May 31, 2023; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings Blake Brandel poses for a photo. Brandel dazzledo onlookers in a Week 1 game versus the New York Giants in 2024, tallying a 91.2 Pro Football Focus Grade. Mandatory Credit: NFL Photos-USA TODAY NETWORK.
The New York Giants were no match for the Minnesota Vikings — none whatsoever — in Week 1, losing to the purple team 28-6 and appearing buffoonish for three hours.
Minnesota climbed to 1-0, sharing a first-place standing, albeit probably temporary, with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.
Several Vikings-themed items stood off the page in Week 1, and these are the top three surprises listed in ascending order.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson won’t return until Week 5 at the earliest — even that return date, a game in London versus the New York Jets, might be too optimistic — and fans wondered how the offense could tick without him.
Well, it went just fine.
Justin Jefferson did not have a customary 100-yard day, but thanks to new running back Aaron Jones, who consistently churned yards at MetLife Stadium, the offense hummed despite Hockenson’s absence and Jefferson’s “quiet” outing. The offense turned the ball over twice, but even then, the enterprise trudged forward. TE2 Josh Oliver looked effective, and the rest of the non-Jefferson pass-catchers held onto the ball.
Eventually, Hockenson’s non-participation will be felt, but not on Sunday.
Darnold leads the NFL in quarterback efficiency per EPA+CPOE and fetched the highest Pro Football Focus grade among quarterbacks in Week 1. The guy played fantastically.
Minnesota’s offense wasn’t beset by too many ruts, which were customary in 2023. Three-and-out drives didn’t ravage the gameplan, and Darnold habitually found receivers downfield, threading the needle along the way.
Many Vikings fans predicted a “reclamation” season for Darnold in 2024, reminiscent of Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay last year. For a week, those people were correct. Darnold was magnificently efficient.
And this all happened while Kirk Cousins played dreadfully down it Atlanta.
You blinked, and Blake Brandel fired up a 91.2 PFF grade in Week 1. What on earth.
Drafted in Round 6 by the Vikings in 2020, Brandel lived on the depth chart for four years as a reserve offensive lineman until the front office and coaching staff nominated him for starting guard duty this offseason. He even took Dalton Risner’s job with little fanfare.
Against one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL, Brandel passed the test — aced it, in fact — and is situated among the NFL’s best offensive linemen per PFF entering Week 2.
When the Vikings signed zero OG free agents in March, it was because they had a Blake Brandel at home.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.