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Can the Giants Upset the Vikings in the NFL Playoffs?

By Ronnie Eastham

NFL picks; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
NFL picks; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings come into the NFL Playoffs at 13 – 4 and may well be the most disrespected 13-win team you’ll ever see.  They have won 11 of those games by eight points or less and on the flip side, their four losses were by an average margin of over 22 points.  Their only two wins by more than eight were against the Packers back in Week One and in the final week of the regular season, a bad Chicago Bears team.

These two teams faced one another just a few weeks ago, with the Vikings coming away with the W, 27 – 24.  Can they do it again and will it be another one-score game?

While I find it easy to root for first-year head coach Brian Daboll, I’m just not sure the Giants are ready for the NFL playoffs just yet.  This will be Daniel Jones’ first career playoff start and yes, I know all the jokes about Primetime Kirk, but the Vikings are vastly better, at least on paper, and should run away with this one.

It’s difficult to make sense of the Vikings given their roster makeup.  They have one of the most loaded rosters, particularly on the offensive side, so why so many one-score games?  Look no further than the defense.  The Vikings’ defense is ranked 31st overall and giving up over 25 points per game.  The run defense is only 20th in the NFL, while only 31st in pass defense.

Fortunately for the Vikings, the Giants’ strength is not their passing attack but still, the Giants should be able to take advantage of a Minnesota defense by running Saquan Barkley a lot, and keep running him a lot, all game long!

I wrote a previous prediction article for the Chargers/Jaguars game, in which I said Travis Etienne will have a big day, well I am calling the same for Barkley, to the tune of 150+ on the ground, another 50+ through the air and he’ll tally three touchdowns.

The Giants’ defense isn’t very good either and the Vikings should be able to put up some points, but I think the Giants control the clock and keep Minnesota’s offense off the field as much as possible. There is almost always an upset in the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs, and this is my Super Wildcard Weekend upset pick.

Giants come away with the W, 28 – 24.

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