Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; General view of a New York Giants helmet prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings will have more than a few problematic games to kick off their season. Of course, they aren’t expected to be much of a threat this season. Projected to be well below .500, they’ll be the underdog in most contests. That makes it no less important that they start with a soft opponent.
The New York Giants are not a great team, and their expectations shouldn’t be high in 2024, either. Daniel Jones is still making the franchise pay for believing in him after Ed Donatell’s defense turned him into a superstar. Jones was a potential quarterback to be replaced this offseason, with New York considering a first-round draft pick. That didn’t happen, but he also heard the chatter.
Brian Daboll’s quarterback has a very short leash to make things work this year. Brian Flores can bring a significant challenge to him during Week 1, and getting Jones uncomfortable right out of the gate is a must. Realistically speaking, the combination of New York’s quarterback and Minnesota’s defense presents an ideal opportunity for Kevin O’Connell’s squad.
Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are a stout rushing tandem up front for the Giants. Sam Darnold will quickly be tested, but the New York defense gives him an opportunity for a soft landing spot. He has seen the franchise previously during his time with the Jets, and playing in the best situation of his career, there’s a chance for him to build momentum quickly.
The Vikings would probably prefer to kick their season off at home, but the opponent makes this outcome work. Welcoming a pair of potential playoff teams in the form of San Francisco and Houston in Week 2 and 3, a team like New York gives them a chance to iron out some kinks.
Preseason performance doesn’t guarantee future success. O’Connell did experience three straight wins during the exhibition slate, though, and more than a few of his expected contributors got some real run. The Vikings need to see consistent performance from the players on the fringes of their roster.
Everything hinges on Darnold’s and the defense’s performance out of the gate. It is a welcomed reality to be able to square off against a team not projected to be a juggernaut.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.