The New York Giants may have finished 9-7-1 overall and third in the NFC East, but the G-Men also finished a league-best 13-4 against the spread. New York was 6-1 ATS on the road and 6-1 ATS as a road underdog.

The Vikings wrapped up the regular season 13-4 overall and won the NFC North division title. Minnesota was 7-9 against the spread, 4-5 ATS at home and 4-4 ATS as home favorites.

NFC Wild Card: New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings Game Info
Date	January 15, 2023, 4:30 PM ET
Stadium	U.S. Bank Stadium
TV Coverage	FOX
Opening Betting Odds	Vikings -3 / O/U 47.5

Line Movement

The Vikings opened and remain 3-point home favorites at the best online sportsbooks we track. The Giants moneyline odds are around +125 / +142. The over-under point total opened at 47.5, but the consensus has ticked up to 48 at most odds outlets. The OVER has cashed in six of the Vikings last seven games.

Last Meeting

The Vikings (-4.5, ATS loss) beat the Giants 27-24 on Christmas Eve earlier this season. The two teams combined for 18 fourth quarter points and New York took the lead with a little over two minutes to go in the game. However, Greg Joseph booted a 61-yard game winning field goal as time expired.

Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson combined for 242 yards and three touchdowns as the Giants secondary could not stop the dynamic duo.

Minnesota committed just two penalties with no turnovers in the win.

Daniel Jones passed for 334 yards, but only helped the offense reach the red zone twice in 60 minutes.

Giants News and Notes

After starting the season 6-2, the Giants are limping into the playoffs with just two wins in their last eight games.
- Those wins came against the Commanders and Colts, two non-playoff teams.
With so few options in the passing game, this matchup will focus on Saquon Barkley's ability to run through the Vikings loaded box.
- Minnesota has allowed 135.7 rush yards per game in their past three.
- Barkley averaged 6.0 yards per carry in the Week 16 loss to the Vikings.
The Giants were without defensive backs Xavier McKinney and Adoree Jackson in the first meeting, but both are probable for Sunday's Wild Card matchup.

Key Performance Indicators Head-to-Head

While their regular season records earned both the Vikings and Giants a postseason berth, it's really hard to ignore the fact that both head into the playoffs with a negavive point differential after 17 games. The Vikings were outscored by three and Giants by six points this season.

I'll be very interested to see if the Giants red zone defense steps up Sunday because Kirk Cousins passed for 300+ yards and three touchdowns the first go-around, but now face a healthier Giants secondary that ranks 5th in opponent red zone conversion rate.

The Giants offense converted just 3-of-11 third downs in their Week 16 loss.

Team

Off. 3rd Down Conversion Rate

Off. RZ Conversion Rate (TD)

Def. 3rd Down Conversion Rate

Def. RZ Conversion Rate (TD)

Reg. Season

Point Differential

Giants

36.8% (22nd)

63.3% (7th)

35.1% (5th)

49.2% (5th)

-6

Vikings

41.2% (12th)

62.5% (8th)

38.1% (12th)

57.1% (21st)

-3

Vikings News and Notes

Minnesota won an NFL-record 11 one-score games this season.
- Also Read: they are playing with fire every single week and earned some lucky breaks along the way.
Dalvin Cook left the Vikings Week 18 games against the Bears with a knee injury, but later returned.
- The Giants allow 5.2 yards per rush, second-most in the NFL.
Five of the Vikings 13 wins came by exactly three points, which just so happens to be the point spread. Minnesota -3 also translates to an even matchup were it to be played on a neutral field.
Between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve, Justin Jefferson averaged 132.6 receiving yards per game.
- In the final two games he caught five passes for 53 yards as he took it easy heading into the postseason.

Betting Pick: Vikings -3, OVER 47.5

If this matchup were to be played on Saturday, Sunday or Monday night, I would probably lean Giants moneyline. However, Kirk Cousins gets to play at home, his security blanket and the Vikings enter the game relatively healthy. Think oddsmakers did a great job handicapping this as I believe the rematch comes down the wire once more.