'We About To Go Crazy!' Vikings Not Scared of Giants

It’s fair to suggest that Sunday’s season opener between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings will be a game won by the stronger defense. Can New York’s new-look pass rush disrupt quarterback Sam Darnold enough to create chaos? Will Minnesota’s barrage of blitzers overwhelm Daniel Jones ?

These defenses are stylistically opposed, with Flores’ blitz-heavy unit similar to last year’s Giants, and New York coordinator Shane Bowen preaching a more conservative coverage arsenal with more two-high looks.

But in Week 1 – almost an extension of the preseason – shaking off the rust and playing with conviction is as much of an issue as schematics. The Vikings don’t just seem ready to roll. They claim they’re ready to dominate.

In a video from KSTP news in Minnesota , linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. wasn’t shy about his thoughts on the Giants.

“We about to go crazy, man,” Pace said. “Ain’t even gonna be no matchup. We gonna have to go crazy on them. It’s gonna be cool.”

New York will hope its offseason additions prove Pace wrong. Swapping out Saquon Barkley for Devin Singletary was always going to be a net negative, but upgrades to the offensive line could prove meaningful, especially while the unit is healthy.

Most importantly, rookie receiver Malik Nabers has a chance to transcend mediocre quarterbacking to elevate the entire offense.

Pace remained unfazed.

“Yeah, they look good, they look good,” Pace said. “But I know our defense. I know what we got in this locker room.”

It’s hard to blame him for having confidence ahead of Sunday’s opener at MetLife Stadium. Minnesota (like 30 other teams) hasn’t yet been beaten, so optimism is in the air. And New York didn’t exactly look imposing when the league last saw them, hobbling to the finish line.

Related: Nabers Reveals Nerves, Excitement for Giants Debut

Regardless, Jones and a revamped Giants offense has one path to shutting up opponents and putting the league on notice: win, and look good in the process.

It’s easier said than done, and last year’s struggles don’t inspire much confidence. But the Giants are healthy, improved, and have as clean a slate as anyone else. It will be on them to turn the narrative around.