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VIKINGS 28

GIANTS 6

Coming into this season, it felt like the Vikings were assured to be looking up in the division at better teams, with more hope. Obviously, it's never impossible to make the playoffs, but for this Vikings team it seemed like a longshot.

After one afternoon it no longer feels like a longshot.

At Met Life Stadium on Sunday, the Vikings displayed the template for what they could do, what they have to do, to not just compete this season but make it pretty fun. They absolutely demolished the Giants in a 28-6 game that really wasn't even that close. 

All eyes on Sam Darnold, who went from being a very temporary bridge QB to being the guy for this whole season.

His 1st drive was a disaster, though not due to him. Ed Ingram whiffed on a block and got Sam sacked. Then CJ Ham fumbled the ball right to the Giants. A 1st drive turnover following a season where we did this a lot. Not again. 

But nothing squashes momentum like holding a team after a big turnover. The defense only gave up one first down and then a field goal.

And the offense got going after the field goal. Jordan Addison drew a big DPI flag, Sam threw a dart to Josh Oliver. And then our new running back Aaron Jones ran it in, by busting a run outside and sprinting to the pylon. Just a short run, but the way Jones was able to sprint outside was such a breath of fresh air after watching slow ass Alexander Mattison get tackled for losses all last year.

The next offensive series was a statement. The Giants skillfully downed a punt at the 1. And the Vikings responded by putting together a 99-yard drive, their first since 2008 (which was the Gus Frerotte-Bernard Berrian one play bomb). Darnold finally connected with Justin Jefferson on a deep shot. A few more nice throws got them deep.

Then on 4th and goal at the 2, KOC decided to go for it, and Sam hit JJ on a quick slant to get the touchdown. 

 

The Giants offense was being manhandled by Brian Flores's defense. You could tell very quickly that Daniel Jones was completely rattled by the pass rush. He was throwing wildly inaccurate passes. He did get put on the ground a couple of times (Dallas Turner engulfed him for his 1st career sack). 

The Vikings took their 1st possession of the 2nd half and drove to the endzone again. A face mask penalty gave us a 1st down. Aaron Jones busted a couple of big runs. And then Darnold zipped a rope to Jalen Nailor along the sideline for the score.

This was a most un-stressful Vikings game. Only during a brief 3rd quarter lapse did it look like maybe we were going to let the Giants have some hope.

But then that hope was snuffed out in a blink and you'll miss it pick six in the shadow of the endzone by Andrew Van Ginkel. Dagger. 28-6.

Even Brian Daboll seemed to waive the white flag. The Giants' 4th quarter drives were not exactly quickly paced. It indicated he knew the Giants were cooked.

Harrison Smith got an endzone pick. Byron Murphy broke up a 4th down redzone pass. Even in garbage time, this defense didn't just concede a touchdown. And they had the New York fans booing early and often. 

We had a pass rush! And we didn't need to blitz every play to get it! 

The team speed we have now is like nothing I have ever seen here. Defenders were flying all over the field. Everybody was contributing. We still had some leaks in the secondary, but even there, this was literally Stephon Gilmore's 1st game action here, and Shaq Griffin missed all preseason. That defense gave up 6 points and could get better.

Darnold had modest stats. He did have one pick that wasn't really his fault, and he misfired on a few throws. But he started 12 for 12, and was very efficient. Modest games from the receiving core, too, and Addison did get hurt. The run game was very good, with Jones and some Ty Chandler action. And after the early sack, the line kept Darnold clean.

This was a supremely encouraging game. And yes, we faced one of the worst teams we will face all year. But this was the most lopsided win we've had in 5 years. And it's important to know that this team has this in them. Tougher competition looms, but this team CAN play at elite levels.

This is how they can win games. I don't see Darnold becoming a late-arriving superstar, but if you can group some efficient QB play, with a good run game and a strong defense that can truly get after the QB and get some turnovers, the Vikings can actually be more than just an occasional pest this season. They can be a legitimately good team.