Giants vs. Vikings prediction: 2026 NFL preseason picks, odds, best bets

John Harbaugh isn’t giving bettors much help ahead of the Giants’ preseason opener against the Vikings.The first-year Giants head coach has been cagey about whether Big Blue’s starters will play Saturday at MetLife Stadium, telling reporters Thursday he plans on keeping his personnel decisions under wraps until game time.“We’ll see when the game comes,” he said.That uncertainty makes the Vikings and their straightforward quarterback situation much more appealing with this tight spread. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has already confirmed that both Kyler Murray, who officially won the starting quarterback job for the Vikings earlier this week, and former starter J.J.McCarthy will play, giving the Vikings two quarterbacks with legitimate NFL starting experience.The Vikings’ depth behind center doesn’t end there.Carson Wentz, who is competing for a spot behind Murray and McCarthy, should also see the field in the Meadowlands, which is a luxury for a preseason game compared to most teams.Wentz made five starts for Minnesota last season and went 2-3, while fourth-stringer Max Brosmer also started two games.Compare that with the Giants, who could give most of their quarterback reps to backups Jameis Winston and Brandon Allen if Harbaugh elects to take it easy with Jaxson Dart.
Dart could very well still suit up, but there is a lot more unknown with the Giants.With Murray and McCarthy confirmed to play and Wentz potentially waiting behind them, Minnesota should have the better quarterback on the field for most, if not all, of Saturday’s game.The play: Vikings -2.5 (-130, FanDuel Sportsbook)Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports.He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA....