The Minnesota Vikings will face off against the New York Giants at 1:00 ET on Sunday, September 8th. This matchup is being played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
The Giants are the underdog at +102 on the money line as they prepare to face the Vikings at 1:00 ET on Sunday, September 8th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The Vikings are favored on the road with a money line of -122 and a point spread of -1.5. This week one matchup, the first game of the season for both teams, is being televised on FOX, with the over/under line set at 41.5 points.
- Date: Sunday, September 8th
- Time: 1:00 ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
- TV: FOX
Vikings vs Giants
The Vikings’ home struggles were a big part of their season, as they went 2-6 at home but were 5-4 on the road. Minnesota finished the 2023 season with a 7-10 record, placing them 3rd in the NFC North and 10th in the NFC overall. Within their division, they went 2-4, and they struggled in non-conference games, going only 1-4. When favored, the Vikings went 4-3, but as underdogs, they went 3-7.
Against the spread, the Vikings were 7-7-3. They were 5-1-3 on the road and 2-6 at home. Their over/under record for the season was 7-10, and their games averaged a combined 41.5 points. Their record vs. the spread was 7-7-3.
The Vikings struggled at home last season, going 2-6, but performed better on the road with a 5-4 record. Overall, they finished the 2023 season with a 7-10 record, placing them 3rd in the NFC North and 10th in the NFC. Within their division, they went 2-4, and they really struggled in non-conference games, going only 1-4. When favored, the Vikings went 4-3, and they were 3-7 as the underdog.
Against the spread, the Vikings were 7-7-3, with a 5-1-3 record on the road and a 2-6 record at home. Their over/under record for the season was 7-10, and their games averaged a combined 41.5 points. Minnesota’s record vs. the spread was 7-7-3.
Vikings Injury Report
- T.J. Hockenson – Knee (Out)
- Mekhi Blackmon – Knee (acl) (Out)
- NaJee Thompson – Knee (Out)
- Jeremy Flax – Undisclosed (Out)
- Dalton Risner – Back (Out)
- J.J. McCarthy – Knee (Out)
- Gabriel Murphy – Undisclosed (Out)
- Jordan Kunaszyk – Undisclosed (Out)
- Nick Muse – Undisclosed (Questionable)
- Jerry Tillery – Lower Leg (Questionable)
- Blake Cashman – Finger (Questionable)
- Jordan Addison – Ankle (Questionable)
Giants Injury Report
- Isaiah McKenzie – Undisclosed (Out)
- Matthew Adams – Undisclosed (Out)
- Yodny Cajuste – Undisclosed (Out)
- Elijah Riley – Undisclosed (Out)
- Chase Cota – Collarbone (Out)
- Evan Neal – Ankle (Questionable)
- Dyontae Johnson – Ankle (Out)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. – Ankle (Probable)
- Drew Lock – Hip (Questionable)
- John Michael Schmitz Jr. – Ankle (Questionable)
- Gunner Olszewski – Groin (Doubtful)
- Carter Coughlin – Lower Body (Questionable)
- Micah McFadden – Hip (Questionable)
- Austin Schlottmann – Leg (Out)
Vikings Offense Breakdown
Minnesota’s offense was 18th in the league last season, averaging 20.2 points per game, which ranked 22nd. They put together a solid passing attack, ranking 5th in the NFL with 256.4 passing yards per game. The Vikings’ 37.1 passing attempts per game were the 6th most in the league. However, their running game struggled, ranking 28th in attempts and 29th in yards.
Overall, the Vikings averaged 347.8 yards per game and 5.5 yards per play, both of which were 11th in the NFL. In terms of sustaining drives, they were 7th in the league in the percentage of first downs coming from passing plays, but dead last in the percentage of first downs coming from the run.
Playing in five games last season for the 49ers, Sam Darnold is entering his 7th season in the league. He is now with the Vikings and has already played in one game, completing 60.9% of his passes (28 completions on 46 attempts) for 297 yards. Darnold has two touchdowns and one interception heading into week two against the Giants.
Giants Offense Breakdown
Minnesota’s offense was 18th in the league last season, averaging 20.2 points per game, which ranked 22nd. They were 11th in yards per game and 10th in yards per play, averaging 347.8 yards per contest. The Vikings were a pass-heavy offense, ranking 6th in passing attempts per game with 37.1 and 5th in passing yards per game, averaging 256.4 yards through the air.
However, their rushing game struggled, finishing 28th in attempts and 29th in yards. They managed only 91.4 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per attempt, with 32nd in the percentage of first downs coming from rushing plays.
Playing in six games last season, Daniel Jones threw for 909 yards on 108 completions. He finished with a 67.5% completion percentage and threw two touchdowns, but also had six interceptions. Jones is entering his 6th season in the league, looking to improve on his limited playing time from last year.
Vikings Team Defense
Minnesota’s defense was tough on the road last season, allowing just 19.6 points per game, the 4th best figure in the NFL. However, at home, they gave up 23.2 points per game. Overall, they allowed 21.3 points per game, ranking 12th in the league. The Vikings’ defense forced 22 takeaways, which was 9th in the league, and they finished the season with a turnover differential that was right in the middle of the pack.
Opposing quarterbacks completed 70.3% of their passes against Minnesota, ranking 30th in the league. The Vikings were 17th in quarterback hits and 12th in sacks. Against the run, they were tough to score on, giving up the 6th fewest rushing touchdowns. However, in the passing game, they gave up the 7th most passing touchdowns.
Giants Team Defense
The Vikings’ defense forced 22 takeaways last season, ranking 9th in the league, but they finished the season with a turnover differential that was only 16th. In terms of yards allowed, they were right in the middle of the pack, ranking 16th with 333.2 yards per game. They allowed 21.3 points per game, which was 12th in the NFL. Minnesota did a good job of taking the ball away at home, where they forced 13 of their 22 turnovers.
Opposing quarterbacks completed 70.3% of their passes against Minnesota, which was 30th in the NFL. Additionally, quarterbacks had a collective passer rating of 93.16 against the Vikings, ranking 26th in the league. One positive note is that they were tough to run against, allowing just 3.8 yards per attempt, which was 4th best in the NFL.
Vikings vs Giants Trends
- In their last ten games away from home, the Vikings have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 6-1-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 21 points per game in these contests.
- In their last ten games at home, the Giants have a straight up record of 2-8 while going 3-7 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 16 points per game in these contests.
- In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Giants have a straight up record of 4-6 and an ATS mark of 6-3-1.
- As the betting favorite, the Vikings have an ATS mark of just 0-2-1 in their last three games. Minnesota posted a straight up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.
Vikings vs Giants Prediction
Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Vikings to cover as road favorites in this week one matchup between the Giants and Vikings. Right now, the point spread lines have the Vikings at -1.5, and we have them winning by a score of 24-17.
For the over/under, with the line sitting at 41.5 points, we are leaning towards taking the under with a projected combined score of 41 points.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:September 3, 2024 Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants