The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants will face off in NFL Preseason Week 1. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The game will broadcast live on ESPN App.
The Vikings are favored by -2.5 with the over/under set at 41.5 total points. Minnesota is a -146 favorite to win outright, while New York is +124 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Vikings vs Giants predictions and NFL Preseason picks for Saturday, August, 15.
My Vikings vs Giants Prediction
- Vikings vs Giants pick: Giants Moneyline (-146, FanDuel)
My Vikings vs Giants best bet is on New York to win. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Vikings vs Giants Odds
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | -146 |
| Giants Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | +124 |
Vikings vs. Giants NFL Preseason Preview
Vikings Betting Preview: Busy Offseason
The Vikings were equally as active as their Saturday adversary in an offseason largely defined by the team’s addition of former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to compete with 23-year-old young QB out of Michigan J.J. McCarthy.
Murray was signed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal following some uncertainty about the team’s reliance on McCarthy as their QB of the future.
Murray was just announced as Minnesota’s starting QB on Wednesday after a long training camp battle, which should result in McCarthy getting plenty of preseason run in a backup capacity.
Given Murray’s projected absence from the Vikings’ first preseason matchup on Saturday, former Golden Gopher QB Max Brosmer will get a ton of snaps as well.
The Vikings made several key moves for their defense this past offseason. Notably, defensive coordinator Brian Flores was instrumental in signing LB Eric Wilson to a three-year, $22.5 million contract in what will be his second stint with Minnesota.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s bunch also brought in CB James Pierre and veteran safety Jamal Adams to add some much-needed depth to the Vikes’ secondary.
Minnesota also put together quite the draft class, with the Vikings selecting nine players in April, highlighted by Florida Gators DT Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick.
Vikings WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison may not see more than a series or two, if they are to even see the field at all, which should pave the way for WRs Tai Felton, Myles Price and Jeshaun Jones to get plenty of reps as well.
Behind Vikings RBs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, I expect former UCF RB Demond Claiborne to lead the charge out of Minnesota’s backfield on Saturday afternoon.
Giants Betting Preview: New Faces
The Giants had quite the busy offseason, highlighted by the high-profile hiring of former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, including a complete overhaul of their special teams and coaching staff.
In addition to hiring Harbaugh, the Giants brought in former NFL safety Dennard Wilson to take over as defensive coordinator, with former Bears head coach Matt Nagy taking over as offensive coordinator.
The Giants improved far more than their coaching staff after putting together a phenomenal 2026 NFL Draft class, with the front office selecting Ohio State LB Arvell Reese with their fifth overall pick, followed by Miami OL Francis Mauigoa. New York went on to select Tennessee CB Colton Hood and Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields, amongst several other big additions.
The Giants also signed former Raven Isaiah Likely, who will take over as the team’s starting TE. New York made another key addition for Jaxson Dart by signing former Falcons WR Darnell Mooney.
While the G-Men lost DT Dexter Lawrence in a trade to the Bengals following disputes over a contract raise, they fortunately were able to bring in former Bills first-rounder LB Tremaine Edmunds to stabilize the middle of the defense.
For an offense oozing with young talent, highlighted by Dart, RB Cam Skattebo and WR Malik Nabers, the Giants enter the season with a ton of potential to reverse the misfortune over the team’s last several seasons.
Giants backup QB Jameis Winston should see the most action for New York’s offense in Week 1, with RBs Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary projected to see a lot of action as well.
Vikings vs Giants Prediction, Betting Analysis
We are in for a great matchup on Saturday afternoon, as two of the most active teams this past offseason both seek to start their respective 2026 campaigns with a victory.
Despite the Vikings making several key additions to improve the team’s play on both sides of the football, the Giants have a ton of value in this spot as a home dog.
Pick: Giants Moneyline (+124, FanDuel)
