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4 bold predictions for the NY Giants vs. Vikings postseason showdown

By Zak Musso

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Dalvin Cook #4 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 24: Dalvin Cook #4 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass over Darnay Holmes #30 of the New York Giants and Julian Love #20 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass over Darnay Holmes #30 of the New York Giants and Julian Love #20 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

3. TJ Hockenson has another two-TD game against the Giants

The Vikings are one of the most overrated 13-4 teams in NFL history, but the strength of their team is their offense, specifically their weapons. The combination of Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Adam Thielen, and T.J. Hockenson is a top 5 pass-catching group in the NFL while Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison form a top-10 running back group.

Simply put, the Giants cannot silence all those weapons. During the Christmas Eve matchup, the Vikings surprisingly struggled to run the ball, but two of their pass-catchers had monster days. Jefferson had 12 catches for 133 yards and one touchdown, while Hockenson hauled in 13 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Wink Martindale loves to put his corners on islands and send the house to the quarterback, so don’t expect anything different this weekend. However, Xavier McKinney is back and Adoree’ Jackson will return to shadow Jefferson, and while it is impossible to silence him, he will significantly slow him down.

The Giants are most susceptible in the middle of the field, as they have a very weak inside linebacking core. The Giants inside linebackers Micah McFadden, Jaylon Smith, Jarrad Davis, and whoever is manning the slot corner position will have the task of covering Hockenson.

The tight end burned them last time and will be Cousins’ favorite target on Sunday, so it will, unfortunately, happen again. Hockenson will record another 100-yard, two-touchdown performance.

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