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The suspension of Odell Beckham Jr. takes some of the lustre away from Sunday night’s New York Giants at Minnesota Vikingmatchup but the game is still no less important to both teams as the NFL playoffs draw near, Big Blue is hanging on by a threadto any chance of winning the NFC East and will in fact have already been eliminated if the Redskins beat the Eagles on Saturday. The Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a win here and can still win the NFC North should Green Bay falter the next two weeks. The game opened at Vikes -6.5 with the total 45 1/2. Early Giants money sent the line down to as low as Minny -5.5 but take back on
the G-Men has put the number on -6 almost everywhere. The total has dropped a full point to 44 1/2. This game was “flex-scheduled”into the NBC Sunday night slot and it will be frigid in the Twin Cities with temperatures at kickoff in the mid-teens. 

If the Giants are still alive at kickoff, they have no margin for error and will need to be near perfect to win here. Big Blue has shown a propensity for giving up late leads and not closing teams out with six of their eight losses (Cowboys, Falcons, Saints, Pats, Jets andPanthers) heart breaking to to say the least. Still, the G-Men will be ready to play and could resort to hard running Rashad Jenningsto keep the chains moving. Eli Manning (3900, 32/11) has had a decent year but with OBJ out and Dwayne Harris doubtful with a bad shoulder, it will be up to Reuben Randle and slot guy Shane Vereen to step up. The Giant defense is last in the league against the pass
which is saying something when you play if the same league as the Saints and also last in total defense which says it all. 

The Vikes will definitely look to “get er done” here and will have an even greater sense of urgency if Green Bay loses at Arizona earlierSunday as Minnesota would still be a position to win the division with a season’s finale win over the Packers. Teddy Bridgewater’s numbers (66%, 2934, 13/8) are not great but he’s done what’s been expected, managing the game and not turning the ball over. Adrian Petersonand his his fresh legs (but gimpy ankle) have rushed for 1314 yards and 9 TDs in this comeback year. Stefon Diggs is Bridgewater’s go to guy (targeted 20% of all pass plays) to go along with a WR corps that also features Mike Wallace and TE Kyle Rudolph. The Vikingdefense has been stellar at times but is battling numerous injuries to the back seven. Do due diligence and update the status of the Minny
secondary before betting this one. 

There are many dynamics surrounding this game, first and foremost is whether or not the Giants have been eliminated before kickoff andalso the Green Bay result. There is not much recent history between the two … the Giants winning the last two games in the series afterlosing the four previous meetings. The Giants last visit here was in 2009. Big Blue is 5-2-1 as a dog this year while the Vikes are 6-1 intheir L7 games as a favorite after losing to San Francisco in it’s opener. NFC East non-division road dogs are just 4-8 ATS this year whileNFC North non-divisional home faves are 8-4. Coughlin’s team won’t quit and three of their four road losses are by six or less. Unless youhave a real feel for either of these teams, it might be better to see how Sunday shakes out before getting involved with this one.