Minneapolis
Most of the matchups with the Vikings since then haven’t gone so smoothly.
In seven career starts against them, Manning has a 2-5 record with a rough 54.8 passer rating. He’s thrown for only five touchdowns, and five of the 14 interceptions by the Vikings have been taken to the end zone.
Talking about having a guy’s number.
“I don’t think anybody has my phone number on the Vikings,” Manning said last week, using some wry humor to try to deflect the subject of his struggles.
Hold on, he said, stringing along the joke in his session with reporters as if it were a hard fake handoff before dropping back to throw a play-action pass.
Former Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph, who’s currently thriving in his role with Minnesota, might have the digits. Quarterbacks in the NFL form an unofficial fraternity, so perhaps Vikings starter Sam Bradford knows how to reach Manning.
“I can’t think of anybody else’s off hand,” Manning said. “I’ll look at my phone and get back to you on that one, though.”
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and his aggressive, versatile defense had Manning on his heels all night during a 49-17 victory in the cold last December after the Giants were eliminated from playoff contention.
This year, the Vikings (3-0) lead the league with a plus-8 turnover margin. The Giants (2-1) are tied for the second-worst at minus-6.
The Vikings were greatly aided last season by the absence of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who served a suspension for his on-field antics the week before. Beckham’s behavior has been a hot topic again this year , and coach Ben McAdoo chided him about the distraction, but his performance hasn’t left much to be desired.
He hasn’t scored a touchdown yet, but he has 280 yards on 19 receptions.
Zimmer expressed concern beyond Beckham. Rookie Sterling Shepard and the resurgent Victor Cruz have given Manning a dangerous downfield trio.
“It puts a lot of stress on you, because you’ve got to cover the field,” the coach said. “It’s not like you can cheat very much.”