A quarterback sneak on a very short fourth down brings up the first down for New York at the Minnesota five yard line.

The dangers of a quarterback sneak are on full display there as Eric Kendricks bends Daniel Jones up with a big hit.

After a first down pass attempt is ruled incomplete after a quick review, Brian Daboll dials up another pass play.

Daniel Jones floats a pass over the left side and Isaiah Hodgins shows off incredible body control to toe tap on the sideline and keep the feet inbounds for a 19 yard gain.

The New York Giants will want to respond to Minnesota's recent field goal with a score of their own and they are moving the ball well.

Back-to-back first downs have them on the plus side of the field and nearing field goal range.

Field goal - Vikingspublished at 00:06 Greenwich Mean Time 16 January 2023

00:06 GMT 16 January 2023

New York Giants 24-24 Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O'Connell originally sends the offence out on fourth down, and it looks like they will go for the quarterback sneak but a false start negates the play.

Instead Greg Joseph is sent out to attempt a field goal and his kick from 38 yards is good.

Greg Brady
NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

The Giants have had a lot of young players step up. Making decisions based on the salary cap isn't easy, but when things haven't gone well for you, the decisions are easier. You don't have to be particularly loyal to players who haven't got it done, so the Giants have been able to build a really young, lean team. They've few players over 28.

The Vikings are a much older team. There's a window here for them, let alone their 34-year-old quarterback [Kirk Cousins]. A lot of their key players are 30 or older.

On third down the Vikings are trying to find a way into the redzone. Kirk Cousins fires a laser over the middle of the field to TJ Hockensen again.

The tight end is wrapped up just short of the first down marker and while he fights for the extra yard, Ezra Cleveland the Vikings offensive guard gives him an almighty shove but it is not enough.

The third quarter comes to a close on that completion to TJ Hockensen as both teams are still leaning on their offences to get them through this game.

It feels like one big defensive stop could completely flip this game with neither team really able to effect the game on that side of the ball.

It is another thrilling wildcard game that looks to be coming down to the wire.

The Vikings decide to go for it on a short fourth down attempt and the gamble by Kevin O'Connell pays off.

Justin Jefferson runs a short hook that the Giants' defensive backs attempt to jump all over but that TJ Hockensen running wide open down the sideline for an 18 yard completion.

Despite being more of a splash play offence, there is something quite methodical about this Minnesota offence at the moment.

They are staying ahead of the chains and have moved the ball to midfield.

Greg Brady
NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

The Vikings have finally got a stop on the Giants' offence and it's the shortest field yet for the Vikings. This is a great opportunity for them. The Giants will be thinking 'let's just hold them to a field goal right now'.

What a sprawling catch this was from Irv Smith Jr to bring the Vikings back into this game.

Image source, Getty Images

Greg Brady
NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

When the Vikings win, it's a tight one. They're good at pulling these ones out and that'll be on the mind of the New York Giants sideline. No question.

A tipped pass on second down leaves the Giants with a third-and-long.

Minnesota's pass rush pins their ears back and almost win completely at the line of scrimmage to bring Daniel Jones down.

Jalen Reagor fields the punt and fumbles as he is hit but it is recovered by a teammate as they narrowly escape disaster.

With just a yard to go on third down the Giants attempt an end around with Matt Breida.

Minnesota looks like they have it bottled up for a three-yard loss, but Breida grinds his way through three tackles for a first down.

New York are now 7/8 on third down attempts.

Greg Brady
NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

The Vikings' offence hasn't been the problem. They're probably on slate to score over 30 points. Their defence has got to stop Daniel Jones and the Giants' offence. But that's the response you want to see from a leader, from Kirk Cousins. The Giants haven't really been able to stop him either so it's been a real aerial performance, going back and forth, up and down the field.

An interesting note on that last touchdown play for the Vikings. They hurried to the line of scrimmage but lined Justin Jefferson up in the backfield with Dalvin Cook in the slot.

It caused all manner of miscommunication on the back end for the Giants and left the tight end Irv Smith Jr wide open.

Back-to-back good plays for the Vikings, this time Adam Thielen finds himself wide open on the right sideline and Cousins delivers a dime.

Thielen runs out of bounds inside the 10 yard line.

Minnesota need to keep pace with the Giants with their defence struggling.

They get a break on second down when Kirk Cousin's pass attempt is tipped and seemingly picked. But Julian Love cannot keep the ball off the floor.

Cousins responds on third down by finding Hockensen and the Vikings move into Giants territory.