3 keys to a Giants win over the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Eve

The Vikings offense has amassed 43 passing plays of 20 yards or more this season. That is double the Giants’ league-low 21. Justin Jefferson, one of the NFL’s best receivers, and Dalvin Cook, one of the most dangerous running backs in space, will be difficult assignments for a Giants defense minus top corner Adoree Jackson and in flux at inside linebacker. Wink Martindale’s defense has to limit huge downfield gains to Jefferson over top and breakout screens to Cook.

This is the Giants’ No. 1 internal key every week, and so far Daniel Jones has done an excellent job protecting the ball. The Giants are tied with a league-low 13 giveaways with the Philadelphia Eagles through 14 games. Their five interceptions thrown are tied for a league-low with the Eagles, as well. Jones has only thrown four. Some conservative play-calling also has protected the Giants from themselves, but the bottom line is a clean game gives them a chance to win. The Vikings have forced 21 turnovers on defense, tied for eighth in the league.

The Giants hope Kayvon Thibodeaux’s breakout game against Washington gave them a glimpse of the potential of their pass rush down the stretch alongside Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and the recently explosive Azeez Ojulari. Minnesota’s offensive line is vulnerable, and Vikings QB Kirk Cousins can be flustered into mistakes. If the pass rush can disrupt Cousins, especially on the Vikings’ play-action shots downfield, the Giants will give themselves a chance to clinch a playoff berth on Christmas Eve.