EAGAN, Minn. -- It was a simple 3-yard run, behind the kind of "duo" blocking scheme Aaron Jones has capitalized on countless times in his NFL career. The Minnesota Vikings' new running back took the handoff from quarterback Sam Darnold and saw a sea of New York Giants defenders clogging the middle. So he bounced outside and outran the defense to the left pylon for a touchdown.
The score gave the Vikings a lead they never relinquished in a 28-6 victory Sunday at MetLife Stadium, one that indicated immediately that the Vikings have opened some of the basic offensive doors that seemed shut for most of the 2023 season.