The Minnesota Vikings’ defense may very well be the best in the NFL. In week three, the unit helps the Carolina Panthers to 10 points as the Vikings won 22-10 in Carolina. This week, the 3-0 club gets to host the 2-1 New York Giants. The Giants are coming off a hard loss at home to the Washington Redskins by the score of 29-27.
The Vikings have been one of the most surprising teams to open the season. In the pre-season, the club lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a gruesome leg injury. That resulted in a trade for Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles. Bradford would sit out week one, and then during his debut in week two, running back Adrian Peterson went down with a knee injury. Despite that, Bradford and Stefon Diggs led the club to a surprising win against rivals the Green Bay Packers in the teams home opener. Then in week three, where I expected the team to fall off after such a huge divisional win, the team went into Carolina and beat the Panthers.
This is in large part thanks to the defense. The team has not allowed more than 16 points in a single game, and it is not because they have faced low-level teams. The Titans have some solid pieces on offense. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, and Eddie Lacy. And Cam Newton is one of the most electric players in the league. But the defensive unit has been huge and allows Bradford to run a safe offense that has the potential to explode when Diggs gets involved.
But now they are coming off two major wins. And they are getting a team coming off a hard loss to the Giants, who are another team that should not be taken lightly. The Giants have a much-improved defense themselves. Eli Manning and offense have experience on their side, plus a dynamic rookie in Sterling Shepard. Their main questions come at the running back position, with Shane Vereen now gone for at least eight weeks. Rashad Jennings may or may not be ready for this one. Look for rookie Paul Perkins to get a look this week.
Both clubs have solid defenses. Both teams have capable offenses. So you would think to take the team that’s 3-0 and home right?
Not so fast.
The Giants are more than capable of staying within a field goal in this one. I think they are actually going to have a real shot at winning this one, as the Vikings are going to have a hangover game one of these weeks. I am just banking on it being this week with my pick.
Line: Min -4, O/U: 43.5
Pick: Giants and the under
Result: Min 24 – NYG 10, Vikings and the under
To see the spreads and over/under for each week four match-up, make sure you head over to our master sheet right here!