AT FIRST GLANCE
The Giants, who entered Sunday night's game in Minnesota eliminated from postseason contention after Washington clinched the NFC East title by beating Philadelphia on Saturday, fell 49-17 to the Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Giants (6-9) finish their 2015 season by hosting the Eagles (6-9) in Week 17 at MetLife Stadium. Big Blue is looking to even the season series after losing 27-7 to Philadelphia in Week 6.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
With a kickoff temperature of 13 degrees and dropping, Eli Manning didn't complete a pass until 10:49 left in the second quarter on an eight-yard completion to Rueben Randle. Manning threw for 234 yards, 122 of which came on two big plays.
Rashad Jennings turned a short screen pass into a 50-yard gain, and Randle hauled in a 72-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Manning, who had just 11 interceptions entering the second-to-last week of the season, threw three on Sunday night against Minnesota. His second interception was returned 35 yards by Harrison Smith for a touchdown, and his third was brought down to the Giants' four-yard line to set up a short Adrian Peterson touchdown two plays later. Manning was also sacked a season-high four times after the Giants hadn't allowed any in the previous two games. Backup Ryan Nassib relieved him on the Giants' final drive of the game and completed all five of his passes for 68 yards and a touchdown to Myles White.
Meanwhile, the offense played without star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was serving a one-game suspension for "multiple violations of safety-related playing rules in [Sunday's] game against the Carolina Panthers." The suspension was imposed by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks, who ruled that Beckham's actions "placed his opponents at unnecessary risk of injury and should have been avoided." On Wednesday, appeals officer James Thrash, a former NFL wide receiver, denied Beckham's appeal.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
The unit didn't do any favors for its struggling offense. Peterson, who rushed for just 108 yards in his last three games against the Giants, carried the ball 22 times for 104 yards and a touchdown on Sunday night as the Giants allowed 220 yards on the ground. Second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater did what he does best and avoided mistakes, completing 15 of his 25 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. Defensive end Robert Ayers Jr. provided a bright spot for the Giants by recording at least one sack in his fourth-straight game. He had 1.5 to bring his team-leading total up to 8.0 on the year.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Entering Week 16 in fifth place in punts inside the 20-yard line, Brad Wing added two more against Minnesota to bring his season total up to 30. After Randle cut the deficit to 32-10 on his touchdown, the Giants attempted an onside kick. It was unsuccessful as Minnesota's Robert Blanton picked it up in stride and returned it 26 yards the other way to set up a Jerick McKinnon touchdown run.
INACTIVES
NYG: WR Geremy Davis, CB Jayron Hosley, S Cooper Taylor, LB Devon Kennard, OL Adam Gettis, OT Emmett Cleary, DE Stansly Maponga.
MIN: QB Taylor Heinicke, WR Charles Johnson, CB Josh Robinson, LB Brandon Watts, C Nick Easton, OL Jeremiah Sirles, DE Zach Moore.
LINEUP CHANGES
NYG: Mark Herzlich for Kennard at SLB; Jay Bromley for Kuhn at RDT; Hakeem Nicks for Odell Beckham Jr. at WR.
MIN: none.
GAME CAPTAINS
LG Justin Pugh, DT Cullen Jenkins, and S Craig Dahl along with season captain QB Eli Manning.
GIANTS INJURY REPORT
LB J.T. Thomas (ankle sprain, returned), S Craig Dahl (concussion), OT Marshall Newhouse (concussion).
