The Minnesota Vikings accomplished the first goal of their season-long checklist last weekend, winning the NFC North division with a dramatic 39-36 comeback victory in overtime against the Colts.
Now, the Vikings turn their attention to the next item, as Minnesota tries to catch Philadelphia for the coveted No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs. Currently the No. 2 seed, the Vikings also want to stay ahead of a charging 49ers squad that has improved to 10-4 by winning seven consecutive games. San Francisco hosts Washington (7-6-1).
Minnesota (11-3) will host the New York Giants (8-5-1) at noon (CT) Saturday on FOX in their final regular-season home game.
The Vikings and the Giants have met 29 times, with Minnesota holding a 17-12 advantage in the series. Minnesota has won seven of the past nine matchups, including the past three meetings (49-17 in 2015, 24-10 in 2016 and 28-10 in 2019).
Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:
Vikings 27, Giants 24 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
Two of the most resourceful teams in football with a penchant for close finishes should result in a good game, but the Vikings offense is still the most reliable group here. Minnesota's tackle combo of Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill should neutralize the Giants peaking edge-rush duo of Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux, allowing the talent on the Vikings offense to shine through. Then again, Kirk Cousins is graded 36th out of 39 qualifiers against the blitz this year, according to PFF. Call this a high-variance game where almost anything feels possible.
Vikings 27, Giants 26 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
The Vikings have clinched their division, while the Giants are playing for a Wild Card spot. The Giants are playing consecutive road games, while the Vikings got an extra day of rest. The Minnesota defense is a major issue, though, which is why the Giants will hang around in this one. It's close, but the Vikings take it.
Giants 28, Vikings 27 — Staff, Bleacher Report
Coming off the biggest comeback in NFL history, the Minnesota Vikings will try to maintain their momentum in a tough matchup with the New York Giants, who hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
If the Vikings start off flat as they did last week, don't expect another miracle in Minneapolis. Half of our panelists have a skeptical eye on Minnesota because the club fell behind by 33 points against a bottom-tier Indianapolis Colts squad.
Vikings 24, Giants 17 — Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
The Vikings, well recovered from their furious epic and record comeback over the Colts, will make things a little simpler by running red-hot Dalvin Cook often vs. New York, setting up favorable downfield passing shots to Justin Jefferson and others. Minnesota will work to contain Saquon Barkley as it gets a break with the Giants not having enough dangerous receiving weapons.
Vikings 28, Giants 24 — Bill Bender, Sporting News
The Giants are still in the NFC Wild Card mix, and they need a win on the road here to keep pace in that race. New York is 3-2 on the road this season. Minnesota, however, is 7-1 at home. Kirk Cousins has 15 TDs and just four interceptions in those games. The Vikings keep winning close ones.
Vikings 17, Giants 14 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk
This could be a playoff preview, as it's possible that these teams could meet again in the Wild Card round. I think the Vikings win and keep their slim hopes of a first-round bye alive.
Note: Philadelphia can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win against Dallas at 3:25 p.m. (CT) Saturday.
Vikings 27, Giants 24 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
The last time the Vikings had an exhausting, emotional win, they fell apart the next week. Assuming they learned from that and they don't want to have to go to San Francisco in the playoffs, it's time to turn the [Winter Whiteout] into a win.
Pre-game win probabilities: Vikings 71% — FiveThirtyEight.com
4 of 4 experts (5 didn't pick) pick the Vikings, ESPN
4 of 5 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
3 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, Bleacher Report
8 of 9 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic
