Giants vs. Vikings: 2023 NFL NFC Wild Card Weekend Picks & Predictions (Sunday)

Dramatic victories and doubters who claimed the Minnesota Vikings weren’t as good as a 13-4 record and NFC North championship suggests have defined the team’s season up to this point.  Now comes their chance to prove the skeptics wrong, starting with Sunday’s NFC wild card round battle at home against the New York Giants.

Will the Vikings pull off another last-minute win? Or do the Giants get their revenge? Let’s take a closer look.

NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Guide >>

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

2023 NFL NFC Wild Card Best Bets for Sunday: Giants vs. Vikings

Details

• Opening Line: Vikings -2.5 | O/U 47.5
• Current Line: Vikings -3 | O/U 48.5
• Last meeting: December 24, 2022 – Giants 24, Vikings 27

Overview

The Giants are all too aware of this season’s Minnesota magic.

When the clubs faced up on Christmas Eve in Minneapolis, the Vikings prevailed 27-24 thanks to a last-second 61-yard field goal by kicker Greg Joseph (just one of their incredible, 11 one-score victories). Only the 23-7 victory in the season opener over Green Bay and the 29-13 triumph over Chicago last week could be categorized as relatively easy wins.

Can Minnesota succeed in the spotlight of the postseason? The offensive line’s performance is a factor in the answer and they might be without right tackle Brian O’Neill (injured in Week 17 loss at Green Bay) and center Garrett Bradbury (back) due to injuries.

Cousins’ ability to throw to Justin Jefferson gives him an advantage over other quarterbacks regardless of who lines up in front of him this postseason. Jefferson has been virtually unstoppable this year, including in that Christmas matchup vs. the Giants.

Jefferson destroyed the Giants’ defense in Week 16’s triumph, hauling in 12 of his 16 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. On the season, Jefferson had 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns.

The first three years of Jefferson’s professional career are among the best ever among receivers, ringing in an astounding 324 passes for 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, New York promises to be prepared for the considerable challenge he poses.

Bottom Line

By maintaining offensive ball control and keeping Jefferson on the sidelines, New York (9-7-1) will do its best to limit Jefferson’s total influence on the game. With Saquon Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones healthy, the Giants believe they are capable of doing that.

After two poor, injury-plagued seasons, Barkley recovered to carry for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns this year while also collecting 57 receptions.

And then there’s Jones.

Under first-year coach Brian Daboll, Jones had the best of his four NFL seasons, tossing for 3,205 yards with a 15-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio while rushing for 708 yards and seven touchdowns. I like for a strong performance from the Jones-Barkley duo to be the difference in this one.

Pick: Giants +3

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