Vikings - Giants

The Minnesota Vikings opened the 2024 season with a comfortable 28-6 road win over the New York Giants. If there was any anxious feelings, it was the Vikings uncanny recent history of making every game close. It feels like years since they had a comfortable end to a game. 

It was Minnesota’s first win by 17 or more points in five years. 

As comfortable as this win ended up being, it didn’t start that way. This game started like many of the losses started last year. With a Vikings fumble. On their third offensive play, C.J. Ham fumbled. Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke recovered at the Vikings 20-yard line. The defense held the Giants to a field goal. The defense were just getting started. 

The Vikings offense was consistent and efficient. The Vikings defense was the difference. They were dominant. 

No touchdowns

3.5 yards/play

Two interceptions

1 pick-six

5 sacks

The Giants offense might not be very good right now. We’ll know better when they play a different defense. The Vikings defense made the Giants offense look terrible. 

The Vikings defense was the difference in this game. The Vikings offense played well. Sam Darnold played well. He completed the first twelve passes he attempted. For the game:

19/24

208 yards

2 touchdowns

Darnold did throw one interception. It was hardly his fault as Dexter Lawrence hit his arm as the ball was released. The ball fluttered downfield, Trent Sherfield Sr wasn’t able to make a play on the ball, Darius Muasau caught the freebie. Speaking of Lawrence, he was a game-long menace. He always is. 

The Vikings may have won this game on their second-quarter, 11-play, 99-yard touchdown drive. Leading 7-3, they were pinned at their own one-yard line after a brilliant Giants punt and special teams play. The Vikings simply rolled down the field. The big play was a beautiful 44-yard Darnold pass to Justin Jefferson. The rest was a pleasant blend of run and pass. The Vikings completed the 99-yard drive with a three-yard Darnold to Jefferson touchdown pass on fourth-and-two. 14-3 Vikings. 

The Giants looked deflated. 

The Vikings opened the second-half with another strong touchdown drive. Darnold hit Jalen Nailor for the 21-yard score.

The Vikings offense may have won the game with the impressive 99-yard touchdown drive. The defense sealed the game late in the third quarter. Andrew Van Ginkel intercepted Daniel Jones and returned it ten yards for a touchdown. The suddenness of the play was startling. 28-6 Vikings. The Giants fans slowly departed and a road game started to sound more like a home game. The Skol Chants were easily heard. 

Really, the only negative to come out of this game was Jordan Addison’s injured ankle. Hopefully, it doesn’t sideline him.

Soon after Ham’s fumble, it was clear that the Vikings were the better team. So often in recent years the Vikings have played down to an inferior opponent. This was a strong, comfortable start to the season. After seasons filled with nail-biting, close games, it was nice to finally see kneel-downs end a win. Now, it’s on to Week 2 and a significant step up in competition. Next week, the San Francisco 49ers come to Minnesota. They may be feeling salty about the one the Vikings took from them last season. 

1-0. Skol!