MINNEAPOLIS — The season couldn't have started much better for the Minnesota Vikings, who dominated the New York Giants in pretty much every phase of Sunday's game.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was brilliant in the first half, completing his first 12 passes, while the defense completely stymied New York's offense by limiting quarterback Daniel Jones and the Giants to just 3.53 yards per play.
Darnold finished his Vikings debut 19 of 24 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but perhaps the most important stat is that he's 1-0.
"For a guy in a new system to start 12-for-12 and be incredibly poised throughout the day, it was a huge performance for us to be able to build off with Sam," said Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell.
However, defense was the major story, especially after Jones carved up the Vikings' secondary back on Jan. 15, 2023, to end Minnesota's season in the first round of the playoffs. On Sunday, the Vikings' defense held New York to just 240 total yards, sacked Jones five times and picked him off twice, including a highlight-reel snag by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel that went for a touchdown.
Patrick Jones II recorded a pair of sacks while Dallas Turner, one of the Vikings' two first round picks back in the spring, became just the second Vikings rookie since 1982 to register a sack in Week 1.
"I don't know what you can say other than it was an unbelievable performance out of that group," said O'Connell.
The Vikings will almost certainly face a tougher test Sunday in their home opener against the defending NFC Champions. Here are some of the major storylines heading into Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Vikings O-line held up in debut
Much of Darnold's success came from a clean pocket as the Vikings offensive line kept him upright for much of the afternoon. He was pressured just six times and sacked only once. The only blemish came when Darnold's arm was hit while attempting to make a pass, resulting in an interception late in the third quarter.
According to Pro Football Focus, Darnold had a 90.6 pass grade when he held the ball longer than 2.5 seconds, the best of any quarterback in the league. If Minnesota's moving company can keep him clean, Darnold and the Vikings could do some damage on Sunday.
"I think there was a big emphasis of everybody being on the same page, communication," said Vikings left guard Blake Brandel. "Those Week 1 games came sometimes get sloppy, so keeping from having those self-inflicted (mistakes), and just everyone kind of being on the same page and doing your own job, and just kind of letting the whole offense as an entirety kind of go to work, I think that was critical."
McCaffrey's injury
San Francisco star running back Christian McCaffrey will miss Sunday's game as he continues to deal with a calf injury and Achilles tendonitis. On Saturday, the 49ers placed him on IR after experiencing pain in practice earlier this week, according to multiple reports.
It's tough news for the 49ers, but they appear a more-than-capable option in Jordan Mason, who ran all over the New York Jets on Monday night. Mason rushed for 147 yards and a score in their season-opener, while also catching a pass for five yards. San Francisco also worked in receiver Deebo Samuel to their rushing attack, giving him eight carries for 23 yards and a score.
Minnesota was solid against the run game in Week 1, holding Giants running back Devin Singletary to just 37 yards on 10 carries, but San Francisco should prove to be a much tougher test.
Addison's ankle
The Vikings ruled receiver Jordan Addison out for Sunday's game after he left last week's game with an ankle injury. The second-year receiver is the team's No. 2 receiving option behind Justin Jefferson and an important part of the passing attack, especially with tight end T.J. Hockenson being on IR.
The Vikings will now turn to Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield Sr. and Trishton Jackson. Nailor emerged this offseason as a reliable target behind Jefferson and Addison, and caught a 21-yard touchdown in the season opener against the Giants. Expect him to see more targets Sunday in Addison's absence.
Darnold's second act
The former No. 3 overall pick had an impressive debut on Sunday, but he'll be going against a defense this weekend that allowed just 17.5 points per game a season ago.
While the 49ers defense lost a few players in the offseason, they've still got plenty of star power in Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Javon Hargrave and Charvarius Ward. The unit held Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets to less than 200 total yards total offense and 13 points on Monday night before quarterback Tyrod Taylor took over in the fourth quarter with the game already decided.
Vikings secondary vs. Brock Purdy
San Francisco had no issues running the ball without McCaffrey on Monday night, but 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had some struggles, albeit going against one of the top cornerbacks in the league in Sauce Gardner. The Vikings secondary did their job against Jones and the Giants, but New York's offense doesn't stack up when looking at the weapons the 49ers possess in the passing game.
Receiver Deebo Samuel is a gamechanger and can do just about everything in San Francisco's offense. On Monday, he caught five passes for 54 yards and rushed the ball eight times for 23 yards and a score. San Francisco also has one of the top tight ends in the league in George Kittle, while receiver Brandon Aiyuk is coming off a 1,300-yard receiving season and recently signed a four-year, $120 million extension.
Minnesota's revamped secondary, led by five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore, will have their hands full in coverage with so many explosive options roaming around the field.
Pressure, pressure and more pressure
Minnesota was relentless against Jones and the Giants on Sunday, combining for five sacks, 12 quarterback hits and two interceptions. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' complex scheme flustered Jones for much of the afternoon, resulting in him completing just 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns.
The biggest factor is that the Vikings were able to generate that pressure despite blitzing at a much lower rate than last season. According to Pro Football Reference, the Vikings blitzed on just 24.5% of the snaps on Sunday, which was substantially lower than last season's league-leading 51.5% blitz rate. If the Vikings can continue to get this type of pressure without blitzing, it opens up a whole new door for Flores and the defense.
Minnesota's ground game
Last season, the Vikings averaged just 4 yards per carry, and found the end zone a mere seven times on the ground. Minnesota finished near the bottom of the league in red zone touchdowns and much of that was due to the ineffective run game near the goal line.
On Sunday, Vikings running back Aaron Jones provided a much more serviceable performance in the ground game, piling up 94 yards on 14 carries. It took him just two drives to find the end zone in the team's first red zone trip of the season.
Minnesota's ground attack is essential in opening up the secondary, so Jones will need to continue to create extra yards if the Vikings are going to be successful moving forward, especially against the 49ers on Sunday.