Vikings-Giants, Eli Manning should be worried about Monday
By Ryan Palmer
Cam Newton seemed disinterested while playing last Sunday. Aaron Rodgers was pummeled the week before. Eli Manning should be thinking about calling in sick to work Monday evening.
The Minnesota Vikings defense has been extraordinary starting out 2016. As they say in football, “sacks are sexy,” but this unit is so much more than just that.
Eli Manning will have his hand’s full on Monday Night Football.
The Giants running game suffered another loss this week after Shane Vereen was placed on injured reserve. He was subbing for Rashad Jennings, who missed last Sunday with a thumb issue. With the injuries piling up in the backfield, Manning has had no choice but to throw early and often.
To their credit, New York has done a decent job of spreading the ball around. Eli is averaging almost 300 passing yards per game, ranking fifth overall in passing offense. Those statistics are somewhat inflated by playing defenses like Dallas, Washington and New Orleans. Not exactly stiff competition.
The Vikings’ front-seven are receiving a lot of attention for their NFL leading fifteen sacks. Rightfully so, however their brethren in the backfield are shining as well. Manning will struggle against Harrison Smith and the rest of the Viking’ defensive backfield.
Similar to the Vikings, the Giants are also having O-line issues. With their woes up-front and no running game, the pressure is on Manning. The Giants have been using the short passing game in lieu of running. That will not be effective against Mike Zimmer.
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Viking’ corner’s can play physical-press coverage, Minnesota will record a take-a-way or two Monday night. The Vikings will improve on their five interception total for 2016, second best in the NFL. With the majority of the hype being tossed towards the D-line, this position group is also hitting its stride.
Xavier Rhodes returned last week to the starting lineup, but it was a group effort that led to a dominating day. It was a three-man rotation with Rhodes, Terence Newman and Trae Waynes all in the mix. Minnesota recorded three interceptions last week, perhaps we could equal that again.
There is no question that each part of Minnesota’s defense benefits from each other. Getting pressure on the QB can lead to an errant throw, or great coverage can lead to the QB holding onto the football too long. It’s a win-win, and so far the entire unit is making opposing QB’s tremble.
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U.S. Bank Stadium will be as loud as ever watching the Vikings increase their winning streak to 4-0. Eli Manning should enjoy that new turf feel, as he watches a pick-six from his backside.