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Behind Enemy Lines: Week 1 Q&A with Vikings Wire

dan benton
·3 min read
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The New York Giants (0-0) and Minnesota Vikings (0-0) will square off on Sunday afternoon in a Week 1 matchup at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Giants opened the week as 1-point road underdogs and that spread has gotten slightly worse in recent days with Minnesota now -1.5 as of this writing.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Vikings Wire managing editor Andrew Harbaugh.

With J.J. Mccarthy out for the season and new running backs in the fold, what is the identity of the Vikings' offense, led by quarterback Sam Darnold?

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass as running back Ty Chandler (32) blocks during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass as running back Ty Chandler (32) blocks during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Harbaugh: I think the Vikings will start every game trying to establish the run, but if that fails, the passing attack will take over. Aaron Jones has been hyped all camp that he will be refreshed and energized, but I am always hesitant to be excited about a running back when a team cuts him. Regarding the passing attack, I think they try to get Justin Jefferson 10-15 targets and take advantage of the Giants' cornerback position when all else fails.

Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns: How will the Vikings handle the Big 3?

Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) is tackled by New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) and defensive end Leonard Williams (bottom) during the second quarter of a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) is tackled by New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) and defensive end Leonard Williams (bottom) during the second quarter of a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings' offensive line is one of the best in the entire NFL. I truly believe it is a top-five group in the league, so this will be very interesting to see play out. If there is one spot to take advantage of, it will be the guards, and that is where I think Dexter Lawrence can make an impact and stunt the Vikings' running game.

With Danielle Hunter now in Houston, what are your expectations for the Vikes' revamped pass rush?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Dallas Turner #15 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes the line of scrimmage during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Dallas Turner #15 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes the line of scrimmage during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

The Vikings lost Danielle Hunter but gained Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and drafted Dallas Turner in the first round of April's draft. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did his best Moneyball approach to the position by not replacing Hunter and his sack production with one player but three. In the same process, he now has efficient pass rushers on both sides of the edge instead of just one.

Are there any lingering concerns at cornerback or did the addition of Stephon Gilmore shore things up?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 08: Malik Nabers #9 of the New York Giants warms up before a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 08: Malik Nabers #9 of the New York Giants warms up before a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

The cornerback position is still very much a concern for the Vikings even if people are unrealistic with their expectations. Bryon Murphy Jr. is efficient in the nickel spot, but outside, it lacks any sort of consistency. I worry about what Malik Nabers will be able to do against them but it will be a good measuring stick for how reliable they will be in 2024.

Let's hear some predictions. Who wins on Sunday and what's the score?

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 15: Irv Smith Jr. #84 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 15: Irv Smith Jr. #84 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

I honestly could see this going either way for the Vikings or Giants. It will be a gross game, and I am not talking about the Giants' uniforms. Lots of turnovers and disappointing quarterback play, but we will get some flash plays to keep us on the edge of our seats. I see the Vikings edging out a win with a final score of 24-17, but I could easily see that being reversed and the Giants winning the same way. Godspeed Giants fans, we are in this together!

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Week 1 Q&A with Vikings Wire