Intriguing Game- NFL, Week 16
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Giants: That was a huge win for them on Sunday night. Entering that game, I said they had to make the game ugly because they lack explosiveness in the passing game, and they don’t have the balance. In other words, if they try and get into a shootout with teams, they will lose because they’d be jumping out of their box. Their offensive philosophy is simple. Establish Saquon Barkley early and often, then the rest will follow and that’s exactly what they did against the Washington Commanders. I was really impressed with the defense, especially Kayvon Thibodeaux and he recorded the trifecta for a defensive player which is when he forces the fumble, recovers the ball and scores. What they did on display as a football team is exactly what New York Giants football is all about. They were able to snap a streak in which they hadn’t won a football game. Prior to the Commanders showdown, the last time they won was when they defeated the Houston Texans back in November, so to say it’s been a while has been an understatement. This has been a year of reintroducing themselves to the football world I’ll say. For the last few seasons around this time, they’ve already been eliminated, and they were looking ahead to the NFL Draft and the following season. Now, they are amid a playoff hunt in the very competitive NFC with a record of 8-5-1. On Christmas Eve, they will be on the road again, this time in Minneapolis, Minnesota with the champions of the NFC North.
Vikings: So, I will get this out of the way. Congratulations on the biggest comeback in NFL history. They were down by 33 points at the half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts and they found a way to come back. Now that I got that out of the way, I’ll say what I really want too now. Week 15 just further proved why I have absolutely no faith in them and that may sound harsh of me to say, but I’m only being honest. Yes, they have an 11-3 record, and they won the division. Also, an obvious change was needed at Head Coach. I’ve said this on the radio throughout the year and I’ll say it here again. Many of these games they’ve been able to pull away from this season would have resulted in losses if Mike Zimmer is still coaching this team. I like what Kevin O’Connell has been able to do in his first season as the Vikings head coach. Who are the real Vikings? They haven’t looked like the same team after that massive win against the Buffalo Bills. The Cowboys punched them in the mouth the following week and they’ve still been floating along. Out of the division leaders in the NFC (Eagles & 49ers), the Vikings scare me the least and it’s because of the defense. I’m not going to knock Kirk Cousins because it’s the “easy thing” to do. Kirk can only play on one side of the ball. They will welcome a scrappy Giants team to town on Saturday afternoon.
Giants X-Factor: Isaiah Hodgins– Whenever Daniel Jones has needed to find a receiver to get the ball too, this is who he’s targets. Daboll tries to use Isaiah in different ways and lines him up in the slot primarily to be that chain user. In other words, he’s been the Sterling Shepard replacement. I like the fight Isaiah plays with and he plays as if he were a Running Back with the ball in his hands.
Vikings X-Factor: Dalvin Tomlinson– The former Giant himself. He’s been a force amongst this Minnesota defensive line. Dalvin is excellent when it comes to shedding blockers and making tackles. He’s been their best run stopper and is that lane eater on the interior of the d line. Dalvin gets off the ball as if he were a Defensive End playing inside. His release is quick and physical.
Final Thoughts: These are two old school teams we have here. Who’s ready for some Christmas Eve football? I can see the Giants offense having their best performance of the season here because that Vikings defense is very hit or miss. I don’t trust them and I could see them making Daniel Jones look like the second coming of prime Eli Manning. The Vikings must do all they can to bottle up Saquon and dare Daniel to beat them. Which Minnesota team shows up? They can’t allow themselves to get down early as they did last weekend against the Colts. A fast start I believe is crucial for them. The Vikings must also lean on the ground game as the Giants allow the third-most rushing yards of any other team in the league. If they can use Dalvin Cook early on, that will wear down the New York defense.
Prediction: Vikings 23, Giants 20
