The Vikings avenged their 2022 wild card loss to the Giants with a confident 28 to six win. The Vikings ran a balanced offense that saw Aaron Jones run for 94 yards and Sam Darnold finish with a 113.2 passer rating. Meanwhile the New York Giants failed to score a touchdown, being held to just two field goals.
The New York Giants started their 100th season as an NFL franchise on this September 8 opening day matchup vs. the Vikings. The Giants entered this season with low expectations after a disappointing 2023 season and losing key pieces in free agency. This game clearly showed their offense is lacking behind the rest of the league.
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings first quarter
After a holding call had forced the Vikings back, they had a hard time getting into their offense. This final result was a sack by Dexter Lawrence and a forced fumble by Bobby Okereke. The Giants got to start a possession close to their endzone. However, they were only able to get a field goal after a failed run by Daniel Jones.
The Giants gave the football back to the Vikings. After an illegal formation penalty the New York Giants gave up five yards to start the possession at the Vikings 35 yard line. This possession was riddled with penalties. Vikings were called for a holding which cost them 10 yards. Three plays later on third and eight Adoree Jackson committed pass interference on a play that would’ve ended the possession. The Vikings marched all the way down to the endzone and scored thanks to a three yard rush by Jones.
Photo via Giants Wire
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings second quarter
Darnold had his best possession of the game in the second quarter. On second and 12 he made a 44 yard pass to Justin Jefferson. A couple plays later he made a 16 yard pass to Jordan Addison. Both of these passes were out of the shotgun formation.
He made two more passes to Addison after that, 13 and six yards respectively. The Vikings got the ball to the three yard line but failed to convert. They went for it on fourth down and got a touchdown on a six yard pass to Justin Jefferson
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings third quarter
The Vikings first possession of the second half didn’t get off to a great start. The Vikings were on third and 16 when Darnold made a nine yard pass to Johnny Mundt. With T.J Hockenson hurt, Mundt stepped up as the starter. A facemask penalty was called on Kayvon Thibodeaux which cost the New York Giants 15 yards and gave the Vikings new life. Jones had a couple good runs, 12 yards and 19 yards respectively. The possession ended on a 21 yard pass from Darnold to wide receiver Jalen Nailor.
Jones made his first of two interceptions in the third quarter. Jones made a throw intended for Wandale Robinson that was intercepted by Andrew Van Ginkel. Jones had attempted to make a pass behind the line of scrimmage but Van Ginkel saw it coming and was able to quickly switch from going for the sack to getting the interception. This was just his third career interception.
Photo via Giants Wire
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings fourth quarter
The fourth quarter was the only quarter that did not see any scoring. The only notable play of the quarter was Jones throwing his second interception. The Giants had started a pretty good offensive set late in the third quarter with Devin Singletary running for 12 yards. Singletary only ran the ball ten times, an interesting decision considering how much Jones struggled to throw. He likely won’t get Saquon Barkley volume but the Giants should consider using the veteran running back more.
On the first play of the fourth quarter Jones made an 11 yard pass to Giants veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton. Jones and Slayton, along with Lawrence are the longest tenured players on the New York Giants. Jones tried to get another pass to Slayton, but this time it was intercepted by Harrison Smith. This interception by Smith was the 35th of his career. Smith has made six pro bowls in his career.
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