If you’re a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, you’re probably a happy fan right now. The Minnesota Vikings trounced the New York Giants today and it was never really close. The Vikings dominated both sides of the ball for basically the entire game. Sam Darnold was as sharp as a tack, while the defense made Daniel Jones look as sharp as a bowling ball. This game was a lot of fun to watch. Final score was 28-6 Vikings.
Offense
The biggest off-season changes to the Vikings offense was at the quarterback and running back positions. After moving on from Kirk Cousins in the off-season, the team brought in Sam Darnold. Darnold was a 2018 high draft pick (3rd overall) who hadn’t had much luck at his first two stops in the NFL, then finished last season as a backup in San Francisco. If this game is any indication, he found a home, somewhere where he can thrive. Darnold finished the game 19/24 for 208 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The lone INT came toward the end of the game on a tipped ball, so his fault but at least not a horrible decision INT, which is far worse, IMO.
Aaron Jones is the new feature back for the Vikings, with Chandler listed as the RB2. The running game appeared MUCH more effective than it had been the past couple years, and the results are as ecpected. The threat of a rushing attack forced the defense to account for the RB, which opened up room for the Vikings WRs to roam. Aaron Jones took the ball in the last few minutes and ground the clock down for the team, this is something we haven’t had in quite a while. Jones carried 14 times for 94 yards for an amazing 6.7 Y/C along with a TD.
Defense
After Danielle Hunter left in free agency, the Vikings used this year to do a lot of shuffling on their defense. They added Dallas Turner in the draft, and Van Ginkel and Greenard, among others, via free agency and/or trade. Again, if today’s performance is ny indication, the front office was successful in their defensive overhaul. The defense harassed Daniel Jones all day, and had him looking uncertain and uncomfortable in the pocket.
Van Ginkel added a pick 6 on a screen pass near the goal line. Dallas Turner recorded the first sack of his NFL career (obviously becuase this was his first NFL game), and the Vikings D-line looked much more effective than they did at any point last year.
The defense essentially held the Giants offense to 6 points.
Some other notes from the game
- Jonathan Vilma gets an F for getting on my nerves. I went to the garage & watched on mute after about 2 minutes
There were far too many flags in this game, some legit, many not. Bad calls went both ways
As of this writing, I have no further news on Jordan Addison’s ankle injury, let’s hope it isn’t serious
All in all, this was a fun game to watch if you’re a Vikings fan. I know it’s only one game, but it’s a far cry better than getting beat and having to hold out hope that the one game was a fluke. We’ve had plenty of reasons to gripe over the years, so let’s enjoy these games when we can be happy about our team’s performance. SKOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Skol Brothers and Sisters, What a fun Sunday from top to bottom. Vikes kicked ass, had a run game and defense was as advertised, Darnold doing what Kwerk can do in spades and for $30+ million a year cheaper and that Circus in Atlanta (which I called months ago btw, no one here would take my bet) was just pure comedy. No tears in my beer from the porch this Sunday 🙂 SKOL
They have to do something about the kickoff. It is kind of pointless as it is.
Yes. For sure. Everyone still just taking the touchback.
So stupid, asking a kicker to drop one at 1 yard line? Do away with kickoff. Point at 25 . JMO.
Like Sam’s play. Overall a good game across the board. Not sure how much of a barometer gnats are but it’s a win. Really looking forward to next week.
All you can do is win the games you’re supposed to and go from there and for once they did that without a question in the 4th quarter
I’m rewatching Dexter series, I just seen a clip of Greg Olson doing comentary at ATL game. damn he is Dexter.
Cousins sucks. He’s the Trump of NFL QBs.
Thank God he ain’t sniffer or world salad.
I’m pissed at myself for voting for Bush Jr. The more I learn, the more I despise him, he’s evil.
I didn’t vote for Bush Sr. I was in basic at the time, that was the first election I voted in, voted for Perot.
You should join the daily thread more 🙂
Let’s go Rams!!!!
Watson/Cousins. Working out well so far.
Tough day for Stefanski so far. Like to hear a Kirk presser.
My guess: “Ah shucks, ya’ see, I ran the play as it was called & that’s what we had. Golly.”
Heard cry baby wasn’t to great today?
He wasn’t. But a win is a win.
14/29. 93 yards.
Twins swept. Done with BB.
Oh yea I was done a month ago. Its football time baby! Let the Twins die in peace!
Next up, SF after a Monday nighter traveling to MN. This will be close. 2-0 is possible skoloholes.
Zimmer D kicking some ass. Next Cowpie coach?
Yep. Jerrah likes to do weirdo.
#ZimmerWasRIght
Must win if you want a +500 record. Doubt we will be favored anytime soon.
Win the games you’re supposed to is the first step and they succeeded. Now win some you’re not and you’re in it
Like Flores, the anti Donatell.
Amen
Brady as a broadcaster is underwhelming so far…..
Way to low keyish.
Yup, not impressed. Romo was moar fun.
Romo is still on CBS.
I assume you meant Greg Olsen.
Meant Romo is better, more entertaining. Worded that badly.
Yep. Romo better. But I’m not a huge of Romo either.
Think he will get better, needs reps.
Probably. They paid him $400 million or something, so he better get better.
If you miss the Kirko debate.
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2024/9/8/24237818/falcons-steelers-instant-recap-a-season-opening-embarrassment-kirk-cousins-justin-fields#comments
Is there a “NewFalconsFan” over there saying “new offense, new coordinator, blah, blah, blah”?
🤣😂😆
NLNFF is probably it. “Been cheering for the Falcons since the 70s”
I might have found him!
This was hilarious
Lol they are making the excuse that Kirk isnt 100% healthy over there when he played exactly like he always has, he just doesn’t have a legit OC and weapons to hold his hand over there. Everything looked par for the course upon my viewing. Falcons fans are in for a rude wake up if they thought they were getting a top 10 Vet QB. They’re paying out the ass for a mid tier starting QB with less weapons than his previous team. Oofta.
Only got to hear some of the game on the radio but it sounded good. Didn’t sound like a drop off at QB and the defense sounded pretty solid. Can’t wait for JJ.
How did Turner do? I had to listen to the giants broadcast so they didn’t say names on tackle and sacks and such.
Got his first career sack, made the most of the opportunities he got I’d say. Darnold looked very good, Aaron Jones ran like a man possessed, the defense looked outright dominant (vs the gnats, but still).
Great game all around, good and well deserved win. Some hope for this season, after all.
‘vs the gnats, but still’
A 180 from the last time we played them.
Definitely.
I’d say average. First game. Rookie.
The Hopium is high after this game. Yes, it is the Giants and Daniel Jones looked horrible. But, was some of his looking horrible due to the Vikings defense?
This was a very fun game to watch, a dominant performance by the Vikings.
Darnold was much better than feared, Aaron Jones is a beast, defense aggressive and relentless, the team looked well prepared, motivated and came ready to play.
Fine start to the season, hope the Vikes can continue what they showed today. SKOL!
We done good, albeit against a poor team.
Sam looked like a very capable QB, given protection. Could be KC2.0. Able to control the game and make plays given time. We have a good RB tandem to compliment a great WR corps. Many things for a defense to watch, and when Hock comes back, watch out. They can’t cover everyone.
Defense looks decent. DBs appear much more competent than past years, we have an aggressive pass rush, and some run stuffers. This D can be dominant.
QB play…. protect Darnold and he will keep JJ on the bench for some time. Sam has a cannon, touch, and showed why he was a 1st round pick. We’re in a good position with those 2.
Anti curse kicker?? Is it possible that the Vikings can solve kicking woes? Will continue to hold my breath and keep fingers crossed, but as long as we keep scoring TDs things will be good.
‘as long as we keep scoring TDs things will be good’
Winning/success cures all.
WooHoo! Good game!
SKOL!
We are currently leading our division.
And First
First auto rec
The purple koolaid is flowing