Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants: Week 1 preview and predictions
The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the New York Giants on Sunday, September 8th to kick off the 2024 season. It's an exciting time in the National Football League calendar and we've already seen two games leading up to the Vikings' opener. The game could prove to be a pivotal one for the […]
The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the New York Giants on Sunday, September 8th to kick off the 2024 season. It's an exciting time in the National Football League calendar and we've already seen two games leading up to the Vikings' opener.
The game could prove to be a pivotal one for the Vikings. They have a brutal next four games.
Week 2: vs. San Francisco
Week 3: vs. Houston
Week 4: at Green Bay
Week 5: vs. New York Jets (in London)
If the Vikings want to make the playoffs this season, they will need to set themselves up with a win over the Giants. It's not a doomsday scenario if they lose, but it becomes significantly more difficult if they can't pull it out.
Ahead of Sunday's game, we bring you the ultimate preview for the game on Sunday with everything you need to know.
Preview content
Depth chart
Season in four scenarios
How to watch
Broadcast map
Rostering 3 rookie DL
Captains
Kevin O'Connell talks Giants defense
Offensive bold predictions
Defensive bold predictions
Jefferson talks QB
Final injury report
Who wears the green dot
Game information
Kickoff: 12 p.m. CT
Location: Met Life Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Weather: 69 degrees, 0% precipitation, 11 mph winds
Betting odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: Vikings -2
Over/under: 41.5
Moneyline: Vikings -125, Giants +105
Keys for the Minnesota Vikings
- Minimize Dexter Lawrence
- Convert third downs
- Establish the run
- Contain Daniel Jones in the pocket.
Keys for the New York Giants
- Get pressure on Sam Darnold
- Stop the run
- Get Malik Nabers involved
Prediction
This game is going to be an interesting one for the Vikings. It's also a major unknown for many reasons.
The Vikings will be starting Sam Darnold on Sunday and it could end up being his renaissance. We have seen quarterbacks see a breakthrough once they get the right infrastructure surrounding him. Said infrastructure is there for Darnold and all accounts are he is ready for this opportunity.
The defense needs some real development after allowing 30.0 points per game in their final four on the 2023 season. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is up for the task and seeing how he progresses with the scheme will be a major factor in how the Vikings will perform in 2024.
Week one is always difficult to predict because of a lot of variables. That leads me to looking at the overall talent on each roster. The Vikings are simply the better team and will find a way to get the win.
Prediction: Minnesota 27, New York 21
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