Peterson held out of Vikings practice, could play

The fact that Eli Manning and the New York Giants come to town Sunday night reminded me of the fact that Eli’s father, Archie Manning, played two seasons for the Vikings when the late Mike Lynn made a trade with the Houston Oilers in 1983 that he thought might advance his team to the playoffs.

So are nose tackle Linval Joseph, outside linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith, who all practiced every day this week and are expected to make their return to the lineup after missing multiple games due to injury. The Vikings also will clinch a berth if Atlanta (7-7) loses or ties Carolina (14-0) in a game that starts at noon (CT) or Seattle (9-5) defeats or ties St. Louis (6-8) in a game that begins at 3:25 p.m. (CT).

The Giants visit the Vikings on Sunday night, but the complexion of their remaining season will be determined on Saturday night when the Eagles host Washington.

“We want to play as best we can, as hard as we can, for two games”, coach Tom Coughlin said.

“If the guy is iffy health-wise and we were already in the playoffs, then I may sit him for another week, ” Zimmer said.

“I get motivated; I think all the guys here get motivated”, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said. He needs one touchdown in the season’s final two games to reach double-digit scores in a season for the eighth time. They’ve each essentially missed the last three games.

The Vikings have dealt with injuries to key players throughout December, but all players, including the NFL’s leading rusher, Adrian Peterson, have been listed as probable for Week 16. Martin on Wednesday said this year’s group is “the best line I’ve ever played behind” – that’s the kind of praise that could help the Bucs keep Martin, who can be an unrestricted free agent in the spring. We get a lot of our great players from the National Football League from small colleges all around the country. (1,396 yards, 13 TDs), and the New York Giants (6-8). “They can believe I’m going to do my job and I can believe that they’re going to do their job”. “And if we do happen to get into the playoffs I think it’s important that we continue to push to where we want to get to”.

“I like both of those guys; both of those guys are great football players in my eyes”, Peterson said.

The Giants won’t be a pushover, no matter what they playoff status is coming into the game.

New York’s running game is the three-headed monster of Rashard Jennings, Shane Vereen and Andre Williams, with Jennings getting the lion’s share of the work. Teddy Bridgewater had a big game throwing the ball in the win, completing 17 of 20 passes for 231 yards and four TDs.

He should be very productive for fantasy owners, as the Giants have the 21st rushing defense in the NFL.

Minnesota is a four-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 44 points.