Vikings vs. Giants 2019 Prediction: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Dominate Daniel Jones, NY In Week 5

As poorly as the Minnesota Vikings played in their most recent loss to the Chicago Bears, that’s how good they’ll look when they visit the New York Giants Sunday afternoon. Expect Kirk Cousins and Co. to bounce back in a major way in Week 5.

This is where Minnesota and their quarterback shine. The Vikings usually struggle against the top teams on their schedule, but they play great when taking on weaker opponents.

Minnesota is a 5.5-point road favorite, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark, despite sharing a 2-2 record with New York. Recent history suggests the Vikings will both win and cover the spread.

The Giants are certainly a much more competitive team with Daniel Jones at quarterback. That doesn’t mean they have turned into a playoff contender.

Before holding the Washington Redskins without a touchdown in Week 4, New York had surrendered more points than any team in the NFC. The Redskins are the only team in the conference with a 0-4 record. After losing linebacker Ryan Connelly, the Giants’ defense could revert back to the way it played in the first three weeks of the 2019 season.

Jones has committed two turnovers in each of his starts. That number could be higher against a Vikings’ team that ranks sixth in total defense, scoring defense and opponents’ yards per play.

New York will be in this game if Minnesota’s offense performs the way it did in Chicago. The Vikings were held to six points against the Bears in Week 4. In Week 2, Minnesota only put up 16 points in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

In two games against teams that don’t have a winning record, the Vikings have been dominant. Minnesota beat the Atlanta Falcons 28-12 in the season opener in a game that was over by halftime. The Oakland Raiders never had a chance when they lost 34-14 in Minnesota two weeks ago.

Cousins posted passer ratings of 140.8 and 112.0 in those victories. In his final three games against teams that missed the playoffs last season, Cousins posted three passer ratings north of 112.0. The quarterback earned his $84 million guaranteed because of the way he plays against mediocre competition.

Adam Thielen’s comments about the team needing to throw the ball down the field more could inspire Cousins and the Vikings’ offense to take advantage of a weak Giants’ secondary. Dalvin Cook is just one yard away from leading the NFL in rushing. He’ll have his share of success on the ground.

The Vikings are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games as a favorite, per OddsShark’s Joe Osborne. The Giants are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games as a home underdog.

Prediction: Minnesota over New York, 30-17