Giants vs Vikings Wild Card Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks

· Jan 12 - 6 minutes read

It will be a rematch between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings, who played each other in Week 16 on Christmas Eve. The Vikings (13-4) barely came out of that game with a win, needing a 61-yard field goal to keep it from going to overtime.

Last week, the sixth-seeded Giants (9-7-1) rested many of their key players, letting their third-string quarterback start the game, but managed to keep it close with the No. 1 seed Philadelphia Eagles in a 22-16 loss. For the No. 3 seed Vikings, they beat up on the Chicago Bears, 29-13 as the starters played to shake off the feelings of a blowout loss the prior week.

Giants vs Vikings Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks

Let’s check the latest NFL odds, stats, injury reports, and NFL lines for the Giants vs Vikings. We’ve plenty of Vegas NFL odds for NFL Wild Card Playoffs Games.

Giants vs Vikings Betting Lines

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Giants Have Nothing to Lose

The Giants are the clear underdog in this Wild Card game. Under first-year coach Brian Daboll, it has been a surprise they are in the playoffs, let alone sitting at 6-2 before their bye week. But now they are here and given their last meeting with the Vikings, they have hope of pulling off the upset.

On offense, it goes through the legs of quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. The Giants‘ offense has the fourth-most rushing yards and touchdowns, largely thanks to those two. Barkley had a career year with 1,312 rushing yards, adding 10 touchdowns after two injury-riddled seasons. He had been slowing again while dealing with injuries, but sitting out the last game should have him more than ready to face the Vikings. He rushed for six yards per carry in Week 16.

More importantly, the defense got a much-needed rest. Key defensive linemen in Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence were given the week off to rest up and be ready to face the Vikings. The defense had four sacks in the last matchup with the Vikings and will look to create havoc again. Furthermore, corner Adoree Jackson looks to make his return from being out since Week 11, and safety Xavier McKinney seems ready to play. Both missed the first game with the Vikings.

Offense Must Lead the Vikings

This Vikings’ season has been peculiar. They are tied for the second-best record in the NFC but ended the season with a -3 point differential. Part of that is because three of their four losses were blowouts, while the other was by 11. On top of that, they have not won by over 10 points except for their first and final games. But, the Vikings have been great in close games, primarily due to a top-tier offense that makes up for a defense that has put them in bad spots.

Kirk Cousins has had a great season, throwing for 4,547 yards and 29 touchdowns. Justin Jefferson, his primary target, led the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) to go with eight touchdowns. The passing game is capped with tight end T.J. Hockenson, who was traded for midseason. His best game on the Vikings came against the Giants with 109 yards and two touchdowns. Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn have also played a role in the receiving game, each with at least 650 yards while combining for 11 touchdowns.

Can’t forget about Dalvin Cook, having his fourth straight season of over 1,100 yards on the ground, which has helped this offense be one of the best in the NFL. They are eighth in points and seventh in yards.

The defense has been the downfall, which has been terrible, giving up 25.1 points per game, fifth most, and the second most yards. The secondary has been the problem, allowing the second-most passing yards.

Giants vs Vikings Game Injuries

Giants vs Vikings Head-to-Head

The Giants have lost to the Vikings in their last four meetings, and the last time they won was in 2013. They already played a great game this season in Minnesota. Despite the loss, Jones had one of his best passing games with 334 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

Giants vs Vikings Game Information

Game: Giants vs Vikings
Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m. EST
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
How to watch the Giants vs Vikings? FOX
Giants vs Vikings Live stream: NFL Game Pass

Giants vs Vikings Game Weather Conditions

The Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium is an indoor stadium, so the weather will not affect the game.

Giants vs Vikings Picks and Prediction

Predicted score: Giants 23, Vikings 21

Worth Betting on the Moneyline?

The Vikings are on upset watch against the Giants this Wild Card weekend. The Giants made mistakes in the first game, which could have cost them. The defense is getting healthy and New York should have learned from its mistakes on offense, which is in rhythm against a poor Vikings defense.

Worth Betting ATS?

The Giants have been good against the spread, going 13-4, while the Vikings are 7-9-1. With the line set at -3 in favor of the Vikings, there is a good chance that the Giants should be able to make it a close game. Also, both teams have been in close games all season, which may lead to that happening again.

Worth Betting on the Totals?

Neither team has a great defense, which could lead to significant opportunities for the offenses to have big games. Yet this is still the playoffs, and they could be more conservative. The Giants’ defense will be healthier this time, and the offense does not have the explosive talent at receiver to take advantage of the Vikings’ weakness in the secondary.

BET THIS PICK: New York Giants (+3) -110

The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.