MINNEAPOLIS — Adrian Peterson ran for 104 yards and a touchdown in three quarters, Harrison Smith took one of Eli Manning’s three interceptions into the end zone and the Minnesota Vikings clinched a playoff spot with a 49-17 victory over the New York Giants on a frigid Sunday night.
Teddy Bridgewater turned in another sharp December performance, Blair Walsh chipped in five field goals and the Vikings (10-5) set up an NFC North championship game next week at Green Bay.
With Peterson relaxing on the sideline, Jerick McKinnon rushed for two more TDs in the fourth quarter, including a 68-yard romp through a disinterested defense with the temperature down to 11 degrees.
Manning badly missed suspended wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and his 1,396 yards and 13 touchdowns, as the Giants (6-9) trudged toward a fourth straight absence from the postseason.
THE VIKINGS’ game at Green Bay that will decide the NFC North title has been moved to Sunday night.
Through its flex scheduling option, the NFL placed that game in prime time, with the winner taking the division crown.
Ten games are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff, with the Jets at Buffalo, and Pittsburgh at Cleveland involving a potential AFC wild card. Houston, which will win the AFC South by beating Jacksonville, also is at 1.
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