--- When your defense and special teams combine to score a touchdown per game and provide your offense with the third-best average starting field position, you just don't need that many yards or points to win games. Carolina, New Orleans, Arizona, Washington, and Detroit are all in the top 10 for yards per game, how well is THAT working out for them? Meanwhile, the Packers only have 85 more yards than the Vikings (before the Monday night game), but I don't hear anyone claiming that the Packers offense is awful.
"Giants receivers will beat the Vikings defense!"
--- For the Giants WRs to impact the game, Eli has to get them the ball first. New York has played against some of the worst pass defenses in the NFL so far this year, and only barely beat two of them. They will fall apart against a defense that's #2 against the pass, #1 in sacks, and #1 in total takeaways.
"Giants' defense is good now!"
--- Really? 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and no interceptions, allowing a passer rating of 88.0 and 262 passing yards per game. That doesn't exactly scream "elite." Kirk Cousins was 21/35 for 296 yards, 2 TDs, and no INTs against the Giants last week. Giants have the third-worst takeaway differential in the league at -6.
In summary, the Vikings are a team with a +8 turnover differential playing at home against a team with a -6 turnover differential. I will be shocked if there is not at least one defensive TD for the Vikings this game, and believe they win the field position battle in a 19-10 victory.