Week 5 Picks: Vikings vs. Giants
Minnesota Vikings (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) vs. New York Giants (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS)
NFL Week 5
Date/Time: Sunday October 6th, 2019. 1:00PM (EST)
Where: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
TV: FOX
Point Spread:MIN -4.5/NYG +4.5 (BetNow)
Over/Under Total: 45
The Daniel Jones hype train continues this week when the New York Giants host the Minnesota Vikings inside MetLife Stadium. After an 0-2 start, the Giants have rallied with two straight wins since quarterback Daniel Jones took over the starting role from Eli Manning. Thus far, Jones has done everything right. The rookie quarterback has completed 69% passing while combining for five total touchdowns over the last two weeks to breathe life back into this Giants program who are currently 2nd in the NFC East. With restored hope, the Giants hope to continue their winning ways when the Vikings come into town on Sunday. However, the Vikings present the best defense that Jones has faced to date and perhaps will be looking for some revenge after an embarrassing loss to the Bears last week.
Vikings seeking 1st road victory of the season
So far this season, the Vikings home and road splits have been vastly different. At home, the Vikings are averaging 31 points per game backed by an outstanding rushing attack that has racked up more than 170 yards on the ground in both home appearances. On the road, things have been entirely different. The Vikings have averaged just 11 points per game and have turned the ball over six times through 2 road trips. Last week, the Vikings had extreme trouble moving the football against the Chicago Bears highly-touted defense. The Vikings only produced 222 total yards and the typically dynamic rushing attack was held to just 40 yards on the ground. It was a rather eye-opening performance for an offense that is becoming extremely one-dimensional.
By now, it is not any type of secret that the Vikings offense revolves around the running attack. Running back Dalvin Cook is having a breakout year with more than 400 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Even rookie Alexander Mattison has averaged 5 yards per touch in a limited backup role when Cook has been off the field. This style of offense presents pros and cons. When the Vikings are able to run the football, they are extremely tough to beat, which has been evident in their home games where they have been able to establish the run. However, when the Vikings have failed to run the football, they have struggled immensely which has coincided with quarterback Kirk Cousins’ consistency issues throwing the football.
Vikings vs. Giants match-ups
The reason I believe the Vikings are poised to succeed this Sunday is that the match-ups favor the visitors. Before beating up on the pass-happy Redskins offense last week, the Giants defense had been ripped apart on the ground to the tune of 128 yards per game through the opening three weeks against rather mediocre rushing offenses. The Vikings offensive line has a relatively significant advantage over the Giants defensive front this week, and I am expecting the Vikings to gash the middle with a heavy dose of Dalvin Cook which will control the pace of the game. If Kirk Cousins could build off of Stefon Diggs huge game last week and get Adam Thielen involved in the passing game, the Vikings should be able to move the football consistently.
On the other side of the ball, I know Giants fans have restored hope in their backup quarterback, but they have also played two of the worst defenses in the NFC in recent weeks. This Sunday’s challenge will be against one of the better defensive groups in the conference that does a great job of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and creating different defensive looks which could cause issues with the rookie quarterback at the helm. Daniel Jones gave up two picks to the Redskins secondary last week, and if the Vikings get pressure as I expect, turnovers could easily become an issue again. Furthermore, the Giants no longer have running back Saquon Barkley to rely on in the ground game. Backup running back Wayne Gallman did a great job last week in the passing department but faces an uphill challenge against this Vikings defense this week which will likely stymie the offensive output.
Jay’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Vikings -4.5. Bet on the Vikings for FREE taking advantage of a massive 100% bonus up to $1000 in free wagers at MyBookie Sportsbook!
