The Giants have a 10-7 halftime lead over the Vikings thanks to a 24-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Rueben Randle midway through the second quarter.
The Good: Marcus Sherels' 86-yard punt return for a touchdown gave the Vikings a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter. It was the 13th punt return touchdown in Vikings history. Sherels tied David Palmer and Mewelde Moore in the team record books for most career punt return TDs, with his second. The 86-yarder was the third longest in team history. Charlie West had a 98-yarder in 1968 and Nate Burleson had a 91-yarder in 2004. It was the third punt return for a TD against the Giants this season.
The bad: Vikings rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes had a rough first half. The Giants should have scored a touchdown on their first possession, but Manning overthrew Hakeem Nicks in the end zone from the 28-yard line. Rhodes got a late break on the play, and was clearly beaten. The Giants settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead. The nine-minute, 36-second drive was the longest drive by time in the NFL this season.
Rhodes was called for pass interference on a third-down play to keep a Giants drive alive in the second quarter. Randle scored on the next play, beating Chris Cook.
The ugly: Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has 9 yards on eight carries, and quarterback Josh Freeman is 7 of 16 for 74 yards.
Etc.
- Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed a 53-yard field goal attempt, the first miss from 50 or longer in his career. Walsh, a second year pro, has 12 of 50 or longer, and his streak of 12 in a row tied an NFL record.
- Giants running back Peyton Hillis had the ball knocked loose by Vikings safety Jamarca Sanford in the second quarter, but Hillis recovered his own fumble.
- Giants center David Baas (knee) left the game in the first quarter.
