The Giants aren't going to give the Vikings their first loss in their shiny, new (and possibly bird killing) stadium Monday night. That's obviously not a statement of fact given the game has yet to be played, but it's my prediction for Week 4 of Monday Night Football. And no birds will be harmed in the process.

Based on both of their first three games, the 2-1 Giants' path to beating the unbeaten Vikings is actually rather simple: Don't turn the ball over.

Most will be quick to credit new quarterback Sam Bradford for getting the Vikings to a 3-0 mark -- after all, he outplayed Aaron Rodgers in prime time in his first start for the team -- but the majority of the credit belongs to the defense. The Bradford-helmed offense is actually setting records for being arguably the worst offense of a 3-0 team since the merger.

Vikings are the first team since the 1970 merger to open 3-0 despite scoring only 3, or fewer, offensive TD.@NFLResearch — Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 28, 2016

It's worth noting: Those numbers are skewed by Shaun Hill's Week 1 start, which led to field goals and no touchdowns. They're also affected by the absence of Adrian Peterson, who has missed roughly a game and a half.

Still, even when Peterson was healthy, they couldn't run the ball. He averaged 1.6 yards per carry before tearing his knee.

Since that injury, the Vikings have remained hapless in the run game. In the Vikings' post-Peterson world, Jerick McKinnon leads the team in carries with 19, but he's averaging 2.8 yards per run. Matt Asiata is second in carries with 16 and he's averaging 2.6 yards per run.

Backup quarterback Shaun Hill actually leads the team in yards per carry with 8 total yards on two runs.

Vikings are averaging mlb fewest rushing yards per game (51.0) of any team to start 3-0 since 1940 — Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 28, 2016

The entire offense -- not just the running game -- has been bad. As Chase Stuart wrote for 538, the Vikings have "compiled their 3-0 mark despite gaining only 796 yards of total offense, becoming only the fifth team since 1990 to start 3-0 with fewer than 800 offensive yards."

Don't expect the Vikings to suddenly break out Monday.

The Giants defense isn't the defense it was last season, not after going on a spending spree to land Olivier Vernon, Damon "Snacks" Harrison, and Janoris Jenkins. They retained Jason Pierre-Paul. They drafted Eli Apple. And now, the Giants' defense is ranked 11th in both yards and points allowed per game. The defense's ranking doesn't look as gaudy when using Football Outsiders' DVOA metric -- checking in as the 18th best defense -- but it made a huge jump up from its spot as the third worst unit a season ago.

As CBS Sports' Pete Prisco wrote in a film review of the Giants' defense, the biggest difference is that they finally have players.

So no, I don't see the Vikings offense lighting up the Giants defense. I also don't see the Giants offense lighting up the Vikings defense, because the Vikings defense looks like the Broncos defense from a season ago. They're ranked sixth in yards allowed, third in points given up, and third in DVOA. They've shut down the Packers and Panthers. Expect a low-scoring game, despite the Giants' offensive firepower.

And that's why I believe this game will come down to a costly turnover. Consider this: The Vikings defense has scored nearly as many touchdowns (2-3) as the entire offense thus far. Factor in a return touchdown, and the Jaguars defense and special teams are scoring as many touchdowns as their offense. Clearly, Eli Manning needs to take care of the football.

That might be an issue, though. In his career against the Vikings, Manning is completing 54.1 percent of his passes and averaging 5.92 yards per pass. He's thrown five touchdowns against 14 picks. His passer rating? 54.8.

But don't assume the Vikings have his number.

Eli Manning's funny full quote about the #Vikings who "have his number." He really dragged it out. pic.twitter.com/9MgyAaApHl — Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) September 28, 2016

Putting Manning's incredibly dry humor aside, I sorta feel like he wasn't just being funny to be funny. I think he was making a point, that his awful history against one team shouldn't matter. And it shouldn't -- both teams look totally different than the teams they looked like when Manning put up the vast majority of those awful statistics.

With that, Manning is coming off a game that included a back-breaking fourth quarter pick, which doomed the Giants against the Redskins. He actually threw two costly interceptions in the final frame.

Both of Eli Manning's Int came in the 4th Qtr. He has 63 Int in the 4th Qtr in his career, 9 more than any other QB since 2004. pic.twitter.com/tdDhASf8W5 — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 25, 2016

My prediction: Bradford limits his mistakes, as he's done for a while now (more on that later), and the Vikings grind out a 20-14 win, using a Manning turnover or two to set up the offense with advantageous field position.

Here are a few more stats to watch for during the game:

1. Defensive game might be better for the Giants

A defensive game, though, might be exactly what the Giants need. Including last week's loss, when Manning throws for at least 350 yards in a game, the Giants have posted a 7-13 record, according to STATS.

In those games, Manning's thrown 25 picks. And he's been more prone to multi-pick meltdowns, which makes sense given he's airing the ball out more frequently in those games. In seven of those games, he's tossed at least two interceptions -- like last week.

2. Vikings' playoff chances

Despite their unsustainable defensive success, the Vikings' chances to make the playoffs are looking super nice.

Good chances the Vikings make the playoffs starting out 3-0. pic.twitter.com/ZZvoForx3d — Vikings Gab (@VikingsGab) September 27, 2016

Yep -- I was completely wrong to write them off after Teddy Bridgewater injury, namely because I underestimated their freakishly dominant defense.

3. The last time the Giants began 3-1 ...

According to STATS, the last time the Giants started 3-1, they made the playoffs and went on to win the Super Bowl. That was back in 2011.

They haven't made the playoffs since.

4. Sam Bradford's streak

Sam Bradford hasn't thrown an interception since Week 17 of last season. So, he's gone 86 passes without an interception, according to STATS.

The Giants have generated one takeaway through three games.