Minnesota Vikings: 4 players who need to step up vs Giants

The Minnesota Vikings have been an entertaining team this year, to say the least. The men in purple have a league-best 10-0 record in one-score games this season, which is just absolutely divine madness. While there are questions about the overall legitimacy of this team, the record speaks for itself, and the 11-3 Vikes find themselves in control of the NFC’s #2 seed heading into week 16.

However, 10-4 San Fransisco is breathing right down their backs, and the Vikings must pick up a crucial win at US Bank stadium Saturday against the Giants if they are to keep their seeding for the foreseeable future. Here are four Vikings that need to step up Christmas Eve against the Giants

4 Minnesota Vikings players who need to come up big vs. Giants

1. Eric Kendricks – Linebacker

After multiple seasons of excellence at the position, Kendricks has taken a significant back this season, with only 77 solo tackles and one sack to date. Unfortunately, Kendricks is not getting any younger at age 30 but has shown flashes of his former self during some games this year.

Against the Giants, he will be crucial in slowing down pro-bowl running back Saquon Barkley, as the run game is the biggest weapon of the Brian Daboll-led offense this season, with the back compiling 1,170 rushing yards and 294 receiving yards to go along with 9 touchdowns. Kendricks will have to bring his A-game Saturday as the quarterback of the defense, making timely tackles and filling the appropriate gaps to stuff the run, and try to get the Giants to lean on their passing game, which ranks 28th in passing yards per game.