WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
The Shane Bowen era started with a takeaway. It helps when a defensive coordinator has two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who sacked Sam Darnold on the Vikings’ opening drive. It set up a third-and-16 at the Minnesota 9, where a rookie took over. Starting nickel cornerback Dru Phillips, a third-round pick from Kentucky, stripped the ball from fullback C.J. Ham, and linebacker Bobby Okereke recovered the fumble at the Vikings 20. The Giants, who were tied for the NFL lead in takeaways a year ago, kicked a field goal on the ensuing possession for the first points of the 100th season.
Despite the hot start from the Giants’ defense, Darnold still completed his first 12 passes for 145 yards, including a short touchdown to Justin Jefferson to put the Vikings ahead 14-3 midway through the second quarter. The All-Pro receiver also had a 44-yard catch on the drive, which spanned 99 yards on 11 plays and nearly seven minutes.
Phillips wasn’t the only rookie to have his hand in a takeaway. Linebacker Darius Muasau, a sixth-rounder from UCLA who started on Sunday, intercepted a pass that was tipped high in the air by a charging Lawrence near the end of the third quarter.
Tyler Nubin, another rookie, started at safety alongside Jason Pinnock. Nubin and Muasau tied for the team lead with seven tackles (five solo).
Eight days after he made his return to the team, veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson was called for passing interference that resulted in a 36-yard penalty in the first half, setting up a first down at the Giants 27 in the first quarter. Three plays later, Aaron Jones got the edge on a three-yard touchdown run for Minnesota.
On Saturday, the Giants activated linebackers Carter Coughlin and Ty Summers (standard elevation) from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Curtis Bolton, another linebacker, was released.
Coughlin initially left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. It was later updated to a pectoral issue and he was downgraded to out.
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