Just 3 weeks ago, the Giants suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Minnesota Vikings on a 61-yard game-winning field goal at the horn. On Sunday, the G-Men will play in their first playoff game since 2016 in the Super Wild Card round, with a shot at revenge against those same Minnesota Vikings. Since that game on Christmas Eve, both teams have been trending in opposite directions. One week after the loss, the Giants had an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot at home against the Colts. The Giants did so in convincing fashion, blowing out the Colts with the help of Daniel Jones who threw two touchdowns and ran two in himself. As for the Vikings, the next week they played in Lambeau Field against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and were embarrassed by the score of 41-17. In Week 18 Minnesota looked to gain some confidence back in a beatdown of a deflated Bears team who will be picking first in this year's draft. As for New York, they rested their starters in a game that didn't matter to them, yet they still were in a game with the NFC's best team the Eagles. Even with that loss the Giants still seem like they have a lot of momentum and there is an overall sense that they have unfinished business in Minnesota. With that said, this game won't be easy by any means and the Giants will need to be on top of their game. Anyway, here are 3 players who need to step up for Big Blue, in order to get their first playoff win since Super Bowl 46.
1. Fabian Moreau/Adoree' Jackson
Looking back at the Giant's first matchup versus the Vikings there was one glaring problem the Giants had defensively, and his name is Justin Jefferson. He led the league in both receptions and yards this season and that was evident the last time these two teams met. With Adoree' Jackson out due to injury in that game, Moreau was responsible for Jefferson for the majority of the game, and he did not fair well. JJ had 12 receptions for 133 yards and TD. As I am typing this right now, Jackson is officially listed as questionable for the game. If he ends up being active he would likely be man to man vs Jefferson a lot during the game. Being the team's only true number-one corner, getting him back for this game would be huge. If Jackson or even Moreau can make a few plays and stop Jefferson from completely taking over the game the Giants should be able to keep it close. When Jefferson has been neutralized the Vikings have a much more difficult time moving the ball down the field. And while having Jackson back would not mean Jefferson would be shut down, just putting him out there could slow JJ down enough for NY's D-Line to get to the QB, which brings me right to my next key player.
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| (Photo via AP Photos/Bruce Kluckhohn) |
2. Dexter Lawrence
The Giant's defensive line has been one of the better units in the NFL this year at creating pressure on the QB, and that unit has been led by All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. While his 7.5 sacks don't fly off the stat sheet, anyone who has watched some or all of the Giant's games this year can tell you how disruptive he can be. 3 weeks ago he had a decent game against Minnesota with 5 tackles, a few QB hits, and a pass deflection, but considering the Vikings starting center Garrett Bradbury was out with an injury for that game, I felt he left more to be desired. Bradbury's status for Sunday's matchup is still up in the air and with him out Lawrence has a chance to really leave his mark on the game. If he can pressure the QB and force the ball out quickly, the Giants could really limit the Vikings offensively. As I mentioned earlier, Lawrence is a true force in the middle of that D-Line, and if he can stop the run, get sacks, or cause fumbles like he has all year that would be a gigantic boost for Big Blue.
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| (Gif via tenor.com) |
3. Daniel Jones
The first two players were on the defensive side of the ball because I believe if the Giants can hold the Vikings to under 30 points they can win the game. Howbeit, if they do score a lot of points in the game the Giant's offense will need to put up one of their better performances of the year. We all know that the Giant's WR room is mediocre at best so that leaves it on the shoulders of QB Daniel Jones. DJ had been great in his last two outings (one of which was against these Vikings) with a combined 511 yards and 5 TDs, with only 1 pick. That one pick though was caused by Vikings DB Patrick Peterson who made the most of an underthrown ball by Jones. This is part of my concern for Jones going into this one. DJ has been pretty great throwing the ball deep down the field, especially of late, but Minnesota has an experienced secondary that will look to make the most of any nerves that could lead to mistakes for the QB in his first playoff start. Daniel Jones also had a fumble in the game the last time these two teams met, and although the Giants were able to jump on it and keep possession, that cannot happen Sunday. DJ has really cut down on the turnovers this year and that is a huge reason for his improvement this season. DJ threw just 5 interceptions this season which is the fewest by a QB who started every game for their team. DJ also averaged 8.5 yards per carry against the Vikings and should look to run a lot against a defense that has failed to cover running QBs well this season. If he can get out of the pocket and make the easy throws or take off and run like he has all year, and did a lot last time in Minnesota, I think the Giants have a real shot of stealing this game.
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| (Photo via Elsa/Getty Images) |
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