New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Time: October 3rd 8:30 pm ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Line: Minnesota Vikings (-5)
The New York Giants (2-1) are coming off their first loss of the season and will look to get back on track as they travel U.S. Bank Stadium to challenge the undefeated Minnesota Vikings (3-0).
Giants Look to get back on track
For the Giants, last Sunday's loss to their division rival Washington Redskins was flat out ugly. While the box score shows a narrow 29-27 defeat, it was really much worse than that. The Giants committed 11 penalties for 128 yards and turned the ball over three times, including an Eli Manning interception that sealed the game with just over a minute left in the 4th quarter. Now in the primetime spotlight, the Giants will look to spoil the Vikings perfect season on Monday night football.
Injury report:
The Giants, one of the NFL's most injured teams the past few years, will head into their week four matchup for the most part healthy for This week the Giants have eight players listed on the injury report. (Updated Friday, 9/30/16)
DT Robert Thomas (illness): Thomas is still dealing with an unknown illness that has landed him on the injury report for the last few weeks now. Thomas, who is not expected to make a big impact will likely be out again.
S Darian Thompson (foot): Since injuring his foot in week one, rookie safety Darian Thompson has not seen any game action. He will likely be out again after not practicing this whole week.
CB Eli Apple (hamstring): 1st round pick Eli Apple injured his hamstring last week. He has not practiced this entire week but has still not been ruled out by the Giants staff.
S Nat Berhe (concussion): Berhe suffered a concussion midway through the third quarter of last week's loss. If Berhe is unable to go, it will leave the Giants dangerously thin at safety.
RB Rashad Jennings (thumb): Jennings has reportedly already been ruled out for the second straight week. Since suffering a sprained thumb in week two Jennings has yet to see any game action.
T Marshall Newhouse (calf): The Giants tackle is unlikely to play in week four. That leaves the spot open for Bobby Hart to take over.
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin): Rodgers-Cromartie has not practiced all week and his status is very much up in the air heading into Monday night. If DRC is unable to go it will be a huge loss to the Giants defense.
DE Olivier Vernon (wrist): Vernon has been a full participant in practice this week and will play on Monday night. Vernon has been dealing with a wrist injury the past few weeks but has continued to play through it.
Matchups to Watch:
Sam Bradford - Giants defense
The Giants spent a lot of money on their defense this year, and specifically their defensive line. When I say they spent a lot on the D-line in talking $141.5-on the D-line alone! They brought in major free agents Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and also re-signed Jason Pierre-Paul. The Giants will have to shutdown the potentially explosive Vikings offense led by Sam Bradford. Without all-pro running back Adrian Peterson in the mix, the Vikings will rely on Bradford's arm to get the job done. If Bradford can have a good game the Vikings should be able to win this one. If not, well have to wait and see.
Giants (projected) starting lineup:
Offense:
| Name: | Position: | College: |
| Eli Manning | Quarterback |
Ole Miss |
| Orleans Darkwa | Running back | Tulane |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | Wide receiver | LSU |
| Sterling Shepard | Wide receiver | Oklahoma |
| Victor Cruz | Wide receiver | Massachusetts |
| Larry Donnell | Tight end | Grambling |
| Ereck Flowers | left tackle | Miami (FL) |
| Justin Pugh | left guard | Syracuse |
| Weston Richburg | center | Colorado St |
| John Jerry | right guard | Ole Miss |
| Bobby Hart | right tackle | Florida State |
Defense:
| Name: | Position: | College: |
| Jason Pierre-Paul | defensive end | South Florida |
| Damon Harrison | defensive tackle | William Penn |
| Jonathan Hankins | defensive tackle | Ohio State |
| Olivier Vernon | defensive end | Miami (FL) |
| Devon Kennard | linebacker | USC |
| Kelvin Shepard | middle linebacker | LSU |
| Jonathan Casillas | weakside linebacker | Wisconsin |
| Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | corner back | Tennesse State |
| Janoris Jenkins | corner back | North Alabama |
| Landon Collins | strong safety | Alabama |
| Andrew Adams | free safety | Uconn |
Prediction:
This should be a good game as two NFC playoff contenders take on one another. The Giants have a much improved team but still a lot of injuries to overcome. With that being said, the Vikings have the home field advantage and will be fired up. The Vikings will take this one by a slim margin.