Vikings vs Giants

Only a Week 2 loss to Philadelphia separates the Vikings (5-1) from a undefeated start. That's not so bad, considering the Eagles have dusted off all six of their opponents. But fast starts don't always equal successful seasons in Minnesota. Last year, they were 6-0 and looking invincible when the Giants traveled to the Metrodome and kick-started the Vikings' 3-7 finish with by beating them, 29-17.
QB Daunte Culpepper looks even better this year, however. Though he slowed last week by throwing only one touchdown, he has tossed a league-high 19. At his current pace, he will finish with 50. Of Culpepper's 1,949 yards, 394 have been thrown to WR Randy Moss, who played only two snaps on Sunday. And rookie RB Mewelde Moore has posted three straight impressive games (92, 109, and 138 yards rushing).
GAME PLAN
Oh, those red-zone blues. This season, the Giants have made 21 trips inside their opponents' 20-yard line and have come away with seven touchdowns and six field goals. Eight times they have failed to score. Their defense had played well enough to mask those deficiencies until Sunday's 28-13 loss to Detroit in which three red zone trips produced only six points. Against the Vikings, there probably won't be any inside handoffs to RB Ron Dayne. Expect a return to the short fade pass to TE Jeremy Shockey that worked so well in the previous two games.
STORY LINES
Culpepper and Giants' RB Tiki Barber (989 total yards, 5 TDs) are among the early-season favorites for MVP. ... The Giants shut out the Vikings, 41-0, in the 2000 NFC Championship game. ... QB Kurt Warner, who played six seasons in St. Louis, is 31-7 as a starter in domes.
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Nick Greisen. The Giants didn't sign Barrett Green to a five-year deal to sit the bench, even if it is for disciplinary reasons. But as long as Greisen plays like he did on Sunday when he made seven tackles, it will be difficult for Coughlin to relent. Greisen made no mental mistakes according to Coughlin and had a sack that was negated by a penalty.
KEY MATCHUP
Randy Moss vs. the Giants' secondary. Moss will be the second top-tier receiver the Giants have faced this season. Eagles WR Terrell Owens had three touchdowns in the season opener. Since then, Giants CBs Will Allen and Will Peterson have played much better. On Sunday, however, Lions QB Joey Harrington had his first 200-plus yard game and threw for two touchdowns. Moss has a hamstring injury and won't be 100 percent, but he is still dangerous. Rookie S Gibril Wilson has never faced a receiver of Moss' caliber.
INJURIES
Giants: DT Fred Robbins (shoulder) is questionable. C Shaun O'Hara (knee) and CB Frank Walker (ankle) suffered minor injuries against the Lions.
Vikings: LB Chris Claiborne (calf) is out. C Cory Withrow (knee) is doubtful. Moss and OL Adam Goldberg (knee, ankle) are questionable. C Matt Birk (concussion) and RB Moe Williams (hamstring) are probable.
KEY STAT
Heading into last week, the Giants ranked first in the NFC in yards per first-down play. But after averaging only 4.4 yards in Sunday's loss to Detroit, they dropped to fifth. The new leader is this week's opponent, Minnesota. A look to the top five teams in yards per first down in the conference:
Team;;plays;;yards;;average
Minnesota Vikings;;183;;1,174;;6.42
Atlanta Falcons;;177;;1,113;;6.29
St. Louis Rams;;195;;1208;;6.19
Dallas Cowboys;;162;;995;;6.14
Giants;;170;;1034;;6.08