Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 1, 2016 http://www.espn.com/nfl/preview?gameId=400874677 MINNEAPOLIS -- Nearly a month ago, the Minnesota Vikings lost their starting quarterback and hastily traded for another. Nearly two weeks ago, the Vikings lost their star running back and a key offensive lineman. However, Minnesota hasn't lost a game in more than eight months. Heading into their Monday night matchup with the New York Giants (2-1), the Vikings (3-0) qualify as one of the early surprises in the NFL. They topped the Tennessee Titans before earning surprise wins over the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers despite an unimpressive offense that is now led by a quarterback who didn't arrive in Minnesota until the preseason ended. For these Vikings, it is not about offense. With running back Adrian Peterson gone and new signal-caller Sam Bradford doing just enough to move the ball, Minnesota is winning thanks to defense and special teams. Coach Mike Zimmer -- a defensive specialist during his six years as an assistant with the Bengals -- has a defensive unit that heads into the Giants matchup averaging an NFL-best five sacks per game and is tied for second in interceptions. The Vikings' defensive unit insists it isn't focusing on its own press clippings, instead doing its homework on the Giants and quarterback Eli Manning. "We've got our hands full," said Vikings defensive back Harrison Smith, who had a 35-yard touchdown return after intercepting Manning in late December when the Vikings won 49-17 -- a Giants loss that all but sealed the fate of since-dismissed former coach Tom Coughlin. "They've got a bunch of very talented receivers that pop out on film, so there's definitely a lot to do this week. Anytime you play a quarterback like that, it challenges you." Last year, the teams played outdoors on a cold winter night in Minnesota. This year, the Vikings' sparkling new U.S. Bank Stadium is the site, and conditions will be perfect under the glass roof. The Giants' three-headed tandem of wideouts is sure to test the Minnesota defense on the turf, with rookie Sterling Shepard joining Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr. as deep threats. Shepard, a second-round pick from Oklahoma, caught five passes last week, including his second pro touchdown. While Peterson's absence means that the Giants run defense will get a potential break, there are sudden question marks in the New York backfield as well. In a 29-27 home loss to the Washington Redskins last Sunday, New York running back Shane Vereen was lost, likely for the season, to a triceps injury. That means the Vikings won't be the only team with a "running back by committee" approach. The Giants' Orleans Darkwa and the Vikings' Jerick McKinnon aren't the running backs one would normally expect to delight a national TV audience, but both teams will battle with what they have. "Orleans always runs hard," Giants guard Justin Pugh said. "Even going back to last year, he puts his head down and he's going to get some yards. I'm excited for him to get the opportunity. That's huge, that's something that you dream about, to be the starting running back. He's going to have his chance on 'Monday Night Football.'" In addition to Manning's two interceptions during the Washington loss, the Giants' other glaring issue was penalties. New York was flagged 11 times for 128 yards, a trend that first-year coach Ben McAdoo knows cannot continue. "We knew (the referees) were going to throw the flags, and throw them early and often," McAdoo said. "We need to be a more disciplined football team, and we'll get that fixed. "Yes it's disappointing. We need to be better than that, we are better than that, we need to address it this week, and we're going to fix it." The Vikings had similar troubles in their only other home game, a 17-14 win over the Packers in Week 2, when they were penalized 13 times for 137 yards. That was an error Zimmer vowed to correct as the season goes along. For non-division rivals, there is plenty of recent history between the Giants and Vikings. The Monday game will be the 12th regular-season meeting in the past 16 seasons. Perhaps the most famous Vikings-Giants matchup determined the 2001 NFC title, when New York advanced to the Super Bowl via a 41-0 blowout of Minnesota in the Meadowlands. "They're playing good football," Manning said of the Vikings. "We'll have to see if we can get back on track and play some better football." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 1, 2016 Eli Manning's TD:INT ratio versus the Vikings? 5:14 The Vikings have always eaten Eli Manning alive. Eli has a worse offensive line than either Rodgers or Cam has, and the Vikings beat those two to a pulp. Hence, this is a major trap game. Nevertheless, I have seen a change in culture under Mike Zimmer. I have seen the utter failings and collapses of years past disappear under his regime. I have faith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted October 1, 2016 21 20 Game of the week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 1, 2016 (edited) I just don't see a scenario in which Eli Manning doesn't get annihilated at least 5 times. That's going to cause some turnovers. Minnesota wins this going away is about a 75% chance. NYG wins close like Cherry is predicting is about a 25% chance. Minnesota puts points on the board early and this game is over early. Edited October 1, 2016 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 1, 2016 Is Terrance Newman gonna make Odell cry on national television? 24 30 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted October 1, 2016 I think the Giants defense is good enough to shut down Sadford and then Eli can outgun em. Close game though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) Let's go motherfuckers! Advantage: Offense QB: Giants RB: Vikings WR: Giants lol TE: Vikings OL: Push Offensive advantage: Giants Defense DL: Vikings Pass Rushers: Vikings LB: Vikings lol Secondary: Vikings lol Defensive advantage: Vikings Special Teams Kicker: Giants Punter: Vikings Coverage Units: Vikings lol Returners: Vikings lol Special Teams Advantage: Vikings Coaching Advantage in every way: Vikings lol Edited October 3, 2016 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wentz World 5 Posted October 3, 2016 28 10 I think Sterling Shepherd has a good game against them. While the Vikings get nothing going on offense because the Giants stack the box the whole game and dare Bradford to throw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) ^That doesn't even make sense. Bradford throwing is what allowed the offense to muster enough points to beat two teams who are better than NYG Stacking the box against the Vikings is asinine unless Jerick gets going. Edited October 3, 2016 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wentz World 5 Posted October 3, 2016 Because every week is the same . The Giants D is definitely better than the Packers and Titans "vaulted" Defense. Panthers D is good, but they really miss Josh Norman. Bradford is gonna fold like a lawn chair tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) Bradford could very easily have a poor night but who exactly are the Giants WRs going to torch to the tune of 4 TDs? Also, how is Eli Manning going to stay upright long enough to torch anybody? Football is occasionally illogical, but that's no excuse to predict a score without an ounce of logical reasoning Edited October 3, 2016 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 3, 2016 Give me the Vikings tonight. Their defense has been playing at an elite level, and I think they will force Eli into making some mistakes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 3, 2016 Kinda hoping the Eagles and Vikings are both undefeated when they meet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 3, 2016 Rashad Jennings (thumb) is inactive for Monday night's Week 4 game against the Vikings. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) is active. Orleans Darkwa will make the start in place of Jennings, with Bobby Rainey handling pass-game work and rookie Paul Perkins serving as the No. 3. Also inactive for the Giants are CB Eli Apple, S Nat Berhe, S Darian Thompson, RT Marshall Newhouse, DT Robert Thomas, and QB Josh Johnson. Laquon Treadwell is active for Week 4 against the Giants after being a healthy scratch last week. Treadwell will slide back in as the No. 4/5 receiver, but could start making a move on Charles Johnson in the near future with Johnson not producing much. Inactive for the Vikings are WR Jarius Wright, DT Sharrif Floyd, TE David Morgan, LB Kentrell Brothers, OG Nick Easton, RB Ronnie Hillman, and OT Willie Beavers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted October 4, 2016 Let's go motherfuckers! Advantage: Offense QB: Giants RB: Giants WR: Giants lol TE: Vikings OL: Push Offensive advantage: Giants Defense DL: Giants Pass Rushers: Giants LB: Vikings lol Secondary: Giants Defensive advantage: Giants Special Teams Kicker: Giants Punter: Vikings Coverage Units: Vikings lol Returners: Vikings lol Special Teams Advantage: Vikings Coaching: Vikings FTFY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
56AceInDaPlace 110 Posted October 4, 2016 (edited) I like the Giants defense vs the Vikings offense vs the Vikings defense vs the Giants offense. Vikings offense didn't do much vs our defense. The Giants defense is pretty solid too. If the Giants can avoid turnovers I think they will win by double digits. 27-17 if no turnovers My prediction though is 24-23 Giants Edited October 4, 2016 by 56AceInDaPlace Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted October 4, 2016 Yall appear to all sorely underestimate Minnesota and/or overrate Big Blue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
56AceInDaPlace 110 Posted October 4, 2016 Until Sam Bradford wins me over for at least a full season, I'd say ima keep betting against them in certain games. I picked Giants because Eli normally finds ways to win games he shouldn't win. By pickem standards of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 4, 2016 FTFY You don't honestly believe the changes you made, right? Under no circumstances are the Giants DL, pass rushers, and secondary better than the Vikings lol. It's not even close. JPP is arguably the most overrated player in the NFL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
56AceInDaPlace 110 Posted October 4, 2016 I'd take the Giants corners over the Viking corners. That said I just don't trust Bradford. I can see them going to the divional round and losing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 4, 2016 (edited) I'd take the Giants corners over the Viking corners. That said I just don't trust Bradford. I can see them going to the divional round and losing.ROFL We are 5 deep at corner. Get real, son. Rhodes made Beckham his bitch lol Edited October 4, 2016 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 4, 2016 God... Fuck this Vikings defense... Too damn good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
56AceInDaPlace 110 Posted October 4, 2016 ROFL We are 5 deep at corner. Get real, son. Rhodes made Beckham his bitch lol From body of work im taking Jenkins and Cromartie over Rhodes. Vikings defense is really the front 7. They do have Harrison but the corners arent better individually. Now as the scheme yes the Vikings fit better. Zimmer is a hell of a coach. I wanted him when he left Cinncy. We got wiz instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 4, 2016 Jenkins/DRC or Rhodes/Waynes/Newman/Munnerlyn/Alexander? If you don't pick Minny, you're nuts. Rhodes is better than both Jenkins and DRC and Waynes is on his way there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 4, 2016 Munnerlyn doesn't suck anymore? What changed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
