In this segment of “2 Giants Goofballs: A New York Giants Podcast,” Drew and Rob provide an in-depth analysis of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason moves and what they mean for the Giants’ Week 1 matchup. The hosts discuss the Vikings’ significant losses, including the departure of quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Falcons and star pass rusher Danielle Hunter to the Texans. These departures leave the Vikings with a lot of questions, particularly at quarterback, where Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy are set to compete for the starting job.
The conversation shifts to the Vikings’ additions, with a focus on the uncertainty surrounding their quarterback situation and the arrival of Aaron Jones at running back. The hosts express doubts about whether Jones can stay healthy and be a consistent contributor, especially given his recent injury history.
The discussion highlights the Vikings’ struggles in the secondary, which have been exacerbated by the loss of rookie cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to a torn ACL and the tragic death of rookie Khyree Jackson. While the Vikings attempted to bolster their defense by signing former Giant Fabian Moreau, the hosts are skeptical about the overall strength of Minnesota’s secondary.
A key matchup to watch, according to Drew and Rob, is Giants rookie cornerback Deonte Banks versus Vikings superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. They emphasize that this will be a major test for Banks, who will face a gauntlet of elite receivers throughout the season.
The segment wraps up with predictions for the game. Both hosts believe the Giants will pull out a victory, capitalizing on the Vikings’ early-season instability and the challenges of integrating new players. They anticipate the Giants will start the season strong, much like their surprising win over the Titans in 2022. Rob also adds a humorous note about the Vikings’ 100th-anniversary jerseys, which he jokingly suggests could distract the team during the game.
