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New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings NFL Picks & Point Spreads

The Minnesota Vikings could have sealed the deal on NFC North division crown and a playoff spot last week, but instead they allowed the Atlanta Falcons to seal their fate. The New York Giants, meanwhile, were able to beat the Carolina Panthers to lock up the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home field throughout, rendering this game as meaningless by all accounts. With New York’s biggest concern now to restore health before the playoffs, NFL odds makers have listed the Minnesota Vikings as 6.5-point favorites with the total set at 42.5 in this must-win game.

With New York clinching home field last week, it could turn out to be a great break for the Vikings and a terrible break for the Chicago Bears, who need a win and a Minnesota loss to steal the division title. Minnesota will try to bounce back at home this week after having its four-game winning streak snapped against the Falcons last Sunday. Minnesota is tied with Chicago atop the NFC North, but essentially has a game lead because it own the tiebreaker. A division championship would be a big step in the right direction for the Vikes as they have not won one since 2000 when it was still the NFC Central.

The 12-3 Giants controlled their own destiny last Sunday night and Jimmy Boyd and his NFL betting clients capitalized on the win with his Sunday Night Football Game of the Year. The big question this week is who will Tom Coughlin play and for how long. In last year’s regular season finale, Coughlin didn’t hold anything back, as he attempted to keep the New England Patriots from finishing the regular season undefeated, despite securing a playoff berth the week before. That move turned out to be crucial as it gave his team confidence went they faced the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Coughlin has said that they will try to win, as they do each and every time out, but also that they will take any advice given to them by their medical staff regarding who could benefit from rest. Cornerback Aaron Ross, who suffered a concussion against the Panthers, will likely miss the game. Top rusher Brandon Jacobs could sit out all of part of Sunday’s game with a nagging knee injury. Of significance, defensive end Justin Tuck and defensive tackle Fred Robbins could miss a portion of the game with lower leg and shoulder problems respectively. If you think that odds makers are giving the NFC’s top seed too many points, bet the Giants at +6.5 at Bookmaker and receive up to a 20% cash sign up bonus.

If Jacobs does not play, that would be just one less fish to fry for a Minnesota defense which is tops in the NFL against the run. However, that unit will be without Pro Bowler Pat Williams who has sustained a fractured shoulder injury. Without run stuffer extraordinaire Pat Williams last week, the Vikings defense still limited a strong Falcons ground attack to only 98 yards. The Falcons were tied with the Giants for the league-lead in rushing prior to that game. The Vikings held Pro Bowler Michael Turner to 70 yards on 19 carries.

Adrian Peterson is the only player in the NFL with more rushing yards than Turner this season. He has run for 1,657 yards and has a 166-yard lead on Turner for the rushing title. But Peterson has caught a case of fumbleitis of late, fumbling five times in the last three games, including two last week.

Despite stopping the run being the strength of Minnesota’s defense, the Giants may rely on the running game because the Vikings has made life miserable for Eli Manning in each of the past two meetings. Manning has thrown four interceptions in each of his two starts against Minnesota and lost both, including a 41-17 home defeat last season.

Minnesota’s QB Tarvaris Jackson, who was benched earlier this season, will make his third straight start. Jackson threw for a season high 233 yards and two touchdowns against Atlanta, and he has seven TDs and no interceptions in 2.5 games since taking over for Gus Frerotte. In his last meeting with the Giants, Jackson went 10 of 12 for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Vikings won easily despite playing without an injured Peterson. If you like Minnesota to win this game to advance to the playoffs and cover the number in the process, bet the Vikings at -6.5 at Bookmaker.

Let Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks lead you to a fifth straight winning Sunday NFL slate this week!

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