Sam Darnold shines in Vikings debut as Giants fall flat

Field Level Media|published: Sun 8th September, 16:18 2024

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Sam Darnold completed 19 of 24 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away for a 28-6 season-opening win over the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J.

Aaron Jones had 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota. Justin Jefferson added four catches for 59 yards and a score.

Daniel Jones completed 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions for New York. Giants first-round pick Malik Nabers caught five passes for 66 yards in his NFL debut.

The Vikings outgained the Giants 312-240.

New York fans booed Jones and his teammates after turnovers and stalled drives in the second half. Jones finished with a 44.3 passer rating, compared with Darnold's 113.2.

The Giants opened the scoring with a 23-yard field goal by Graham Gano midway through the first quarter.

Minnesota pulled in front 7-3 with 3:56 left in the first quarter. Jones scampered left for a 3-yard touchdown run in his first game since joining the rival Vikings after a seven-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers.

Jefferson hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass to increase the Vikings' lead to 14-3 with 6:58 to go in the first half, capping an 11-play, 99-yard drive that lasted nearly seven minutes. It marked the first score for the star wideout since he signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension in the offseason.

Minnesota made it 21-3 on the opening drive of the second half. Darnold connected with Jalen Nailor for a 21-yard touchdown.

Gano drilled a 50-yard field goal to cut the Giants' deficit to 21-6 midway through the third.

The Vikings' defense got on the scoreboard with 4:26 remaining in the third. Andrew Van Ginkel picked off a pass by Jones and returned it 10 yards into the end zone to make it 28-6.

Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison left the game in the third because of an ankle injury and did not return. He finished with three catches for 35 yards, all on the drive that led to Jefferson's TD.

--Field Level Media

Latest