Minnesota offense vs. New York defense

	VIKINGS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	19
	Pass	3
	Tot. Yds.	3
	Scoring	6
	Int's allowed	17
	Sacks allowed	37
	GIANTS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	7
	vs. Pass	13
	Total yds. allowed	8
	# of Ints.	15
	# of Sacks	31
	Turnover differential	-8

Despite playing without underneath possession receiver Cris Carter, the Vikings' passing game didn't miss a beat against the Packers. QB Jeff George strengthened his case as one of the team's legitimate leaders by throwing two huge touchdown passes in a must-win game. George withstood Green Bay's constant blitzing and completed critical third-down throws to sustain scoring drives. His recognition of coverages and ability to thread the ball into tight spots will demoralize the Giants on Sunday.

New York's banged up secondary will get a boost from increased play by Conrad Hamilton, who played in a dime role last week against the Rams, and the likely return of starting DC Phillipi Sparks. Journeymen Emmanuel McDaniel and Jeremy Lincoln played admirably in last Sunday's loss but St. Louis' ability to chew up yards after the catch ultimately killed them.

Unlike shifty Rams' WR's Issac Bruce and Az Hakim, the Vikings' receivers are more straightline-type players that will simply run past them. Randy Moss came up huge against the Packers, repeatedly beating single coverage en route to a 131-yard, two-touchdown performance. Defensive coordinator John Fox will learn from the Packers' mistake and choose to double-team Moss, forcing a hobbled Carter and healthy Jake Reed to beat them.

The Giants have overcome injuries in the secondary all year to hold opponents to a respectable 209.2 yards per game through the air. The reason for the team's surprising success has been the play of the front four. When this group plays up to its potential and puts heat on the quarterback, the Giants generally fare well. RDE Cedric Jones will give LOT Todd Stuessie trouble with his speed off the edge, especially if the Vikings' All-Pro struggles early.

The Rams took it to the Giants on the ground last week despite losing their best linemen (Orlando Pace) to an ejection. Minnesota must mirror St. Louis' game plan and beat the Giants physically at the line of scrimmage and on the second-level against the linebackers.

Pro Bowl OLB Jesse Armstead fought through his worst outing of the season, registering just two tackles against scatback Marshall Faulk. Vikings' RB Robert Smith will pose similar problems with his ability to bounce the run wide or take advantage of cutback lanes.

One area where the Vikes must improve this week is in short-yardage situations. Green Bay stuffed power back Leroy Hoard on numerous occasions last week, forcing Ray Sherman to call unconventional pass plays on third down.

The Giants are limiting opposing runners to just 3.1 yards per carry on the season and they must shut down Smith and Hoard on Sunday to prevent the Vikings from establishing offensive balance. If George has the benefit of play-action, New York's defense will be in for a long afternoon.

If New York's defense does their part, QB Kerry Collins must play a mistake-free game and eliminate costly turnovers. Collins put up some solid numbers in the passing game against a capable Rams' secondary but eventually reverted back to his propensity for errant throws. In his defense, Collins didn't have the benefit of a running game, but that might be the case again this week.

The Vikings' secondary held up surprisingly well last Monday against the Packers, holding Brett Favre in check for most of the night. The key to their success was the pressure created up front by DE Chris Doleman and a variety of blitzes that mostly featured OLB Dwayne Rudd. New York's interior offensive line held up well versus St. Louis but the Rams were able to generate pressure off the edges.

Minnesota defensive coordinator Foge Fazio will implement another aggressive game plan this week in order to rush Collins' reads. Look for the Vikings to roll coverage WR Amani Toomer's way and for the corners to funnel him inside where help will be waiting. Toomer continued his torrid season last week, amassing his fourth 100-yard game of the season.

Jim Fassel's offense continues to struggle in a one-dimensional mode. Their lack of a running game is putting too much added pressure on Collins to make plays. RB Joe Montgomery carried 12 times for 41 yards but his inability to provide a spark early forced the team to abandon the run once they fell behind. If the Vikings come out with an honest 4-3 defense, Montgomery should find some holes against a sagging run defense.

Minnesota's front seven didn't play the run well in the first half last week, allowing Dorsey Levens to pile up 76 of his 99 yards before halftime. It wasn't until SS Robert Griffith crept toward the line of scrimmage that the Vikings had success against the run.

Similar to the Vikings, Fassel's team has had trouble in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The offensive line must play with more of an attitude this Sunday if the Giants are to stay alive in the playoff hunt.