Vikings Dismantle Giants 28-6

Darnold, defense and Jones = blowout win

The Minnesota Vikings started their 2024 campaign with a convincing road win against the New York Giants, 28-6. It was the largest margin of victory for the Vikings in the Kevin O’Connell era and since 2019.

It was a slow start for the Vikings offensively, with Ed Ingram giving up a sack on the first series and C.J. Ham losing a fumble deep in plus territory for the Giants. But the Vikings’ defense held the Giants to a field goal while the offense drove for a touchdown on the subsequent drive to take the lead 7-3.

And the Vikings never looked back.

The Vikings defense held the Giants to just 240 yards and 3.5 yards per play. They also generated two takeaways and as many points as the Giants offense.

Solid Offense After Initial Sputter

Offensively, Sam Darnold completed his first twelve passes en route to a 19/24 for 208 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and a 113.2 passer rating. His lone interception was not his fault, coming on a play when Dexter Lawrence got his hand on Darnold’s bicep as he was throwing, leading to a pop-fly that was intercepted. Darnold’s adjusted completion percentage (on-target throws not including drops or throwaways) was 83.3% – one of his best games for accuracy.

Aaron Jones also made a positive debut as a Viking, with 14 carries for 94 yards (6.7 yard average) and a touchdown. Jones had a few chunk plays but was also impressive later in the game making something out of nothing on several carries.

The offensive line had a mixed, and overall mediocre performance. Sam Darnold was pressured on 42.3% of his drop backs- not good. Ed Ingram gave up 7 of the 14 pressures allowed, while Garrett Bradbury gave up five pressures. Ingram and Bradbury got the brunt of top defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, which explains some of their difficulties. But Ingram in particular did not perform well. By contrast, Blake Brandel had a clean slate (no pressures allowed) in pass protection in his debut as a starter. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill allowed just one pressure each against Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Defensive Dominance

Defensively, Andrew Van Ginkel had a tremendous pick six on a Daniel Jones screen pass to highlight a dominant performance. Another key defensively was not allowing a touchdown in three red zone opportunities for the Giants. One of those stops was an interception by Harrison Smith in the end zone.

The Vikings pass defense overall was also impressive. The Vikings allowed just over 100 yards passing before garbage time. Daniel Jones finished just 22/42 for 166 yards, 2 INTs, 5 sacks, and a 44.3 passer rating. Jones was forced to hold the ball and/or check down many times. Giants receivers had multiple drops, but coverage was generally tighter before more of a prevent defense in garbage time.

The Vikings also had 23 quarterback pressures on 42 Giants drop backs, led by Jonathan Greenard, Ivan Pace Jr., and Jihad Ward with four each. Jerry Tillery had three, one of which resulted in a holding penalty on the Giants. Standouts in terms of pass rush win rate were Jihad Ward (14.8%), Ivan Pace Jr. (14.3%), and Jerry Tillery (10%).

Bottom Line

The Vikings beat a bad Giants team convincingly on the road to start their season. That may raise a few eyebrows nationally among pundits and football fans that have written the Vikings off as also-rans this season.

But beating the 49ers at home next weekend would go a long way toward changing the narrative on the Vikings season prospects.

Stay tuned.

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