MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — September 8, 2024

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — September 8, 2024 — Greetings, football fans. Welcome to our NFL coverage here at Godzilla Wins. After our earlier look at the Bears vs. Titans matchup, one of the many other games on today’s slate features the Minnesota Vikings (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) visiting the New York Giants (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Kickoff

When: Sunday, September 8, 2024 @ 1:00 PM ET

Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford,  NJ

TV: FOX

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – In-Season Stats & Betting Trends

The Vikings and Giants have a few similarities between them. First, both squads are coming off a 2023 campaign in which they produced single-digit win totals. Second, both teams suffered late-season fades down the stretch. Minnesota dropped four of its last five games. Meanwhile, New York posted three losses in its last five contests. On top of that, both teams missed the playoffs in 2023 after advancing to this postseason tournament in 2022.

Lastly, the quarterback narrative is also a point of emphasis for both teams. Sam Darnold will start for injured rookie J.J. McCarthy, while Daniel Jones returns to the fold following an ACL Injury. Considering that Minnesota and New York combined for just 13 victories a season ago, this contest certainly does not fall into the must-see television category.

Now that we have set the stage for this Week 1 showdown let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

The Spread

The Vikings enter this contest as a 1.5-point favorite (via OddsShark). Here is a glance at how both teams have recently fared against the spread.

• The Giants are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.
• New York has covered the spread five times in their last six home outings.
• In their last six matchups against NFC teams, the Giants are 5-1 against the spread.
• Meanwhile, the Vikings have NOT covered the spread in their last six outings (0-4-2).
• Minnesota is 0-6-2 in their last eight outings against NFC teams.
• In their last five September games, the Vikings are 0-4-1 ATS.

Despite the trends, the Vikings are talented enough to cover the small spread. Therefore, I’m going with the road team to win and cover.

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings (+1.5)

Over/Under

The current projected over/under total for this matchup is 41.5 points (via Bleacher Nation). Here is why going with the “over” is an intelligent choice.

• The total has gone OVER five times in the Giants’ last six games against NFC opponents.
• The OVER total boasts a 4-1 record in the Vikings’ last five outings.
• The OVER total has prevailed five times in Minnesota’s last six matchups against NFC teams.

Prediction: OVER 41.5 points

Player Prop Bet

The key player to watch for the home team is Daniel Jones. He currently has -110 odds of throwing for 211.5 yards and -110 odds of finishing with less than 211.5 yards (via Bet365). Let’s see how his numbers stack up against the estimated yards total.

• During the 2023 campaign, Jones averaged 151.5 passing yards per game in six starts.
• In two career games against the Vikings (in 2019 and 2022), Jones has accumulated 516 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
• Jones faced off against NFC teams four times last season. In those contests, he averaged 191.3 yards per outing.
• In two home games last season, Jones averaged 153.5 yards in those contests.
• Across his last five outings, Jones averaged 161 yards per game, exceeding the projected yards total for this matchup twice during that stretch.

Prediction: Daniel Jones UNDER 211.5 yards