Vikings vs. Giants: Game Time, TV Schedule, Point Spread, Preview
By Dan Zinski
Oct 10, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls a play against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
The 1-4 Minnesota Vikings visit the 0-6 New York Giants, Monday, October 21. Kick-off is at 7:40 PM CDT from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Point Spread: New York -3
Over/Under: 46.5
Saturday injury report:
Minnesota
| Kevin Williams | DT | Knee | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Xavier Rhodes | CB | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Adrian Peterson | RB | Hamstring | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| John Sullivan | C | Hand | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Jarius Wright | WR | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Rhett Ellison | TE | Knee | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Rodney Smith | WR | Hip | Did Not Participate In Practice | Questionable |
| A.J. Jefferson | CB | Ankle | Did Not Participate In Practice | Doubtful |
| Harrison Smith | S | Turf Toe | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Matt Kalil | T | Back | Did Not Participate In Practice | Questionable |
| Jared Allen | DE | Ankle | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Blair Walsh | K | left Hamstring | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Christian Ponder | QB | Rib | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
New York
| David Baas | C | Neck | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Brandon Jacobs | RB | Hamstring | Did Not Participate In Practice | Questionable |
| Cooper Taylor | S | Shoulder | Limited Participation in Practice | Questionable |
| Adrien Robinson | TE | Foot | Limited Participation in Practice | Questionable |
| Jayron Hosley | CB | Hamstring | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Corey Webster | CB | Groin | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Shaun Rogers | DT | Knee | Did Not Participate In Practice | Questionable |
| Terrell Thomas | CB | Knee | Limited Participation in Practice | Probable |
| David Wilson | RB | Neck | Out (Definitely Will Not Play) | Out |
| Jason Pierre-Paul | DE | Illness | Did Not Participate In Practice | Questionable |
Preview:
For the second straight week the Vikings face a struggling team looking to turn its fortunes around. The Vikings themselves are reeling after a humiliating blow-out defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. Realistically, neither team has much chance of climbing back into contention and are just hoping to salvage a little pride.
The Giants are simply trying to get into the win column after staggering out of the gate to an 0-6 start. Eli Manning, who has thrown more interceptions than any QB in the league so far this year, is hoping to get on track against a struggling, banged-up Vikings secondary. The Giants may be without key offensive weapon Brandon Jacobs, and have signed former Browns running back Peyton Hillis just in case.
The Vikings will go into the Meadowlands – or whatever that stadium is called these days – with their third different starting QB on the season. Josh Freeman has only been with the team for a couple of weeks, but already he is being thrown into the fire. Freeman has a bigger arm than either Christian Ponder or Matt Cassel, but accuracy has long been an issue for the former Buccaneer. Can the Vikings offense finally find a deep game to complement Adrian Peterson?
Peterson himself was limited in practice all week with a bad hamstring, but should be able to go Monday night. It’s been a tumultuous last few weeks for Peterson after the death of his son and a string of tabloid revelations about his personal life. AD will look to put all that aside and return to his usual All-World form after a down week vs. Carolina.
The Vikings’ defense must get itself right after a terrible performance against the Panthers. The Panthers didn’t even bother trying to exploit the Vikings downfield, but used an array of dink-and-dunk tactics to shred a defense that is woefully undermanned both in the secondary and the linebacker corps. The Vikes will have to get it together without their top defensive player Harrison Smith, who will miss at least 8 weeks with turf toe. The front-4 needs to rev it up and put pressure on Eli Manning to prevent another shred-fest.
Prediction: Giants 24, Vikings 13
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