Giants face a must-win game against Minnesota

If any possibility of a Giants playoff berth this season exists, they must win tonight against the Vikings at MetLife Stadium — and every other game the rest of the way. And really, they don’t deserve to make the playoffs if they fall to 0-7 against a Minnesota team that enters the game with just one win. Here are three key players in a dismal Monday Night Football matchup.

Eli Manning
The Giants QB has not been good enough. It’s time for the two-time Super Bowl winner to turn it around and stop throwing interceptions. The Vikings are about average when it comes to securing picks — seven on the season — so it’s a reasonable matchup for Manning to get back on track. Perhaps tonight will be his first game of the season without causing a turnover.
 

Adrian Peterson
Last year’s MVP has been good (4.7 ypc) but not quite as dominant running the ball for Minnesota this season, and he experienced a tragedy two weeks ago when his young son died. However, the Giants cannot afford to sleep on this all-world talent. Stifling Peterson’s production will go a long way in simplifying what has been a one-dimensional offense this season.

Jason Pierre-Paul
After battling illness last week, the Giants will need their dynamic defensive end healthy. But that’s just where it starts for JPP, who hasn’t been himself after offseason back surgery. He has just one sack this season — the team as a whole only has five — and that simply won’t do from a franchise pass rusher. He will need to be in new Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman’s face all night, but who knows if he has it in him?