Playoff implications aren't on the line, but the Vikings' offense looks to continue its hot streak
The 6-8 Minnesota Vikings head to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to take on the 2-12 New York Giants in a battle of NFC non-playoff teams. The Giants have lost eight straight games, while the Vikings have put together back-to-back 30-point games on offense. The Vikings received unfortunate news as Christian Darrisaw was placed on injured reserve, which ends his season. Meanwhile, the Giants have dealt with their own season-ending injuries of promising young players, Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo.
Here are three things to watch for on Sunday afternoon:
Slowing down the Giants running game
Yes, the Giants have lost eight straight games, but their offense has actually been surprisingly good, even with three different starting quarterbacks. Despite their losing streak, the Giants' offense is 12th in the NFL with an offensive EPA of 0.04 and ranks sixth in rushing EPA at 0.03. Now, much of that is credited to Skattebo when he took over as the starter, but Jaxson Dart's rushing ability has carried the efficiency in his absence.
Jonathan Greenard has been lost for the season and the Vikings defense has struggled to stop the run in 2025. While the Vikings are top ten in defensive EPA and EPA/DB, Brian Flores' unit ranks 19th in EPA/rush (-0.01). Tyrone Tracy will be the focal point of the rushing attack, but the key will be containing Dart on designed runs and scrambles.
Aaron Jones & Jordan Mason are set up for success
Speaking of running games, the Vikings have an opportunity to get Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason going on the ground against the worst rushing defense with an EPA of 0.20. The cascading effect of an effective running game will be in the Vikings use of play action, which ranks 12th in the NFL with a PA rate of 25.7%.
Some more numbers to keep in mind for the Giants defense:
Defensive EPA: 0.14 (29th)
EPA/DB: 0.10 (22nd)
Success rate: 48.3% (29th)
Explosive %: 12.3% (30th)
The Vikings split safety defense
Flores utilizes single high safeties at the lowest rate in the NFL at 35.7%. The secret is disguising the looks in coverage, but the Vikings defensive coordinator prefers two safety looks, which the Vikings run at a league-high rate of 60.1%. The Giants have faced two high safety looks 39.1% of the time, which is good for 27th in the NFL. Their offensive EPA facing those looks is 28th in the NFL at -0.10.
Flores will blitz the young quarterback early and often and disguise his looks on the back end. Good luck, Mr. Dart.