EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Minnesota Vikings began the year espousing the theory they could return to the playoffs in 2024 by coaxing the best out of quarterback Sam Darnold, building a run game they could trust and making progress on defense behind a deeper group of pass rushers than they had in 2023.

Though they’ll face tougher tests than they got at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, they passed the first one about as comfortably as they could have wished.

They held a 22-point lead — the largest of Kevin O’Connell’s coaching tenure — for most of the fourth quarter on Sunday, finishing with a 28-6 win over the New York Giants for their most lopsided victory since a 39-10 win over the Chargers in 2019. Darnold completed 15 of his first 17 passes through three quarters, finishing 19 of 24 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while the Vikings sacked Daniel Jones five times and hit him 12 times.

Why it happened: The Vikings did exactly what they’d said all summer they planned to do. Jones, who fileted the Vikings’ defense in a playoff performance that got him a four-year, $160 million deal and cost Ed Donatell his job, was flustered by Brian Flores’ pressure schemes throughout the game. Aaron Jones carried 13 times for 93 yards, leading a rushing attack that proved effective throughout the day. And Darnold looked in command, hitting Justin Jefferson with one of the deep throws he’d completed throughout camp and capping off a 99-yard drive with a fourth-down score to Jefferson.

What it means: The win puts the Vikings atop the NFC North to start the year, after they began last season with three straight losses that turned the rest of the season into a scramble. The turnover-laden start to the 2023 season had grated at O’Connell since last year, and it informed much of his training camp messaging to the 2024 Vikings. Things will get tougher with the 49ers and Texans up next, but the Vikings might not have to face Jordan Love in a Week 4 trip to Green Bay.

Play of the game: On the Giants’ first play of a third-quarter drive from their own 17, Andrew Van Ginkel took a soft edge while rushing off the right side of the line, putting himself in perfect position to intercept the screen pass he seemed to know was coming. He stuck one hand in the air to snag the ball just 1.16 seconds after the snap, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, and scored the fourth touchdown of his career on the interception.

Turning point: The Vikings led 7-3 in the second quarter, and took over at their own 1 after forcing a Giants punt. Darnold completed all seven of his passes for 97 yards and a score on the 99-yard drive, the Vikings’ longest since 2008 against Chicago.

Up next: vs. 49ers, Sept. 15, noon

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