Minnesota Vikings vs New York Giants: 5 keys to victory

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Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (31) rushes for a touchdown away from Chicago Bears linebacker Shea McClellin (50) in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Seriously, run the football well

If you would have told me that the Minnesota Vikings would be three weeks into the 2016 NFL season without scoring a single rushing touchdown, I’d call you a liar. With how much the Vikings used to rely on running the football, it’s hard to imagine Minnesota as a passing team.

The Vikings rushing attack is nothing to fear right now. Despite having road-grading linemen in front of them, the Minnesota running backs are averaging a paltry 2.2 yards per carry this season and with how the Giants are shutting down running games, it could be a long day for the offense.

However, if the team can get going early and pick up some yards on the ground in the first quarter, it can open things up for the offense in a big way. Not only does that make the play action more unpredictable, but it would tighten up the defense.

Minnesota doesn’t need massive numbers in the run game, but they need to be able to balance their offense in a better way so that defense can’t key into individual parts of the plays. Hopefully, the Vikings can achieve that on Monday night.

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