We head back to the NFC in the second match of the three in the NFL 2022 Playoffs on Sunday evening as the number three seeds Minnesota Vikings look to set up a trip to San Francisco next week when they host the New York Giants.
The Vikings have had a great season and had the NFC North sewn up weeks ago so they have been able to manage themselves to aim to peak for this match. The Giants knew their fate with a week to spare as well so they should be fresh for a tilt at this one.
Minnesota Vikings
There have been doubters over the Minnesota Vikings for the majority of the season but they came out of the regular campaign with a 13-4 record. Everyone knows it could have been a lot different because they won so many matches by one score but that might only serve them well in this one because they know they can handle themselves strongly should matches get tight and the pressure comes on. That can be invaluable at this time in a season.
Quite how the Vikings had to win so many close matches only they will know because they have one of the best and most balanced offenses in the game with Justin Jefferson the best receiver in the league and Dalvin Cook anything but useless. They seem to be addicted to the adrenalin of getting involved in shootouts. One reason for that is their defence can be got at but if they can play to potential the Vikings should be hard to beat here.
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New York Giants
When you consider that the New York Giants were in the best division in football this season it is a great achievement for them to make it into the postseason at all let alone as the six seeds. They won nine matches and tied another in the regular season and are fully deserving of their shot here, although naturally some people are questioning whether they will have what it takes to deliver on this stage. Those concerns come as much from the fact that they haven’t been here for a while as anything else.
We know the Giants are a safe and steady offense but any team that has an elite running back and a better than average defence when we get into January has to be respected. In Saquon Barkley they certainly have the running back. They also have a mobile quarterback in Daniel Jones which are the type the Vikings have struggled with all season. The problem I have with the Giants is if they fall behind. This isn’t a team built to play from behind.
Betting
I’m looking forward to this one immensely but I’m not sure I want to back either side to win. If I was forced to then I would go with the Minnesota Vikings as five years on from the Miracle of Minneapolis we know they can play from behind. We saw it over Christmas against Indianapolis in that epic comeback. The New York Giants are not fitted up to play from behind and they haven’t been at this stage of the season for a while either.
I’m a little worried this one turns into a shootout though like all Minnesota matches seem to do, especially after their Week 16 meeting which finished 27-24 to the Vikings with a last-gasp field goal from miles out winning it for them. In that game, T.J. Hockenson caught 13 of the 16 passes which came his way for a whopping 109 yards and I think he could go well again here. New York have had an issue with tight ends for most of the year and give up the second most DVOA to the position in the league. Hockenson has a receiving line for this match of just 48.5 yards for this encounter. He has covered this line in three of the last four full matches he has played and with the Giants blitzing a huge number of times that simple pass for Cousins will be a big option for him. I expect the tight end to cover this line and some.
Tips
Back T.J.Hockenson – Over 48.5 receiving yards for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Bet365
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