Two NFC squads that fell short of expectations a season ago will meet when the New York Giants host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will return to action after an injury-hit campaign that saw him miss time with a neck injury before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 9.
His opposite number will be Sam Darnold, who returns to MetLife Stadium, a venue that haunted him at times during his trying tenure with the New York Jets.
Let’s dig into the latest odds for this Week 1 matchup and make our best Vikings vs Giants predictions.
Vikings vs Giants Odds
NFL odds are current as of Thursday, Sept. 5, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Vikings (-122) vs Giants (+102)
- Spread: Vikings -1.5 (-110) vs Giants +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 41.5 (-108) / Under 41.5 (-112)
Vikings vs Giants Prediction
Vikings 20, Giants 13
Both teams arguably lost the most important player to their offenses this summer.
The Giants let Saquon Barkley, who accounted for over 1200 total yards and 10 touchdowns last season, leave for the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, the Vikings watched quarterback Kirk Cousins choose Atlanta in free agency.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy is expected to be Minnesota’s long-term replacement for Cousins. However, the National Championship winner is set to miss his entire rookie season after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
That leaves Darnold, who has attempted just 186 passes over the last two seasons in Carolina and San Francisco, in control of an offense that features former Packers RB Aaron Jones and elite wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
While I’m not expecting the former No. 3 overall pick to replace Cousins’ production, he has the better offensive line and supporting cast in this matchup.
Look for the Vikings, who lost at home to the Giants in the 2023 Wild Card Round, to get their long-awaited revenge.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Vikings vs Giants Best Bets
Under 41.5 Points (-112)
This total is too high.
New York’s defense should be its focal point this season after bringing in Brian Burns this offseason to complement Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence. Deonte Banks is a promising young corner, and linebacker Bobby Okereke is a tackling machine.
While I believe in the Giants’ defense, I have concerns about their ability to put up points. Jones is coming off a major injury and doesn’t have much support beyond first-round rookie wideout Malik Nabers.
Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy defense worked wonders last season in Minnesota, and it should cause problems for New York’s porous o-line.
The Under went 11-6 in Giants games and 10-7 in Vikings games last season, so I’m backing another here as one of my best NFL bets today.
Vikings -1.5 (-110)
I feel more confident in the Under than the side, but I’m backing Minnesota to cover this short spread on the road.
Darnold doesn’t have to be great to win this game, as the Vikings have better skill players and more continuity within the coaching staff. Both of these factors should be difference-makers in this Week 1 contest.
