Last week marked the official return of football to the Meadowlands region, as the New York Giants took on the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets faced the San Francisco 49ers in a primetime matchup. While the games didn’t turn out as hoped for either team, it is still early in the year.
Minnesota Vikings Defeat the Giants 28-6
The game started hot for the Giants, who recorded a turnover on their first defensive possession courtesy of a fumble recovery from Bobby Okoreke. The turnover led the Giants to score an easy field goal, opening the scoring for the game and taking a 3-0 lead. The Vikings instantly responded, however, scoring touchdowns on back-to-back drives to take a 14-3 lead.
As the game progressed, the Vikings extended their lead, thanks to a phenomenal performance from former NY Jet Sam Darnold. As the game reached its conclusion, many felt concerned for the remainder of the Giants’ game following last week’s performance, however many bright spots shone.
The biggest takeaway from the game for the Giants was that rookie WR Malik Nabers has the potential to be a cornerstone for the franchise and one of the best receivers the team has ever had. Nabers recorded 66 yards on 5 receptions, which made him the team’s leading receiver. As time passes and he becomes more familiar with the team and gains experience, it is not far-fetched to think he could be an elite talent in the NFL.
New York Jets Fall 32-19 to the 49ers on Monday Night Football
The Jets closed out the first week of the NFL season, taking on the San Francisco 49ers in a primetime matchup. This marked the team’s second consecutive time playing a Monday Night Football game on the first week of the season, with the Jets defeating the Bills in overtime last year on Week 1. However, the main takeaway of that game was Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury.
Rodgers made his return to the team in Monday’s matchup, his first time playing the majority of a game in a Jets uniform. The game opened up well for the Jets, who got a 7-3 lead in the first quarter thanks to a Breece Hall touchdown. But after the 49ers put up 23 unanswered points, the Jets found themselves down 26-7.
The Jets found the endzone once again to salvage the game’s hope, as Aaron Rodgers recorded his first touchdown as a New York Jet on a 36-yard pass to longtime teammate Allen Lazard. However, the Jets were unable to stage a comeback and wound up falling 32-19 to the reigning NFC champions.
What to Look For Next Week
Next week, both teams will be traveling away from the Meadowlands, leaving MetLife Stadium vacant on Sunday. The Jets will be traveling to Tennessee to take on the Titans, in a matchup that they are heavily favored in. By all measures of the game, it seems very likely that the Jets will enter the win column this Sunday, which would be Aaron Rodgers’ first with the team.
The Giants will travel to Washington D.C. to take on the Commanders, a divisional rival, in a matchup that could go either way. The Giants have dominated the Commanders in recent years, but so early into the season, anything can happen. Jones will look to bounce back from his performance last week, as Nabers builds upon his impressive showing in Week 1.