New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings: 6 things to know about Week 16

The New York Giants (2-12) host the Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this Sunday afternoon.

Here are six things to know about the Week 16 matchup.

The series

This week’s game marks the 33rd all-time meeting between the teams since the Vikings entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1961.

They’ve faced off 28 times in the regular season and four times in the postseason. The Vikings lead the regular season series, 18-10. The Giants hold the postseason edge, 3-1.

The Giants and Vikings meet for the fourth consecutive season. Minnesota won the most recent meeting, 28-6, in Week 1 last year at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants’ most recent victory in the series came in the 2022 Wild Card playoffs, by a score of 31-24, at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The latest

The Giants dropped their eighth consecutive game and for the ninth time over their last 10, 29-21, to the Washington Commanders last Sunday at MetLife Stadium. They are 2-5 at home this season.

The Vikings won their second straight, taking out the Dallas Cowboys on the road Monday night, 34-26. They are 4-4 on the road this year. Minnesota opened the season at 4-4, then went on a four-game losing streak before bouncing back with two wins the past two weeks.

What’s at stake for the Giants

The Giants are the worst team in the NFL record-wise. Their season ended around Halloween. If the season ended today, they would be picking first in next April’s NFL draft. This game has little significance other than to keep them in the hunt for that top pick.

On the other hand, players and coaches are eager to put their best foot forward in the hopes of securing their jobs. There is also the initiative to get rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart more seasoning without risking his health.

What’s at stake for the Vikings

Minnesota is also eliminated from postseason contention. They are winding down a disappointing season after finishing 14-3 in 2024. The Vikings also have a young quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who they would like to let air things out.

Giants streaks to watch for

Dart ranks first among rookie quarterbacks with 13 touchdown passes and second with 1,802 passing yards. He also ranks fourth among all quarterbacks with 400 rushing yards this season. Dart is aiming for a fifth game in a row at home with a touchdown pass.

Rookie linebacker Abdul Carter is shooting for his third straight game with a sack after registering just one-half sack in his first 12 NFL games.

Safety Dane Belton aims for his third game in a row with seven or more tackles.

Vikings streaks of note

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has thrown two or more touchdown passes in each of his last two games.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison aims for his third straight game with 60 or more receiving yards.

Safety Harrison Smith had six tackles and two passes defensed in Week 15. He is aiming for his fourth straight game with a pass defensed. He made seven tackles and an interception in the last meeting against the Giants.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings: 6 things to know about Week 16

New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings: 6 things to know about Week 16

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