NFL: N.Y. Giants head to Minnesota for Night Football read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1126-nfl-n-y-giants-head-to-minnesota-for-night-football

New York Giants’ secondary thin going into prime-time showdown against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.

The Giants will be without two of their starting safeties in Nat Berhe (concussion) and Darian Thompson (foot), and the status of cornerbacksDominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) and Eli Apple(hamstring) remains uncertain with both unlikely to play.

Apple is listed as doubtful, but Rodgers-Cromartie likely will be a game-time decision.

Vernon promises the Giants will not be out to overcompensate for perceived holes in the back of their defense. The plan of getting after opposing quarterbacks never changes.

That goal becomes even more of a priority Monday when points likely will be a premium.

The Vikings (3-0) are vulnerable along the offensive line and the Giants (2-1) — despite stark improvements up front — have yet to have the kind of performance that jumps off the videotape from every angle.

Matt Kalil, Minnesota’s starting left tackle, is on injured reserve after undergoing hip surgery. That forced T.J. Clemmings to flip from right tackle to the blind side.

Left guard Alex Boone was hampered in practice all week with a hip injury, although he’s expected to start. The right side of guard Brandon Fusco and tackle Andre Smith has struggled mightily, allowing 21 pressures over the first three games.

In their three wins, the Vikings are holding opposing offenses to under 300 total yards and are third in the NFL in points allowed (40).

The Minnesota offense is ranked 31st in the NFL in yards per game (265.3), but has turned over the ball just once and has outscored its opponents in the second half, 46-19.

The Giants have played 211 defensive snaps in their first three games and Pierre-Paul has missed just five of them. Vernon has played 198.

“It’s not the same team as last year,” Minnesota’s Clemmings said. “It’s the same New York Giants, but the pieces are different. We understand that. It’s not going to be last year. We know it’s a good team we’re about to face.”

The Giants know it, too.