Giants vs Vikings Week 4: Highlights, score and recap

In another dominant defensive performance, the Minnesota Vikings moved to a perfect 4-0 with a win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

Make no mistake about it, the Minnesota Vikings are most definitely for real. To move to an impressive 4-0 on the season, the Vikings defeated the New York Giants by a score of 24-10 on Monday night.

The Vikings took an early lead in this game. They scored on their first drive of the game, after a muffed punt by Giants returner Dwayne Harris gave them a second chance. Vikings running back Matt Asiata led off the scoring with a one-yard touchdown plunge early in the first quarter.

After trading a few punts, Sam Bradford was able to lead the Vikings on another scoring drive in the second quarter. Running back Jerick McKinnon and wide receiver Adam Thielen paced the Vikings on that drive, but it was eventually capped off by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Bradford to tight end Kyle Rudolph.

The Giants were able to put together a late first half drive that resulted in a field goal, but they faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge being down 14-3 at half against this loaded Vikings’ defense.

Trying to get star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. involved in the second half, Eli Manning threw an early second half interception to Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Manning never really looked comfortable against the attacking Vikings’ defense, and Rhodes was able to shut down Beckham.

The Giants were able to reach the endzone early in the fourth quarter, on a one-yard touchdown run by Orleans Darkwa. A 67 yard catch-and-run by rookie running back Paul Perkins was the big play on that drive.

That touchdown drive gave the Giants some life, as they only trailed the Vikings by a score of 17-10 at the time. However, Bradford led the Vikings’ offense right back down the field for another touchdown drive.

McKinnon scored this time, on a four-yard run.

The Vikings were in control of this game throughout and are undoubtedly one of the premier teams in the NFC. The Giants are still an extremely talented team, but they are not currently Superbowl contenders.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/783117511290032128

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Three Stars

Xavier Rhodes: With rookie wide receiver Sterling Shepard and veteran Victor Cruz emerging, Manning has some nice options in the passing game. However, this offense still depends heavily on Odell Beckham. They go as he goes.

Xavier Rhodes was matched up on Beckham in this game and he pretty much shut him out. Rhodes is a big and physical corner who gave Beckham fits throughout this game. Manning targeted Beckham a game-leading nine times, but Beckham only had three receptions for 23 yards.

Rhodes got in Beckham’s head by being physical with him early, and the Giants’ star receiver struggled to get anything going in this game. Rhodes is a top-notch player at the cornerback position and he showed up in a big way on Monday night.

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Sam Bradford: After losing Teddy Bridgewater for the year before the season, the Vikings made Sam Bradford a priority. Giving up a first round pick and more for Bradford seemed crazy at the time, but Bradford continues to lead a successful Vikings’ offensive attack.

Bradford is not putting up huge numbers, but he is playing well enough to win games. The Vikings are led by an incredible defensive unit, but Bradford was once again a major part of their success.

Against a Giants defense who had played well coming into this one, Bradford completed 26 of 36 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown. Bradford is playing at an extremely high level right now.

Jerick McKinnon: An honorable mention to TE Kyle Rudolph here, but Jerick McKinnon’s great play in this game gives him the edge. McKinnon is an extremely quick an elusive back who is playing well in the absence of Adrian Peterson.

McKinnon had been perceived to be in a major time share with Matt Asiata with Peterson out, but it was the younger McKinnon who paced the Vikings’ offense on Monday. Both guys reached the end zone, but McKinnon carried the ball 17 times compared to six times for Asiata.

With 82 yards on 17 carries, McKinnon was arguably the biggest offensive weapon for the Vikings’ on Monday night. He continues to play great for this team.

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Next Week

In Week 5 of the NFL season, the Vikings will play host the Houston Texans. The Giants travel to Lambeau to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.