Healthy Defense Powers Minnesota Vikings' Blowout of Giants

Finally healthy again on defense, in Sunday Night Football's matchup, the Minnesota Vikings blew out the New York Giants and made a powerful statement ahead of their Week 17 NFC North showdown with the Green Bay Packers.

Minnesota returned safety Harrison Smith, linebacker Anthony Barr and nose tackle Linval Joseph on Sunday night, and the unifying result was one of the Vikings' best defensive performances of the 2015 season. Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw three interceptions, including a pick-six to Smith, as Minnesota beat New York by a 49-17 final score.

Now 10-5, the Vikings will travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for a de facto divisional title game against the Packers at Lambeau Field next Sunday night. An intact defense could make life difficult for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 17.

Banded back together against the Giants, the Vikings put Manning through a 60-minute horror show. By the time he was pulled from the contest in the fourth quarter, Manning had taken four sacks and provided three turnovers.

He threw an interception on New York's second possession when he forced a pass to receiver Hakeem Nicks. The ball was deflected right into the waiting arms of Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo. Things really started to unravel just before the half, when Manning's attempt to the sideline was intercepted by Smith and returned 35 yards for a touchdown.

The score put the Vikings up by 13 points with four minutes left in the half.

The game was effectively ended on a third Manning interception. Midway through the third quarter, Manning misread the coverage and threw right to Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who returned the pick 32 yards to the Giants' 4-yard line. Adrian Peterson punched in the touchdown two plays later.

Minnesota scored 13 points off Manning turnovers.

The Vikings also dominated the Giants on third down. New York converted just one of 11 third-down opportunities, with two sacks coming on the key down. The Giants were also 0-of-2 on fourth down.

Overall, New York had 15 possessions but scored just 17 points, with seven of those coming in garbage time with backup quarterback Ryan Nassib in the contest. Another seven came on a deep completion to Rueben Randle, who bounced off a tackle for a 72-yard touchdown.

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The performance comes with the caveat that Odell Beckham Jr., New York's Pro Bowl receiver, wasn't available due to suspension. But even OBJ couldn't have saved the Giants on this night.

Now, we'll get a chance to see if Rodgers and the reeling Packers can handle Minnesota's healthy defense.

Green Bay was throttled by the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, with Rodgers taking as many sacks (eight) as the Packers scored points. Facing Rodgers at Lambeau Field is never an easy test, but these Vikings finally look ready to ace the exam.

It's probably no coincidence that in Joseph's first game back, the Vikings allowed just 91 rushing yards. The same could be said for Minnesota's blitz packages coming to life with Barr back in the lineup and the big plays returning with Smith providing a steadying presence at the back end.

The Vikings looked vulnerable without the trio. Their return gives head coach Mike Zimmer's defense everything it needs to combat Rodgers.

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Beating the 2015 version of the Packers has been simplified. Rodgers can still make miraculous plays, but he's been limited when his running game has been taken away. In the first meeting between the two clubs, running back Eddie Lacy rushed for 100 yards, and the Packers scored 30 points.

Taking away the run game and forcing the Packers to win on the perimeter on passing downs has been used over and over to frustrate the fading unit this season. The Vikings, when healthy, are absolutely capable of following the blueprint.

Minnesota will be healthy next Sunday night. And if Zimmer's defense plays anywhere near the level of its blowout of Manning and the Giants, the Vikings will have a good chance of beating the Packers for the first time since 2012.

A win at Lambeau Field would clinch the franchise's first division title since 2009 while also providing a home playoff game.

Sixty minutes will decide the next NFC North champion. Expect the Vikings defense to have a big say in who emerges victorious from the title bout to finish Week 17.

Zach Kruse covers the Vikings for Bleacher Report.