I said last week that the Giants were in a playoff game, and they came out on top. Now, they have a chance to clinch a playoff spot this week and give the Giants fanbase a hell of a Christmas gift. In order to do that, they have to beat one of the NFC’s best in the Minnesota Vikings. To get ready for this one, let’s take a look back at the Giants 2003 upset over the Vikings.
It feels good that the Giants are playing relevant football in December again. Back in 2003, the Giants fanbase wasn’t used to being one of the NFL’s worst. That is why it didn’t feel impossible for the 2-4 Giants to beat the 6-0 Vikings. It seemed even more possible when the Giants jumped out to a 10-3 lead off an Ike Hilliard touchdown reception and a Brett Conway field goal. That lead would only last so long, as Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper would hit All-World receiver Randy Moss for a 33-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10. The Giants would manage another Conway field goal to end the first half at 13-10 Giants. Fast forward to the start of the 4th quarter, and the Giants would be down 17-16 after another Conway field goal and Moss’s 2nd touchdown of the day. Midway through the first quarter, the Giants would go on their most important drive of the game. Quarterback Kerry Collins would hit Tight End Jeremy Shockey twice for a combined 65 yards in route to a Tiki Barber 2 yard touchdown rush to give the Giants a 22-17 lead. On the Vikings first play on their next drive, Giants cornerback Frank Walker would pick off Culpepper and return it 15 yards. Three plays later, Collins would hit Ike Hilliard for his second touchdown of the game to give the Giants a 29-17 lead. This would end up being the final score, and the Giants would hand the Vikings their first loss of the season.
The Giants come into this game after this franchise’s biggest win in 6 years while the Vikings come into this game after executing the greatest comeback in NFL history. The Giants are far from juggernauts, but neither are the Vikings. Yes, their an 11-3 football team and deserve credit for that, but last week was kind of a common theme for their season. They have won a ton of close games. The Giants have proven throughout this season that they can win close games as well.
Just like in 2003, the NFL world just might be seeing an upset take place in Minnesota.
Highlights to this Classic:
(Photo: AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)
