Giants excited by Vikings rematch, thought first sport ‘can be louder’

PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley stated after the primary assembly with the Minnesota Vikings, when the New York Giants misplaced 27-24 on a 61-yard discipline objective as time expired, he needed a rematch.

Request granted.

The sixth-seeded Giants get the third-seeded Vikings within the wild-card spherical of the NFL playoffs subsequent weekend.

“Really, I talked to a few of the guys after the sport towards Minnesota and stated, ‘We’ll see you guys once more,'” Barkley stated after not enjoying Sunday because the Giants rested their starters in a 22-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. “It was an ideal matchup [in Minnesota]. It was an ideal sport.

“Clearly they got here out with the win. However we’re excited as a result of that is the stuff you dream about as a child within the Nationwide Soccer League. Not a many individuals on this staff had a possibility to play within the playoffs. It has been a tricky couple years right here and we lastly have our shot. We really feel we’ve got a balanced staff that enhances one another rather well. It is a one-week season now.”

The Giants (9-7-1) imagine they might have received in Minnesota the primary time round. Offensive lineman Nick Gates stated if that they had performed a clear sport “it might have been a distinct story.” New York had a punt blocked and an interception, and it dropped an interception and a few key passes — all within the fourth quarter alone.

Gates additionally wasn’t blown away by the environment at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.

“Shocked. Really, I assumed it might be rather a lot louder,” Gates stated. “I assumed particularly when our offense is on the market they’d be rather a lot louder on the market. However , they’re Midwest individuals. They’re too good. I can say it as a result of I went to Nebraska. I went to Nebraska. I embrace myself in that one.”

The Vikings (13-4) went 8-1 at dwelling this season. The one blemish was a 40-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in late November.

The Giants’ solely win on the street towards a successful staff got here after they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in late October. They had been possible going to face both Minnesota or the San Francisco 49ers within the wild-card spherical. However the 49ers took care of enterprise and beat the Arizona Cardinals 38-13 to clinch the No. 2 seed within the NFC.

That arrange the rematch with the Vikings.

“It is the playoffs. Regardless of the seeds are, the seeds are,” Giants coach Brian Daboll stated. “We’ll put together as laborious as we will to play a very good soccer staff in a hostile surroundings.”

The Giants stated after studying of their playoff opponent that they did not have a desire (they didn’t face San Francisco this season).

There’s familiarity with Minnesota. And a sense they’ll make a run.

“I believe we’re a assured staff no matter who we’re enjoying,” stated quarterback Daniel Jones, who was additionally held out of Sunday’s sport. “Like I stated, we’ll research the movie, see what we will do higher, however we’re trying ahead to the chance.”