Vikings vs. Giants Week 5 Prediction
While Kirk Cousins has struggled for the 2-2 Vikings, Daniel Jones has thrived in back-to-back wins for the Giants. Listed as a 5.5-point home underdogs in Week 5, are the Giants a solid play for bettors or will the Vikings rebound from their latest loss?
Game Snapshot
459 Minnesota Vikings (-5.5) at 460 New York Giants (+5.5); O/U 43.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 6, 2019
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Public Betting Trends
According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Vikings are receiving 51% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.
Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Spin
NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports that, “As of now all signs point to Stefon Diggs being active Sunday against the Giants.” Coach Mike Zimmer said Friday, “I don’t know, we’ll see” when asked if Diggs will play Sunday. The Vikings have already fined Diggs for missing early-week practices and meetings, so further punishment isn’t expected. Continuing to feed Diggs 4.8 targets per game in the Vikings’ run-first offense will probably piss off the stud WR more than simply sitting on the bench anyway. The Vikings’ passing game is set up brilliantly against the Giants’ mediocre secondary, but we wouldn’t count on the team straying from their desire to establish the run at all costs.
New York Giants Fantasy Spin
Saquon Barkley (ankle) is out for Week 5 against the Vikings. Barkley has made excellent progress in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain and figures to shatter his original 4-8 week timeline, though a Week 5 return was never a realistic possibility. With Barkley slated for another absence, workhorse duties will again fall with Wayne Gallman, who impressed with two touchdowns in last week’s home win over Washington. He faces a much tougher assignment this week, though Gallman’s projected role should still afford him RB2 status in most formats.
NFL Betting Trends
Minnesota
The Vikings are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six road games.
New York
The Giants have not been a good play at home, posting a 2-7-1 record against the number in their last 10 games at MetLife Stadium.
Prediction
Cousins was putrid a week ago in Chicago but he often fares well against bad opponents, so this is a perfect rebound spot for him and the Minnesota offense. The Giants rank 31st overall in pass yards allowed per attempt at 8.8 and won’t drum up nearly as much of a rush as the Bears did last Sunday against the Vikings. With both Diggs and Adam Thielen voicing their displeasure with the run-heavy approach on offense, I fully expect the squeaky wheel to get the grease this afternoon. Meanwhile, Jones has sparked the Giants but Mike Zimmer excels at scheming complex pressure. Jones lost two fumbles to the Bucs in his first start and threw two interceptions against a bad Washington defense last week. Thus, there’s some smoke and mirrors going on here with Jones. I expect the Vikings defense to make Jones look like a rookie this week.
NFL Week 5 Prediction: Minnesota Vikings -5.5