see an excellent game from Minnesota with production in all three facets. Unless the Giants defense make some turnovers, this may get out of hand quickly.

Vikings 38 Giants 15