There is no theme attached to today’s Giants-Vikings game. No need for the Giants to make a statement or rebound from a tough loss or knock off some powerhouse opponent or make sure they don’t overlook some weakling. It’s simply a game to further the Giants’ burgeoning playoff aspirations.
The Vikings pose no great secrets and can be summed up in quite tidy fashion.
Running the ball and stopping the run: Great.
Throwing the ball and stopping the pass: Lousy. If the Giants can deal with the former and exploit the latter, they should be in fine shape.
A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Vikings C Matt Birk vs. Giants DT Barry Cofield. This figures to be more than a clash of brawn, as Birk (Harvard) and Cofield (Northwestern) combine for plenty of brainpower. Birk is a five-time Pro Bowler and one of the best in the business, a real force that triggers Minnesota’s excellent running game. If Cofield can’t stand his ground, the entire run defense suffers.
DROUGHNS ON
Fifty previous times in the NFL, Reuben Droughns has run through the tunnel as a starting running back. But today is expected to be his first start for the Giants, subbing for the injured Brandon Jacobs and hobbled Derrick Ward. Little that Droughns has done with his fourth team inspires great confidence. He’s rushed 52 times for 176 yards, a pedestrian 3.4 yards per carry. Last week, he ran 11 times and gained 13 yards with the Lions stuffing the box to stop him.
“These guys teased me about that,” Droughns said.
Of course, this is all quite misleading. Droughns fills the role of a short-yardage and goal-line back, which means his body and statistics take a beating. His job today is quite different.
THE MISSING LINK
This is the first full game for the Giants without linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, who was lost for the season with a broken leg on the second play last week in Detroit. It’s the sort of injury that sparks a load of personnel adjustments, as Kiwanuka not only lined up at strong side linebacker but also as a pass-rushing defensive tackle in the dime package and as a pass-rushing defensive end in other sub-packages.
Purely from a linebacker standpoint, the Giants believe Reggie Torbor – a fourth-year player and career backup – can step in adequately and in some ways more effectively, as it’s his natural position, as opposed to Kiwanuka, a converted end. In pass-rush situations, starting defensive tackle Fred Robbins will receive Kiwanuka’s snaps and despite his girth and bulk, Robbins has shown an ability to penetrate.
“He was guy that was our defensive MVP a year ago,” Tom Coughlin said. “He certainly made a big play last weekend. He blocked a field goal last weekend for us as well, so he is a multi-faceted guy.”
MIDDLE MAN
Last week was not the type of game that entices Antonio Pierce, as the Lions threw and threw and rarely challenged the Giants on the ground. “I had to back up about seven yards, play the middle of the field, like a free safety,” Pierce said. “This week it’s not going to be like that. All the action is going to take place within the first five yards.”
This is a game a middle linebacker can sink his teeth into. The Vikings not only want to run the ball, with shaky quarterback Tavaris Jackson at the helm, they need to run it. Rookie sensation Adrian Peterson (knee) was upgraded to questionable (50-50 to play). In his place, Chester Taylor last week against the Raiders rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns.
“This game is really on the middle linebacker and the D-line,” Pierce said. “You watch film and you see a team that flat out just runs the ball, if they’re up by five or 10 or if they’re down by 10 or more. If your middle linebacker is not playing up to par, if your D-line is not playing up to par you’re not going to win. You look at the games they won, the [opposing] middle linebacker did not have a good game.”
The Vikings, mostly sparked by Peterson, are the league’s top-ranked rushing team, averaging 177.9 yards per game. The Giants are seventh in the league against the run, allowing 91.3 yards per game. Something has to give.
PAUL’S PREDICTION
GIANTS – 23
VIKINGS – 17
Giants aren’t clicking on offense and now their backfield is depleted. Can Eli Manning take charge against a shoddy pass defense?