Get to Know the Vikings Opponent: Wild Card vs. New York Giants
Josh Frey
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In the Minnesota Vikings first playoff game since the 2019 season, they play host to the New York Giants in the Wild Card round. Prior to the two teams meeting on Sunday afternoon, let’s get to know the Vikings opponent for the first round of the NFL playoffs.
Recent Schedule
- Week 14 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Loss, 22-48
- Week 15 @ Washington Commanders: Win, 20-12
- Week 16 @ Minnesota Vikings: Loss, 24-27
- Week 17 vs. Indianapolis Colts: Win, 38-10
- Week 18 @ Philadelphia Eagles, Loss, 16-22
Stat Leaders
Passing
- Completions: Daniel Jones (317)
- Pass Attempts: Daniel Jones (472)
- Passing Yards: Daniel Jones (3205)
- Passing TDs: Daniel Jones (15)
- Interceptions: Daniel Jones (5)
Rushing
- Rushing Attempts: Saquon Barkley (295)
- Rushing Yards: Saquon Barkley (1312)
- Rushing TDs: Saquon Barkley (10)
Receiving
- Targets: Saquon Barkley (76)
- Receptions: Two Tied (57)
- Receiving Yards: Darius Slayton (724)
- Receiving TDs: Two Tied (4)
Defense
- Tackles: Jullian Love (124)
- Solo Tackles: Jullian Love (79)
- Tackles for Loss: Two Tied (7)
- Sacks: Dexter Lawrence (7.5)
- Interceptions: Two Tied (2)
- Pass Defenses: Fabian Moreau (10)
Kicking
- Field Goals Made: Graham Gano (29)
- Field Goals Attempted: Graham Gano (32)
- Longest Field Goal: Graham Gano (57 yards)
- XPs Made: Graham Gano (32)
- XPs Attempted: Graham Gano (34)
Punting
- Total Punts: Jamie Gillan (74)
- Punt Yards: Jamie Gillan (3463)
- Yards per Punt: Jamie Gillan (46.8)
- Net Yards per Punt: Jamie Gillan (40.2)
- Longest Punt: Jamie Gillan (69 yards)
Storylines to Watch
Two First-Year Head Coaches in the Playoffs
Both head coaches of these teams went into their jobs with many things to fix, but each of Brian Daboll and Kevin O’Connell have handled the task beautifully, getting their teams into the playoffs during their first seasons of coaching.
These two teams have run strong offenses onto the field on a weekly basis, but the philosophies are very different. Daboll’s Giants are top five in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns while the Vikings are top five in passing yards and passing touchdowns. We’ll see which strategy emerges on top this Sunday.
41-0 Revenge?
The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, it was January 14th, 2001, for the NFC Championship Game. In that game, the Giants obliterated the Vikings to a tune of a 41-0 rout. Of course, this time around, the stakes aren’t quite as high, but it is still a playoff game.
The Vikings are favored by 3 points heading into the game, and it’s a very popular upset choice to say the Giants will win this game. There would be no sweeter revenge for that game than kicking off a playoff run by avenging that loss almost exactly 22 years later.
Justin Jefferson’s First Taste of the Playoffs
In his third NFL season, Justin Jefferson emerged as the clear choice for best receiver in the league by leading the league in both receptions and receiving yards. Now, he gets a chance to show what he can do under the bright lights for the very first time. It also comes against the team that he lit up for 12 receptions, 133 yards, and a touchdown in Week 16. Hopefully, he can replicate that performance again.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.