Giants vs. Vikings: Daily Fantasy Sleepers, Lineup Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings

The expectation surrounding the New York Giants clash with the Minnesota Vikings is that it should be the most entertaining game on Sunday's NFL wild-card slate.

The Giants and Vikings played a thrilling contest in Week 16 that was won by Minnesota on a last-second field goal.

Minnesota's defensive inefficiencies were on display in that contest. That is the reason why we are expecting such a tight battle on Sunday afternoon.

The Vikings have two top daily fantasy football targets in Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson.

Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley are both expected to have high roster percentages on FanDuel and DraftKings as well.

There could be a few sleepers on both players that help DFS players gain an advantage in Sunday contests.

You may not have to go far down the depth chart to find those players either.

Sleeper Picks

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 24: Richie James #80 of the New York Giants warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Richie James, WR, New York Giants

Richie James had eight catches for 90 yards against Minnesota in Week 16.

He followed that up with seven catches on seven targets for 76 yards and a score in Week 17.

Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins will receive more DFS attention, but James could be the true difference-maker for the Giants.

James has 26 receptions in his last four games for the Giants.

He is far down the list of wide receivers that will be picked first for DFS lineups on Sunday, but his recent contributions suggest that he could be plugged into any lineup varieties and succeed.

Irv Smith, TE, Minnesota

Irv Smith ended a long injury layoff in Week 18.

Smith produced three catches on three targets for 14 yards.

That seems like a rather innocuous total, but Week 18 was all about getting Smith comfortable inside the offense again.

The Vikings torched the Giants with T.J. Hockenson for 109 yards and two scores in Week 16.

Minnesota could look to pick apart the Giants defense with tight ends once again and that's where Smith fits in perfectly.

Hockenson may still receive more targets, but Smith could be a red-zone target of Kirk Cousins. The situational plays could give him an edge over other tight ends playing on Sunday.

Giants Lineup Picks

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 01: New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs during the National Football League game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts on January 1, 2023 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If you plan on using a New York Lineup stack, Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley are auto plays.

Barkley ran for 84 yards and earned 49 more in the passing game in Week 16.

For the Giants to win, Barkley needs to be a massive part of the offense.

Any combination of James, Hodgins and Slayton can be used to pair with Jones to round out the lineup stack.

All three wideouts had over 75 receiving yards against the Vikings in the regular season.

Daniel Bellinger is the only other option to consider from the Giants, but he is more of a long-shot player given how often Jones targets Barkley and the three wide receivers.

Vikings Lineup Picks

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 08: Wide receiver Adam Thielen #19 celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver K.J. Osborn #17 and wide receiver Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings during the 1st quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 08, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Justin Jefferson is the first name chosen in every DFS conversation involving the Vikings.

Jefferson's resume speaks for itself; he could end up as the highest point earner on Sunday's slate.

Jefferson posted 133 yards and a touchdown off 12 catches in the regular-season meeting with the Giants.

A Kirk Cousins-Jefferson pairing could do wonders for DFS lineups.

Dalvin Cook is the logical third option to a Vikings lineup stack. He leads the team with eight rushing touchdowns.

Any one of Smith, Hockenson, KJ Osborn or Adam Thielen could be used to finish the lineup stack.

You may lean more toward Hockenson or Smith, because of how well Hockenson performed against the Giants in Week 16, and due to the lack of tight end depth across the three-game slate.