Vikings' Ivan Pace Jr. says game vs. Giants 'ain't even gonna be no matchup'

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. is looking to follow up a tremendous rookie season with an encore in 2024.

He's already making noise off the field before the first regular season snap even happens for the Vikings.

The 23-year-old was asked about Sunday's matchup on the road against the New York Giants and didn't back down or sugarcoat his answer.

"We about to go crazy, man. Ain't even gonna be a matchup. We gonna have to go crazy on them. It's gonna be cool," he said.

Related: Vikings vs. Giants: 5 things you can count on

Related: 3 keys to victory for Vikings vs. Giants

After his response was followed up with mentions of impact players on the Giants offense — such as rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Devin Singletary — Pace spoke about the confidence he has in Minnesota's defense and the team as a whole.

"Yeah, they look good. They look good. But I know our defense. I know what we got in this locker room," he said.

After defensive coordinator Brian Flores took over for Ed Donatell, Minnesota's defense vastly improved from 2022 to 2023.

Jones is coming off an ACL tear last year and has a lot to prove this season, entering his sixth year under center for the Giants.

The confidence appears to be high among the Vikings as they'll square off against the Giants — a team they lost to at home in the NFC Wild Card round in the 2022 season — at noon on Sunday.