NFL odds and lines 2013, Week 7: Vikings vs. Giants

The Week 7 meeting between the Vikings and Giants features two recently-successful franchises that have fallen off in the wins department. The Vikings are 1-4 after suffering a tough loss to the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 6. Meanwhile, the Giants are 0-6 after a dreadful loss to the Bears on Thursday Night Football but are coming off 10 days of rest. The extra time to heal and home field advantage has the lowly Giants favored by 2.5 points on Monday, according to OddsShark.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning will need to improve on ball security against the Vikings. He is currently leading the league in interceptions by a large margin, and the Giants' lack of a running game puts the team in a bind. Wide receivers like Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Hakeem Nicks will be huge in the Giants' effort to get to get their first win of the season.

The Vikings will have to ride running back Adrian Peterson to victory. With no clear indication of who will be the starter moving forward in Minnesota, the running game needs to assert itself to protect the Vikings passer (whoever that may be). The Vikings defense will need to cause pressure on Manning to get him to force his passes. If Jared Allen and Brian Robison can attack the weak Giants' offensive line, the Vikings could pull off the upset.