Is New York Giants Coach Tom Coughlin on his way out?

MINNEAPOLIS -- For the first time in nearly a month, the Minnesota Vikings' defense was at full strength.

It showed against the New York Giants on Sunday as the Vikings rolled to a dominating 49-17 win at TCF Bank Stadium.

Minnesota (10-5) clinched a playoff spot and also set up a game that will decide the NFC North title in Week 17. The Vikings will travel to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers next Sunday night.

The playoff berth is Minnesota's first under second-year coach Mike Zimmer and first since 2012. The Vikings haven't won a division title since they captured back-to-back NFC North championships in 2008 and 2009.

"If you would have told me back in July that we'd have a chance on the last game of the year to play for a division title, I would have been excited about it," Zimmer said. "We've played well on the road this year, but we haven't beaten Green Bay. That's something we've gotta get done."

The Vikings' defense, with defensive tackle Linval Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith all back from injuries, intercepted Giants quarterback Eli Manning three times, returned one of those for a touchdown and brought another inside the Giants' 5-yard line to set up another score.

Minnesota also sacked Manning four times.

"When you create turnovers and put pressure on the quarterback, good things typically happen," Zimmer said. "I thought we got (Manning) to make some bad throws, and we took advantage of it."

Manning and the Giants' offense repeatedly put their defense in perilous positions in the first half. New York had one first down through the first 20 minutes of the game and fell behind 10-0 on a touchdown grab by tight end Kyle Rudolph on Minnesota's first drive of the second quarter.

After a Josh Brown field goal got the Giants within seven points, New York's defense got a quick stop and put the offense in position to potentially tie the game.

However, three plays later, Manning threw his second interception of the half, and Smith raced 35 yards down the left sideline for the score.

The Giants were never in the game after that.

What we learned about the Giants:

1. It is easy to believe the Giants gave up on the season. Now, one has to wonder if management will give up on coach Tom Coughlin. After a disappointing season in which New York will miss the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, Coughlin could be on his way out after 12 seasons in New York and two Super Bowl wins. Coughlin also could choose to go out on his own; word in New York is that Coughlin is considering retirement. The Giants host the Philadelphia Eagles in a meaningless Week 17 game, after which, Coughlin's future will come into focus.

2. Eli Manning has struggled against the Vikings in his career, and those troubles continued Sunday. Manning dropped to 3-5 against Minnesota in eight career starts, and has five touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in those games. Manning was held without a completion in the first quarter for the fourth time in his career; twice, it came at the hands of the Vikings.

3. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. should garner some votes for Most Valuable Player. With Beckham suspended by the NFL for his actions against the Carolina Panthers last week, the Giants' offense was completely inept without the threat of the second-year man on the outside. New York scored just three points with the game competitive Sunday, adding its final 14 points in the second half with the game already well out of hand. Beckham is one of the league's premier offensive talents, something the Giants desperately missed against Minnesota.

Etc.

--OT Marshall Newhouse left the game in the second half with a concussion and did not return. His status for Week 17 is uncertain.

--QB Eli Manning finished 15-for-29 for 234 yards and a touchdown to go with three interceptions. Manning dropped to 3-5 in eight career starts against the Vikings. In those games, he has five touchdown passes and 14 interceptions.

--WR Odell Beckham Jr. was suspended for Sunday's game by the NFL for his actions against the Carolina Panthers last week. He is expected to be reinstated by the league on Monday and should play against the Eagles next week.