8 things Giants fans should watch from Pat Shurmur, Vikings offense in NFC Championship Game

The news leaked out about 20 hours after the "Minnesota Miracle" catch last week against the Saints, with the Giants benefiting from the buzz around Shurmur's offense.

But if the Vikings get shut out by the Eagles or the offense stalls in field-goal range, Shurmur will be walking into a different environment next week.

Opinions change much quicker here than in Minnesota or Cleveland — where he was Browns head coach in 2011-12 — but Shurmur should be used to it. He was an assistant with the Eagles for 13 years.

Here are 8 things Giants fans should keep an eye on when watching the game:

Under former coach Ben McAdoo, the Giants used one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers on 92 percent of plays in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus, and likely would have again in 2017 if not for the injuries to wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shephard.

By comparison, the Vikings used two tight ends on 29 percent of their snaps this season under Shurmur.

Need more proof that the Giants offense is going to look different? The Vikings employed a fullback!

You remember fullback, right? It's that position that is supposed to be a lead blocker for the running back.

McAdoo carried a fullback at the start of last season but hardly used rookie Shane Smith and cut him before the end of September. He was resigned after the season was lost and he and tight end Rhett Ellison lined up in the backfield when needed.

On the other hand, Vikings fullback C.J. Ham played 216 snaps, according to PFF, and had 14 offensive touches.

Results of a 5-year study from 2013-17