It’s time for the NFL playoffs. The cream has risen to the top, as the sports cliche goes. And the teams that didn’t qualify are pondering why — and positioning themselves for the NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings enter the playoffs off a much needed win over the Bears following their blowout loss to Green Bay. Rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell has led the Minnesota Vikings to an impressive 13-4 record and the NFC north crown. What do they get for it, a rematch with the New York Giants on Wildcard weekend.
GridironHeroics previews all of the NFL teams that open postseason play, and we’ll continue it through the entire playoffs.
NFL TEAM: Minnesota Vikings
2022-23 RECORD: 13-4
WEEKEND OPPONENT: New York Giants (9-7-1). Date/Time: 1/15 at 12:30 pm (EST). Where to Watch: Fox Want to see the New York Giants preview? You can find it here.
NFL WEEK ONE POSTSEASON SCHEDULE: Who is playing where and when?
TRENDING?: I guess you can say that the Minnesota Vikings are stumbling into the playoffs a little. Last week felt like a preseason game against the Bears, with the starters out after halftime. Before that was a 41-17 loss at the hands of the Packers. So, things could be going better, but the Vikings are getting their center back in Garrett Bradbury, who had been given a “full go” by O’Connell. This will be a huge boost for the injury plagued offensive line. So, how are the Vikings trending coming into the postseason, about right in the middle.
WHAT IS GOING RIGHT?: The offense. Look, all things considered the Vikings offense has been really good this year. So just how good is their offense? The Vikings rank seventh in yards per game (361.5), eighth in points per game (24.9), and sixth in passing yards per game (263.8). Kirk Cousins has looked good, along with the career season Justin Jefferson has had. Their offense is dangerous, and they have eight fourth quarter comeback wins to back it up.
WHAT IS GOING WRONG?: The Minnesota Vikings’ defense has not been great this year. In fact, it’s one of the worst in the league. The Vikings rank 31st in total yards per game and passing yards per game, and 28th in points per game. Not a great combination. Last time the Vikings played New York they had 445 yards of total offense (NY averaged 333.9 -18th), and Daniel Jones threw for 334 yards (NY averaged 185.7 26th). So, they gave up a lot more yards than the Giants typically average. If they want to win Sunday, the defense is going to need to step up and make sure that doesn’t happen again.
SURPRISE STAR THIS WEEKEND?: The last time these two met Danielle Hunter was a disruptive force on defense, racking up seven tackles, two sacks, four quarterback hits, five pressures, and a 91.8 PFF grade. Hunter will be looked to once again to terrorize the Giants offense. He’ll be needed as the Vikings defense has struggled this season in all aspects including getting pressure on opposing team’s quarterbacks. Hunter will once again be needed to get pressure on Daniel Jones to give aid to a struggling Vikings defense.
THE KEY MATCHUP THIS WEEKEND?: Many would expect Jefferson to be the key this weekend, but it’s Kirk. Cousins is the heartbeat of this offense (though Jefferson would be the MVP). When Kirk Cousins can get time, he’s as good as anyone, and it gets better with Garrett Bradbury back from injury. In week 15 Cousins was great going 34-48, 299 yards and three touchdowns. If Kirk can be comfortable in the pocket, expect big games from a lot of players; Jefferson included.
THE SUMMARY: The Vikings have owned the state of New York this season, sweeping the Bills, Jets, and Giants. They beat the Giants on Christmas Eve 27-24 on a walk-off field goal. The Giants needed to rally in that game to tie in the fourth quarter. The Vikings played some of their best football in that game.
Minnesota hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2019 where they got bounced by the 49ers in the divisional round. While they have a rookie head coach he has about as much experience as you want, having just won a Super Bowl last year with the Rams. This Vikings team has been called fraudulent and are picked to lose. They hear this and they’re going to come out and prove everyone wrong. They are at home and US Bank Stadium will be electirc which will give the Vikings a big advantage.
THE PICK: Minnesota by 4. WHY?: The Vikings beat the Giants 27-24 in week 15, and it took a Giants rally followed by a Greg Joseph 61-yard game winning field goal to win it for the Vikings. It was a white-out last time New York was in Minneapolis on Christmas Eve and if you thought that environment was loud, just wait until Sunday to hear the crowd rocking at the Bank.
Also, both coaches are in their rookie year. Nothing against Brain Daboll (who has done a fantastic job with the Giants this season), but Kevin O’Connell just won a Super Bowl with Sean McVay and the Rams He knows what it takes to get there, he’ll have this Vikings team ready and their going to get the win at the Bank.
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