What face will the Vikings show in the Playoffs?

Christmas reloaded – at least that applies to our Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants tip, as both teams already met on Christmas Eve. Also at the U.S. Bank Stadium and with the better end for the Vikings.

However, it took a 61-yard field goal by kicker Greg Joseph with the clock running out. Before that we had seen a completely even game, in which both defenses stood well for a long time, before the post went off in the last quarter.

For Sunday we expect a more defensive game at the beginning, as the Vikings will not repeat the mistake they made more often in the regular season. Again and again they ran into the open knife, especially at the beginning of a game.

We also don’t believe that they will score 28 points again in the last quarter. Therefore, our forecast for Minnesota vs. New York is a game that sees under 50 total points. The outcome is completely open in our view.

Kickoff of this rematch is Sunday night at 10:30pm in Minneapolis. The match can be watched live on ProSieben, ran.de and on DAZN.

Minnesota Vikings – Statistics & current form

Minnesota Vikings. There is hardly an NFL expert who dares to predict how the Vikings will be laid out next weekend. Anything is possible, from an unchallenged win to a drubbing.

Maybe the fact that it’s the playoffs will help them. Experience shows that teams tend to be a bit more cautious at first, so the Vikings shouldn’t be down by more than 20 points at half-time.

Can Cousins make playoffs?

A lot will also depend on the day-to-day form of Kirk Cousins, one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the league. Some days he’s world-class, others county-class. He hasn’t been able to prove himself in the playoffs that often in his career.

Captain Kirk has only played in four playoff games in his career, three of which he lost. His passer rating in those games averaged 86.6% – rather mediocre. It will be interesting to see how experienced or cocky he is this weekend.

However, since his counterpart Daniel Jones is playing his very first playoff game, he even has an experience advantage despite his limited experience. Not a factor to be underestimated, especially with quarterbacks in the league’s performance midfield.

Tight game well possible

The 27-24 loss to the Giants on Christmas was just another close game for the Vikings this season – a full eleven of their games ended with a margin of only one score. Since we don’t expect an absolute high-scoring game, this is very conceivable again on Sunday.

Then small things will decide. Either a big play by Jefferson or Cook or one of the many interceptions by Cousins (14 in the regular season). Because of this uncertainty, we don’t want to commit to a winner in this game.

So for Vikings vs Giants, the odds are slightly better to bet on subpar points than a win. Alternatively, we can of course bet on another close game, with tip on Giants +6 being a good option.

Key Players:
QB: Kirk Cousins
RB: Dalvin Cook
WR: Justin Jefferson
TE: Irv Smith Jr.
K: Greg Joseph

New York Giants – stats & recent form

For the first time in six years, we see the Giants back in the playoffs. Back then, they still had Eli Manning at quarterback and Ben McAdoo as head coach. Long, long ago. Their new coach Brian Daboll has done a very good job in any case.

After all, their squad is not necessarily one with which a 9-7-1 record would have been expected. But Daboll managed to form a good defence, especially towards the end, and an increasingly strong offence that can really only boast one real superstar in Saquon Barkley.

Barkley and then what comes next?

It might also be the all-important question for Sunday: How much responsibility will Saquon Barkley have to carry and who will come in offensively to support him? Especially towards the end of the season, the Giants managed very well to reduce his workload somewhat, which should speak in favour of a fit Barkley in the playoffs.

For example, he never had more than 18 carries in the last seven games, which is very little for a top running back. Here we must add that he has also been heavily involved in the passing game, though. In the first duel with the Vikings, he ended up with eight catches.

In this game, New York managed to feature other players very well anyway. Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins also had eight catches each, which speaks for a very balanced passing game that also promptly led to 319 passing yards.

Defense as a must-have

If the Giants can put up such a consistent performance again, then there is a lot in it again. However, their defence must also have a good day and at least maintain their season average. That lies at 21.8 conceded points.

If they keep the Vikings under 22 points, then we see a success as quite possible. However, there are too many unknowns in the equation for win bets on them, so under-point bets are preferable here.

After all, Giants games are generally low-scoring. They score 21.5 of their own and allow 21.8 opponent points – giving them 43.3 total points. A number we consider not entirely unrealistic for Sunday.

Key Players:
QB: Daniel Jones
RB: Saquon Barkley
WR: Kenny Golladay
TE: Daniel Bellinger
K: Graham Gano

Minnesota Vikings – New York Giants Head-to-head comparison / H2H record

We have already mentioned the last duel from 24.12. But even before that, the Giants were quite good against the Vikings, winning eight of the last ten duels. A point that is again slightly in Minnesota’s favour.

So we can go back and forth and find points for success for both teams. The running game of the Giants (148.2 points per game), the individual class of Justin Jefferson (1809 yards in total). In the end, it will probably come down to the form of the day.

Or on nerves of steel, which were not bad for either team this season. Both teams won a lot of close games, which leads to their good records. So with Minnesota vs. New York, a tip on another close game is also recommended. Most feasible with handicap bets on the Giants +6 or even +7.

Minnesota Vikings – New York Giants Tip

Playoffs for New York, but in Minnesota. We haven’t even talked about home field advantage yet, and that’s despite the Vikings being at an 8-1 record there. If it comes down to an expected close game, this could tip the scales.

Still, this is too little for us to see the Vikings ahead with a clear handicap. Instead, we prefer Vikings vs. Giants odds of Under 48 total points. Even a few weeks ago, that number was only surpassed by a career long field goal by Greg Joseph.

Touchdown betting is also an option in this game, though we’re most likely to recommend betting on a Justin Jefferson TD here. He is playing in the playoffs for the first time in his career and should be enormously motivated.