Ahead of Week 1 vs. Giants, Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell talks Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns

Week one is quite an interesting one in the National Football League season. More often than not, it isn't a perfect representation of how things will go over the rest of the season.

Due to the nature of the first game, there are some anomaly results. The Minnesota Vikings have dealt with some of those in the past, most notably the 2015 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, when they lost 20-3.

Kevin O'Connell talks New York Giants

During his Wednesday press conference, head coach Kevin O'Connell talked about the challenges that they will face on Sunday against the New York Giants with the defense being the biggest one.

"They go out and add another premier edge player. I got a ton of respect for [Brian] Burns and then knowing [Kayvon] Thibodeaux on the other side has been a player that's really just continues to ascend, and you can see it all over the tape of his first-round ability and what he's kind of grown into, there's no question. Their defense is very strong on the front. When you mention those two guys, you have to mention [Dexter] Lawrence in the middle. Going back a couple years ago, just remember how much of an impact he was, and I think their linebackers are really good. I think they have a really versatile secondary to play a lot of different ways and coverages. So, it really all works together."

The line about Lawrence from O'Connell is important. On that pivotal fourth and eight where Kirk Cousins checked it down for three yards to T.J. Hockenson, Lawrence was getting a lot of pressure. I talked about that on Purple Daily Meat and Potatoes earlier this week.

"I think it starts with Dexter Lawrence. You've got to figure out a way to corral him in the middle. And he's not your traditional style nose tackle. He gets a lot of pressure on the quarterback. I think last year he ended up with an astounding like 50 pressures from the 0T/1T spot and they move him all around the interior of that defensive line."

Nobody really knows how this defense is going to shape up, as Shane Bowen is taking over as defensive coordinator for Wink Martindale, who is now at the University of Michigan. O'Connell and the Vikings did host the Tennessee Titans for joint practices where Bowen was the defensive coordinator in 2023.

"We got a chance to practice against Tennessee when they came in here when Shane [Bowen] was their defensive coordinator for Vrabs [Mike Vrabel] and just thought they were really well coached, really tough, ran to the ball, did all the little things that make it hard to play against defenses that do those things in this league. I think he's really good from a scheme standpoint. We have our work cut out for us for sure of going on the road with the obvious element of noise and all those things. We've got to practice and prepare for it and then make a lot of the things that we've worked on come to life."

There is an element of mystery behind what the Giants are going to bring to the table and the Vikings will be ready for it.