The Minnesota Vikings secured a 28-6 win over the New York Giants on Sunday thanks in large part to splashy plays and an efficient performance from quarterback Sam Darnold. But there were also some under-appreciated statistical accomplishments in the game.
Let them go underrated no longer! Here is a look at three statistics that stood out but aren’t being talked about enough from the Vikings’ season-opening win.
Vikings’ Win Told by the Numbers
Justin Jefferson Scored but Sam Darnold Found Other Ways
Stat: Six targets, four receptions, 59 yards, one touchdown for Justin Jefferson
Not many teams rely on their main offensive weapon more than the Vikings rely on Justin Jefferson. Since Jefferson entered the NFL in 2020, he ranks fourth in targets (582), second in receiving yards (5,958) and sixth in receptions (398). On Sunday, though, the Vikings made a seemingly concerted effort to diversify the offensive attack.
And it worked.
Jefferson still led Minnesota in targets with six, but that is a decrease from his career average of 9.5 targets per game. Running backs combined for seven targets on the day, Jordan Addison was targeted four times before leaving with an injury, and tight ends accounted for five of 23 targets in the game.
It should also be noted that despite not being given his typical share of targets, Jefferson was still able to make a major impact. His touchdown was a pivotal moment in the game because it came on 4th-and-2 from the Giants’ 3-yard line, giving the Vikings a 14-3 lead late in the first half.
Patrick Jones II Took Down Daniel Jones Twice
Stat: 2.0 sacks for Patrick Jones III
Jonathan Greenard was a marquee free agent signing. Dallas Turner was acquired with a first-round pick and flashed all spring and summer. And Andrew Van Ginkel stole the show with a sack and a pick-six on Sunday.
Yet, it might actually be Patrick Jones II who Daniel Jones sees in his nightmares the rest of this week.
Jones II may not have his jersey being sold in team stores, but he’s proving to be a valuable piece to Minnesota’s defensive puzzle. He played in 48% of the defensive snaps against the Giants and tallied a team-high two sacks with those opportunities. Jones also had two other tackles on the day.
Perfection in Short-Yardage, Backed-Up Situations
Stat: Vikings’ red-zone efficiency: 2 for 2 | Goal-to-go efficiency: 1 for 1
Situational football is something head coaches preach about to their teams and any time they’re at a podium taking questions from reporters. Head coach Kevin O’Connell will have some good tape to review with his team this week following Sunday’s game.
The Vikings on Sunday were perfect in the red zone and in goal-to-go situations. Minnesota’s red-zone conversions were both from the Giants’ 3-yard line, with Aaron Jones sprinting off left tackle for a score on 3rd-and-2 and Jefferson hauling in a laser from Darnold on 4th-and-2.
In three other short-yardage downs (three or fewer yards to go), the Vikings generated conversions each time — and all of them were rushing attempts.
Then, in what turned out to be a turning point in the game, the Vikings dug themselves out of a hole in the second quarter. Following a Giants’ punt, Minnesota began its first possession of the second quarter from their own 1-yard line. Here was their sequence of plays:
- Ty Chandler one-yard rush
- Chandler 10-yard reception
- Holding penalty
- Chandler three-yard rush
- Jefferson 44-yard reception
The Vikings concluded that drive with the fourth-down touchdown to Jefferson, capping an 11-play, 99-yard drive that resulted in a 14-3 lead.