Giants-Vikings Week 16 preview
The New York Giants (8-5-1) and Minnesota Vikings (11-3) will face off this weekend in a matchup on Christmas Eve.
Both teams are coming off big wins. The Giants traveled to Washington and defeated the Commanders, 20-12, in a pivotal NFC East showdown. Meanwhile, the Vikings mounted a 33-point comeback against the Indianapolis Colts, the largest in NFL history, and won in overtime, 39-36.
The Giants currently hold the sixth seed in the NFC, while the Vikings, who clinched the NFC North title last week, hold the two seed.
Here are notes and stats from players for both teams ahead of Saturday's matchup.
Giants
*QB Daniel Jones totaled 195 yards (160 pass, 35 rush) in Week 15. Has 5 TDs (4 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT for 89.9 rating in 6 road starts in 2022. Has career highs in rush yards (583) & rush TDs (5), 5th-most rush yards among QBs this season.
*RB Saquon Barkley had 5 catches, 120 scrimmage yards (87 rush, 33 rec.) & 9th rush TD of season in Week 15. Has rush TD in 3 of his past 4 & aims for his 4th in row on road with rush TD. Ranks 4th in NFL with 1,170 rush yards & 4th among RBs with 1,464 scrimmage yards in 2022.
*WR Darius Slayton had 5 receptions last week. Has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 on road. Needs 69 rec. yards for 3rd-career season with 700+ rec. yards.
*WR Richie James has career highs in catches (42), rec. yards (403) & rec. TDs (3) this season.
*OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux led team with career-high 12 tackles & had career- best 3 TFL, 3rd-career sack, 2nd-career FF & 1st-career FR-TD in Week 15.
*DL Dexter Lawrence had 0.5 sacks & 4th-career FF in Week 15 & has career-high 6.5 sacks in 2022. Had sack & FF in last meeting.
*DL Leonard Williams has 6+ tackles in 2 of his past 3 on road.
*LB Jaylon Smith aims for his 8th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 7 tackles & sack in his last game at Min. (11/22/20 w/ Dal.).
*OLB Azeez Ojulari has 4.5 sacks in 5 games this season. Has FF in 3 of his past 4.
*S Julian Love leads NFC DBs with career-high 106 tackles. Aims for his 6th in row on road with 6+ tackles.
*S Jason Pinnock had career-high 2 PD & 2 FF of season last week.
Vikings
*Minnesota clinched NFC North for 1st time since 2017. Overcame 33-point deficit to win in Week 15, largest comeback victory in NFL history.
*QB Kirk Cousins passed for career-high 460 yards & 4 TDs last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 400+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes. Needs TD pass to become 5th player ever with 25+ TD passes in 8 straight seasons. Needs 182 pass yards for 7th-career 4,000-yard season.
*RB Dalvin Cook had season-high 190 scrimmage yards (95 rush, 95 rec.) & 2nd rec. TD of season in Week 15, his 7th-career game with 190+ scrimmage yards, tied- most in NFL since 2019. Has 1,000+ rush yards (1,045) & 1,300+ scrimmage yards (1,310) for 4th-straight season. Aims for his 4th in row with TD.
*WR Justin Jefferson tied his career high with 12 receptions for 123 yards & had 7th TD catch of season in Week 15. Leads NFL in receptions (111) & rec. yards (1,623) & is 3rd player ever with 1,600+ rec. yards in consecutive seasons. Has 307 career receptions, 2nd-most by player in 1st 3 seasons all-time (Michael Thomas - 321).
*WR Adam Thielen became 3rd undrafted player (Antonio Gates & Rod Smith) since 1967 with 5+ rec. TDs in 6 different seasons.
*WR K.J. Osborn had career highs in catches (10) & rec. yards (157) in Week 15.
*TE T.J. Hockenson is 1 of 2 TEs (Travis Kelce) with 60+ catches in each of past 3 seasons.
*LB Za'Darius Smith is 1 of 4 with 10+ sacks (10) & 15+ TFL (15) in 2022.
*LB Danielle Hunter had 1.5 sacks last week & has 8.5 sacks this season.
*LB Eric Kendricks has 119 tackles in 2022, his 7th-straight 100+ tackle season.
*S Harrison Smith leads all active players with 34 career INTs.
View rare photos from the all-time series between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings