EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Sam Darnold completed a dandy dozen consecutive passes to open his Vikings career — including a 44-yarder and 3-yard touchdown to Justin Jefferson to key a 99-yard touchdown drive.

Minnesota shifted gears and turned up the heat defensively after that for a 28-6 win at the New York Giants, who were celebrating the start of their 100^th NFL season.

It was the longest drive by the Vikings since Minnesota scored on a 99-yard pass against Chicago in 2008.

This one was more methodical and occurred in the second quarter when the score was still 7-3. Minnesota blending people and plays beautifully.

Ty Chandler gained 10 on a catch on second-and-9, and Darnold converted second-and-12 with the long pass to Jefferson, flipping field position to the New York 44.

Chandler followed with a gain of 6 before Darnold drilled a throw to Jordan Addison for a gain of 16 and followed with another 13-yarder to Addison before the second-year pro left the game with an ankle injury. Chandler and Addison each added one more catch before Vikings Head Coach opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the 3.

The drive lasted 6:44 of the second quarter and put Minnesota up 14-3 with 6:55 remaining in the first half.

Darnold's streak of 12 consecutive completions to open a game tied Hall of Fame QB Fran Tarkenton (a former Viking and Giant) for the second-longest to open a Vikings game. Tarkenton accomplished the run in 1977. It trailed the 17 consecutive completions by Kirk Cousins against Chicago in 2022.

Here are four more observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a scoring summary:

1. Van Ginkel makes incredible INT and key early stop

Multiple newcomers helped the Vikings defense, but outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel stunned the Giants — and Vikings teammates — with an incredible catch and pick six in the third quarter.

Van Ginkel stretched out and snatched a quick pass by Daniel Jones and cruised 10 yards into the end zone.

Multiple Vikings put their hands on top of their helmets in disbelief.

It was reminiscent of a play that Van Ginkel made during the Vikings Training Camp night practice at TCO Stadium but a little shorter of a return.

Van Ginkel also came up with a couple of key plays on New York's second possession of the game.

He quickly avoided a block on a designed run by Jones to tackle the QB after a gain of 1 on second-and-goal from the 6 and was credited with a sack after tackling Jones for no gain on third-and-goal.

Van Ginkel's sack and interception combo marked the fourth instance since 2000 that a Vikings player has recorded an interception and a sack in a Week 1 game.

He joined Kevin Williams (2007 against Falcons) and Harrison Smith (2014 at Rams and 2018 against 49ers) in delivering that combination.

2. Aaron Jones, Sr., hits milestone

Aaron Jones, Sr., reached the paint and hit a career milestone in his Vikings debut.

The running back scored Minnesota's first touchdown of the 2024 season, running the ball in from 3 yards out to cap a five-play, 65-yard drive.

He celebrated by leaping into the front row (old habits die hard for former Packers).

After rushing five times for 18 yards (and catching two passes for 15 yards in the first half) Jones sprung free for gains of 12 and 19 on consecutive runs during Minnesota's opening possession of the second half.

He finished with 94 yards on the ground and became the 102^nd player to rush for at least 6,000 yards. Jones' total of 6,034 ranks 100^th all-time.

3. Hitman with a swipe

Speaking of Harrison Smith, he recorded the 35^th interception of his career.

Smith picked off a pass by Daniel Jones in the end zone to help the Vikings defense keep the Giants out of the end zone.

After recording five interceptions in 2022, Smith did not record one in 2023.

He played at the line of scrimmage a good bit early during the game and then dropped into coverage other times.

4. Sacks aplenty

The Vikings recorded five sacks on the day.

In addition to Van Ginkel's, Pat Jones II recorded 2.0, and Harrison Phillips and first-round pick Dallas Turner each recorded 1.0.

The Vikings defense limited the Giants to 240 net yards and only 3.5 per play.