Daniel Jones and Adoree Jackson led the way for a New York Giants upset win over the NFC North Division Champion Minnesota Vikings. Let’s reflect on what is the first Giants playoff win since 2011 and the official end of the infamous and ridiculous boat picture curse of 2016.
The Giants Offense Suddenly Looks Dangerous
You will have to forgive this writer for writing this with an ounce of skepticism but certainly more optimism than in weeks, months and seasons past. Daniel Jones and the Giants passing offense was prolific. Jones hit on 69% of his passes for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Isaiah Hodgins led the team in receiving (8 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown) and looks more and more like a long term solution at wide receiver.
Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones ripped through the Vikings defense for 131 yards on 26 carries with 2 touchdowns.
It’s important to understand that the Vikings defense is one of the worst in the NFL and next on the slate is a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has allowed the lowest number of passing yards this season. Overall the Eagles defense ranks 15th in the NFL. This offense should be able to score some points in the divisional round of the playoffs but Darius Slay and James Bradbury could make things rough for Daniel Jones and the Giants offense.
The Giants Defense survived the Vikings Offense
The need for Adoree Jackson to play well in his return from injury was mentioned in the Keys to a Giants Victory article posted a few days ago. How did Jackson respond to being back in the lineup for the first time since week 11? Wink Martindale schemed around Jackson and held the dangerous and explosive Justin Jefferson to 7 receptions for 47 yards.
TJ Hockenson still made the Giants defense look silly at times. However the Giants defense turned what was Jefferson and Hockenson going off for 242 yards on 25 receptions with 3 TDs in the week 16 game against the Vikings into 17 receptions for 176 yards and more importantly zero touchdowns on wild card weekend.
The Giants defense bent and even broke at times but this unit won the battle this week.
The Divisional round of the playoffs will see the Giants face the Eagles for the 3rd time this season. The Eagles offense is currently ranked 3rd in the NFL and the Giants have already lost to the Eagles twice. This defense will have their hands full with an offense that has weapons at every level and boasts an elite offensive line.
Final Thoughts
This Wildcard win adds another layer of excitement to what has already been an unexpected but stellar 2022 Giants season. Daniel Jones is my Offensive Player of the Game for his explosive performance through the air and on the ground. Adoree Jackson takes home the Defensive Player of the Game for helping to shut down Justin Jefferson.
Go Big Blue!