TONIGHT

New York Giants (5-4)

at Minnesota (3-5)

6 p.m., Channel 7

The line: Minnesota by 2.

Story line: The Vikings would love to exact some revenge for a 41-0 pummeling by the Giants in last season’s NFC championship game. New York is underachieving and in the midst of a dogfight with the Eagles for NFC East supremacy. While Minnesota is coming off two road losses in which they were trounced by a combined score of 89-27, the Vikings are a respectable 3-1 at the Metrodome. The late Korey Stringer is to be honored at halftime.

Keys to the game: New York defensive end Michael Strahan is having a monster season. The Vikings will try and neutralize Strahan with double teams and by running straight at him. Look for quarterback Kerry Collins to challenge the Vikings’ undermanned secondary with the deep ball.

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MATCHUPS NYG MINN. Points scored 18.3 (20) 19.4 (15) Points allowed 16.7 (9) 26.6 (28) Passing Off. 204.6 (17) 227.1 (6) Rushing Off. 107.8 (19) 100.4 (23) Passing Def. 205.4 (18) 230.2 (27) Rushing Def. 90.6 (6) 132.2 (23) Time of Poss. 31:13 (11) 29:39 (23) Turnover Ratio 0 (15) -12 (31) Sacks 29.0 (3) 10 (30)

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The pick: Emotion and favorable surroundings should help the Vikings prevail in what could be a real nail-biter. This game is a gut check for Minnesota, which can start planning for next year should it lose.