New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings (12/24/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

The Giants head to Minneapolis in a face off between two of this season’s biggest pretenders. Despite many feeling that the record of these teams doesn’t reflect their team’s capabilities, both are currently in the NFL playoffs. Strong coaching performances from both rookie coaches has allowed these teams to over perform expectations, but let’s look at which team’s personnel gives them the best odds to win.

New York Giants Vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Odds

The Vikings are favored (-3.5) over the Giants (+3.5) with Vegas setting the over/under at 47.5. The Giants have yet to prove themselves as a high scoring team, but the Vikings past 4 games have all exceeded 48 points. Picking the over here would follow the Vikings recent trends.

New York Giants Vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction

The Vikings won the NFC North in epic fashion Saturday, overcoming a 33 point deficit, the greatest in NFL history. Clearly HC Kevin O’Connell has got his players believing that no lead is insurmountable and instilled a no-quit attitude into the team. Having WR Justin Jefferson also helps. Jefferson now has a league leading 1,632 yards on the season, and a chance at breaking WR Calvin Johnson’s all time receiving yards record. The Cousins-Jefferson connection certainly opens up the offense and gives the Vikings the chance to come back in any game.

Coach Daboll on the challenge of facing Justin Jefferson

Full video: https://t.co/t9nVgfMu2X pic.twitter.com/sxXRLjF6Ys

— GiantsTV (@GiantsTV) December 22, 2022

The Giants ended a four game streak of failing to win in a must have game against the Commanders Sunday to keep them alive in the playoffs. Thanks to a strong defensive performance and a couple controversial calls/no calls by referees, the Giants remain the 6th seed. DE Kayvan Thibodeaux had a standout performance with 12 tackles and a strip sack which earned him Defensive Player of the Week. The Giants D-Line is also celebrating NT Dexter Lawrence being named to the pro bowl this week. The pass rush and line will be the best way for the Giants to disrupt the Vikings game plan and offense.

I’m taking the Vikings to win and cover. The Vikings continue to prove their resiliency as they are now 10-0 in one score games this season. Even with the Giants big win last Sunday, they have failed to show consistency lately which should bank in the Vikings favor.

Prediction: Vikings 27-23, Over hits.

Betting Trends

Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.
Vikings are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 4-0 in Vikings last 4 games overall.

Key Injuries

New York Giants Injuries: Nick Vannett (Q), Leonard Williams (Q), Kayvon Thibodeaux (Q),
Evan Neal (Q), Shane Lemieux (Q), Adoree’ Jackson (Q)

Minnesota Vikings Injuries: Brian Asamoah (Q), Eric Kendricks (Q), Garrett Bradbury (Q), Everson Griffen (Q), Ty Chandler (Q), Irv Smith (Q)

Check out the key matchups and mismatches for away team vs home team below.

The Vikings Offensive Line vs the Giants Defensive Front

The Vikings offensive line has underperformed the past two weeks. They gave up 7 sacks versus the Colts and 4 to the Lions the week before. It’s no wonder the Vikings were down so many points when their quarterback wasn’t protected. The leaky offensive line has also hurt the run game. Despite having the league’s 6th leading rusher in Dalvin Cook, the Vikings run game ranks 5th worst! The line better protect against Giants DE Kayvon Thibodeaux who exploded against the Commanders with this strip sack returned for a touchdown.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/omfIxcCa59

— New York Giants (@Giants) December 19, 2022

Saquon Barkley vs Vikings Run Defense

The health of RB Saquon Barkley has certainly contributed to the Giants success this season. Barkley has played in every game for the first time since his rookie season and has run for 1,000 yards for the first time in 3 seasons. He is the 4th leading rusher and the lead back on the Giants 6th ranked rushing offense.

Congrats to @saquon for making the Pro Bowl 🔥 #WPMOYChallenge + Barkley pic.twitter.com/63rwEBhHwW

— New York Giants (@Giants) December 22, 2022

However, he has failed to surpass 100 yards in 5 straight games, which may correlate with the Giants recent winning struggles. Barkley goes up against a Vikings run defense which ranks in the bottom half of the league, so hopefully this matchup will allow him to explode out of the backfield again.

New York Giants Depth Chart

QB: Daniel Jones
RB1: Sequin Barkley
RB2: Matt Breida
LWR: Kenny Golladay
RWR: Richie James
SWR: Darius Slayton
TE1: Tanner Hudson

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

QB: Kirk Cousins
RB1: Dalvin Cook
RB2: Alexander Mattison
LWR: Justin Jefferson
RWR: Adam Thielen
SWR: K.J. Osborn
TE1: T.J. Hockenson