Giants (2-1) vs Vikings (3-0)
Last week the Vikings traveled to Carolina and they were down 10-2 at the end of the first quarter. The Panthers had won their last 14 home games, but the Vikings did not allow any more points to be scored in that game. The Vikings now own a 3-0 record after defeating the Carolina Panthers 22-10.
The Giants were off to a good start this season after winning their first two games. Last week they did themselves in with turnovers and penalties, and by giving up big plays to the Redskins. The end result was a 29-27 home loss to the Washington Redskins.
Giants - Redskins Wrap-Up

The Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings won the NFC North Division Championship last year. They had to beat the Giants and then Green Bay in the final season game for that to happen. Defensive specialist Mike Zimmer was brought in to be the head coach in 2014 after the Vikings had given up more points than any other team in the NFL. He signed up George Edwards to be his defensive coordinator, and the Vikings improved dramatically in both points and yards allowed. Improvement basically continued on through 2015 to where they were the 5th best defense in the league in the points allowed category, and have moved to 3rd place in 2016. Their efforts in that area were noted above in how they stopped the Panthers last week.
As far as the offense under Zimmer, it's not all good. He brought in Norv Turner from the start to be the offensive coordinator. Even though the rushing attack has been solid, the passing game still needs help, and they finished next to last in the league in that area. Zimmer never sits still and aside from having Turner, who was a former head coach, this year he's brought in coaches Tony Sparano - offensive line, and Pat Shurmur - tight ends. Zimmer now has three former head coaches handling his offense. If that doesn't work out, you might see Tom Coughlin as their wide receivers coach next year.

Vikings Offense
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was doing the job until he suffered a major knee injury in a preseason game. Backup Shaun Hill (36 years old, 15th NFL season) was in for the first game, and Sam Bradford, traded over from the Eagles just 15 days earlier, took over for the first game in their brand new stadium. It was on a Sunday night in primetime against Green Bay and Bradford's 'audition' went very well for him and the team in a 17-14 win. Bradford had a lot on his shoulders with running back Adrian Peterson suffering a right knee injury during the game. They ended up with only 30 total running yards in all, but Bradford brought it home with 286 yards and two touchdowns, making good use of wide receiver Stefon Diggs who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Last week, with Peterson on injured reserve, they netted 58 total yards running. Bradford threw for 171 yards and one touchdown last week in that 22-10 win, so now he's overall three touchdowns with no interceptions while completing 67.8 percent of his passes. Bradford's done well after being thrust into the lead role on such short notice. It might help that Pat Shurmur, the Vikings tight ends coach, was Bradford's offensive coordinator all last season with the Eagles. As you might guess from what you've been reading, the Vikings run game ranks 32nd in the NFL with 51 net rushing yards per game, They had ranked fourth in 2015 and currently this is their biggest area of concern.

Vikings Defense
This defense did a real job on the reigning NFC Champion Carolina Panthers last week, hitting Cam Newton with eight sacks, three interceptions and 22 unanswered points. The unit has stayed relatively healthy except for tackle Sharrif Floyd who tends to have problems staying on the field. His replacement, Shamar Stephen, has done well stopping the run as well as Linval Joseph, who used to play for the Giants. Joseph also has notched a sack in each one of the first three games. Defensive end Everson Griffen has four and defensive end Danielle Hunte has three.
Overall the Vikings lead the NFL in sacks with 15, and takeaways having 9 and as pointed out earlier, they rank third in points allowed at 13.3 a game. Last week the Giants offensive line held up with Bobby Hart filling in at right tackle, and even after the ejection of center Weston Richburg. Manning for the most part had plenty of time to get rid of the ball. He said something earlier in the week 'sometimes turnovers occur (when) you're being aggressive and giving guys shots'. He'll have to play smarter this time out with this group coming at him.

Giants offense
If Eli Manning and his group of talented receivers can beat the Vikings secondary, that's where this game will be won. Even though his completion percentage is 71 percent, he's thrown only 4 touchdowns and had 3 interceptions. Last year he threw 35 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions. Manning is messing up, and he really has to figure that out. It's either miscommunication, or if it's some "big-brother thought' to include everyone on the worry they would feel neglected, wait until the game is well in hand.
They took a big hit in the running game last week losing Shane Vereen during the game. Rashad Jennings was already out with an injury to his wrist and thumb. Orleans Darkwa came in and did well overall, running the ball 10 times for 53 yards and catching one pass for 9 yards. Darkwa could be the go to guy this week although Jennings feels he could be back, but with fumbles being a problem area they might prefer a running back with no worrisome injuries.

Giants defense
The Giants rank fifth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (77.3 per game) and they're catching the Vikings in the mist of a crisis in that area. Even with Adrian Peterson, their run numbers were not that good and some of that is on their offensive line. Still it will be hard to convince Jerick McKinnon, who last year against the Giants had seven carries for 89 yards, and a career-high two touchdown game. The Giants have seen Sam Bradford before and know what to expect from him. He's a careful game manager.
Although he's beaten the Giants twice when he was with the Eagles last season, Bradford's numbers were not that good, with 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. The makeup of this defense will look a bit different to him, but he does catch a break here, as cornerbacks Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) are questionable for this game. If they do play, you have to wonder how effective and how long will they be able to last. Safeties Nat Berhe and Darian Thompson are in that same boat. Safety Landon Collins blew a play last Sunday that led to a long touchdown that Rodgers-Cromartie was almost able to prevent. He'll have to play smarter.

Overall
The Giants had lost six games after being tied or in the lead in the fourth quarter when these two teams faced each other in the next to last game of the 2015 season. The Giants would have gladly taken one of those losses, as the game wasn't even close. Odell Beckham Jr. was serving out his one game suspension, and Eli Manning threw three interceptions while searching for available targets.
The Giants lost to the Vikings 49-17, but this time Manning has two receivers who were not there for that game, Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard. Also, Odell Beckham Jr. will have a chance to make up for his missed opportunity. Will that be enough? It certainly helps, but after seeing how Ben McAdoo wasn't able to maintain control of his team last week, and how Eli Manning has been so mistake prone of late, it's hard to believe they could beat a well coached team like the Vikings right now.

NFC East Games
Sunday at 1:00pm Browns (0-3) at Redskins (1-2)
Sunday at 4:25pm Cowboys (2-1) at 49ers (1-2)
Monday at 8:30pm Giants (2-1) at Vikings (3-0)
The Cowboys and Redskins are the NFC East teams favored to win in these games. Check out.
Giants On The Air. Listen to the Radio Broadcasts.
Giants DVDs and Posters.

Giants Eli Manning, in seven games against the Vikings, has thrown 5 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Giants road game vs. the Vikings in 2010 was in Detroit after the Metrodome roof collapsed in a snowstorm.

Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph played for the Giants from 2010-2013.

Vikings defense and special teams have put up 3 of the Vikings 6 touchdowns (plus a safety).

Vikings Sam Bradford played the Giants twice last year with the Eagles and he won in both games.

Vikings will play in their first Monday night home game since Oct. 5, 2009 against Green Bay.

Vikings have had seven consecutive losses on Monday Night Football since Dec. 28, 2009. Check out.
Giants On The Air. Listen to the Radio Broadcasts.
Giants DVDs and Posters.

TeamGiants on Twitter.
Next Games
Oct 9 - Giants at Green Bay.
Giants Tickets  -  Buy or Sell
Oct 16 - Ravens at Giants.
Giants Tickets  -  Buy or Sell

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