New York’s chances of making the postseason are slim. They get a whole lot slimmer if Odell Beckham Jr. has his one-game suspension upheld. OBJ went nuts last week and was slapped by the league after some on-field altercations with an opponent. His actions and the league’s response likely cost the Giants a shot at the NFC East title and coach Tom Coughlin his job.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Minnesota Vikings -6.5
New York Giants +6.5
Over/Under 45.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
Minnesota has been one of the better plays all season posting an 11-3 ATS record. They also improved to 5-2 SU and ATS at home. The line was wagered to Minnesota -6 while the total dipped to 45. Watch for some movement on both pending the outcome of Beckham’s appeal hearing.
KEY INJURIES
Odell Beckham Jr. – Was suspended for one game for his violent on-field actions against Carolina last week. His is appealing the ruling with hopes of having the suspension reduced to a fine. If the suspension is upheld, the Giants will be without their biggest play-maker.
Linval Joseph – Minnesota’s starting defensive tackle continues to battle a foot injury that has sidelined him for the past few games. He is questionable to play Sunday night but he’s getting closer, according to coach Mike Zimmer.
Adrian Peterson – Was slowed by a sprained ankle last weekend but returned to the game for a few snaps after the injury occurred. He will likely play on Sunday, but could be slowed.
KEY MISMATCH
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looks like he’s ready to lead the Vikings into the postseason. His 335-yard performance against Arizona on Dec. 10 was going to matter only if he followed it with another example of his ability to be more than a passenger in the Viking’s offense. He provided it last week, with his talents on full display in a thumping of the Bears. On a day when Peterson was limited because of a sprained ankle, Bridgewater was impressive. During his past two games he threw for 566 yards and five touchdowns, completing 75 percent of his passes with no interceptions. He had a 154.4 rating last week, connecting with seven different receivers, displaying the Vikes’ quick pass offense with a few longer strikes added in.
KEY STAT
26.6 – New York’s points per game average to rank sixth in the NFL. The Giants will be tested against Minnesota’s eighth-ranked scoring defense.
BETTING ANGLE
The loss of Beckham for the Giants puts a damper on their chances of getting a win. New York’s offense is all about the connection of Eli Manning to his stud receiver, and the Giants don’t have anyone with OBJ’s skill set to off-set his absence. With two games to go the Giants are still alive for a playoff berth, but they need a ton of help. Coach Tom Coughlin has worked hard to keep the team’s spirits up after every last-minute loss this season, but last week’s defeat dropped them to 6-8 and they could be eliminated on Sunday. The Giants have been in every game but one, and are no easy out. But after last week’s loss, he sounded like a guy who knows time may have run out on his team.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
New York is a strong offensive club, especially through the air with Manning lofting strikes to Beckham every week. But that dynamic looks completely different without OBJ. Minnesota is hoping to have three defensive starters back in time for this matchup and if just one returns, the Vikings are much better on that side of the ball. Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith could be back in the lineup, turning Minnesota’s 13th-ranked total defense into a top 10 unit. The Vikings also had a confidence-boosting win over Chicago last week in which Bridgewater was unstoppable. The Giants have difficulties stopping anyone this season and the Vikings could go off behind their quarterback, even if the league’s leading rusher is hobbled by a bum ankle. The G-Men play hard, as evidenced by their oh-so-close losses, and won’t go down without a fight. But they will go down.
Minnesota 32, New York 24
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings will go down Sunday, December 27, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at TCF Bank Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
