Vikings defense stifles Giants
MINNEAPOLIS — Odell Beckham Jr. and the potent New York Giants passing attack never found a rhythm on another frustrating night for the volatile wide receiver.
The Minnesota Vikings have been making a habit of sending the opponent home unhappy.
Mystifying Eli Manning yet again, holding Beckham to a career-low 23 yards on three catches and turning two turnovers into 10 points, the Vikings stayed unbeaten with a 24-10 victory Monday over the Giants.
“We feel like we’ve got one of the best units in the game,” cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. “We’ve just got to keep working. Our coaches do a great job of putting in a great game plan, and we just go out there and cover the guys up. Everybody on this defense wants to be great.”
The Vikings (4-0) didn’t record a sack after getting 13 over the past two games, but they were so tight in coverage and sound against the run that the Giants only converted 2 of 12 third downs. Second in the NFL with 12.5 points allowed per contest, the Vikings have conquered quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Manning in consecutive games — the last two league MVP award winners and a two-time Super Bowl champion. They’re 6-2 against Manning in his career.
Coach Mike Zimmer was concerned about Beckham, Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard, as dangerous a trio of pass-catchers as there is in the NFL.
