Giants vs. Vikings 2015 final score: Minnesota demolishes New York, 49-17, to clinch playoff appearance

The Minnesota Vikings steamrolled the New York Giants, 49-17, to clinch their first playoff appearance since 2012. They face the Green Bay Packers next week for the NFC North title.

The game started off quiet with both teams trading punts. The Vikings got a break halfway through the first quarter when Andrew Sendejo picked off a tipped pass from Eli Manning, but they couldn’t take advantage and ended up punting the ball away again. Minnesota eventually became the first team to score, settling for a field goal after terrific coverage from Trevin Wade saved a sure Mike Wallace touchdown.

The Vikings got into the end zone for the first time in the second quarter, with Teddy Bridgewater hitting Kyle Rudolph on a perfect pass down the seam. The Giants got in scoring position with a 50-yard catch-and-run from Rashad Jennings, but the drive stalled in the red zone and New York kicked the field goal instead.

Minnesota opened up its lead further when Smith scored a pick-six off Manning, while Blair Walsh hit a 52-yard field goal at the end of the second half. The Vikings went into halftime with a 19-3 lead.

Minnesota drove back inside the red zone on its first drive of the third quarter and extended its lead to 22-3 with Walsh’s third field goal of the night. Things went to bad to worse for the Giants when Manning threw his third interception of the game, setting up the Vikings near the goal line. Adrian Peterson punched it in from 2 yards out to continue the rout.

The Giants had a small consolation by finally finding the end zone when Manning hit Rueben Randle for a 72-yard touchdown. That elation was short-lived, as the ensuing onside kick was returned by Minnesota to the 18-yard line. Jerick McKinnon added yet another exclamation point with a 7-yard touchdown of his own. McKinnon followed that up with a 68-yard sprint to the end zone as the Vikings pulled their starters with the game well in hand.

Ryan Nassib replaced Manning late in the fourth quarter and threw the first touchdown pass of his NFL career, which is certainly a feel-good moment for him in an otherwise miserable game for the Giants.

1. Minnesota’s defense is getting healthy again

The Vikings have been hobbled by injuries on defense. Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr and Linval Joseph, three pillars of a strong overall unit, all missed multiple games the past month, and Minnesota has scuffled without them. On Sunday night, all three made their return and proceeded to terrorize Manning and the Giants offense. Smith made the biggest impact with a pick-six that blew the game open in the second quarter. With the defense healthy and peaking at the right time, Minnesota will be a tough matchup for any opponent in the playoffs.

2. The Giants badly missed Odell Beckham Jr.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it’s startling just how lost the Giants’ offense looks with no Beckham to stretch the field or make plays on his own. Randle, Will Tye and Myles White were poor substitutes for Beckham, while Manning threw three picks on the night. Beckham will be back for the regular season finale, but the damage has been done.

At 6-9, the Giants will finish out another underwhelming season that leaves them with more questions than answers. Tom Coughlin’s job status is sure to be a hot debate among Giants fans and media.

3. Vikings and Packers will play for the division

During the third quarter, NBC confirmed that the Vikings and Packers will play on Sunday Night Football next week, with the NFC North title on the line. Both teams already clinched a playoff spot, but that game could have significant implications on the playoff seedings. The winner will secure the No. 3 seed and play either the Seattle Seahawks or ... the loser of this game.

In other words, it’s entirely possible we see an NFC North rematch in the playoffs, which should be a lot of fun. These teams last met in Week 11, with the Packers getting the 30-13 win, but Green Bay is still smarting after getting whipped by the Arizona Cardinals earlier on Sunday.