Home » Picks » Monday Night Football Week 4: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Free Preview and Pick

Monday Night Football Week 4: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Free Preview and Pick

The G-Men head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings at the new U.S. Bank Stadium. As the weather gets cooler, Vikings’ fans seem to get louder. The game will be held on Monday, October 3^rd and will be broadcasted on ESPN.

The current odds at BetOnline.ag have the New York at +4 (-104) and Minnesota at -4 (-116). The total is currently at 42.5 points with -110 vigorish on both sides, one of the lowest totals of Week 4.

Betting action has been in favor of Minnesota. About 60 percent of wagers are coming in on Vikings since the odds opened. They opened up as -3.5 favorites initially. At most sportsbooks, they are -4 or -4.5.

The total has seen 50/50 betting action on the over and under. However, after opening at 44 points, it has dropped to 43 or 42.5 at most sportsbooks.

The Giants – Coming Off A Divisional Loss

New York comes into the game with a 2-1 record after notching victories against the Cowboys and Saints. The Giants took their first loss of the season at Washington last week, losing 29-27. They led for much of the contest, but the Redskins drove down the field late and kicked a game-winning field goal. Eli Manning was picked off on the final drive to seal the victory for Washington.

Running back Rashad Jennings injured his thumb in Week 2 is not expected to suit up against the Vikings. Orleans Darkwa will fill in on early downs with Bobby Rainey mixing in on passing downs. Last week, Shane Vereen went down and will be out at least eight weeks with a triceps injury.

However, New York’s secondary is the area of the field where injuries may have the largest impact. Cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie is questionable for tonight’s game with a groin injury. He will be a game-time decision. They will also be without fellow CB Eli Apple who is doubtful with a hamstring injury and safeties Darian Thompson and Nat Berhe.

The Vikings – Still Undefeated

Minnesota is one of the few undefeated teams left in the league. After taking care of Tennessee Week 1, they defeated divisional rival, Green Bay in Week 2. Last week, they handled the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers.

The Vikings defense stifled Cam Newton in the victory, which snapped the Panthers home win streak. Sam Bradford and the offense didn’t have to do much in the victory in which Carolina only mustered ten points in the 22-10 defeat.

Minnesota had a few guys banged up during the week, but they have all made it back to practice and are expected to suit up in tonight’s game.

NFL Betting Prediction

The Giants have so many big names and weapons that it’s tough to convince yourself to bet against them, but Minnesota’s defense has been that good. Their secondary has truly stepped up this season, and their front seven is arguably playing better than any other unit in the league.

-4 is an excellent price for a team that has dominated so far defensively and looked impressive (by Vikings’ standards) on offense. Sam Bradford has looked extremely comfortable in this offense and has some underrated skill players in Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph.

Minnesota is my favorite play in this game at -4, but the under deserves a look as well. The Giants run at a faster pace, but I don’t see them having a lot of success at U.S. Bank Stadium’s crowd environment and against this defense.

Pick: Vikings -4