Vikings halftime report: Darnold dealing as Vikings lead Giants 14-3

The Minnesota Vikings bet that their coaching and weapons on offense would be enough to elevate Sam Darnold’s play when they signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. Thirty minutes into the season, they appear to have been right.

The former third overall pick completed each of his first 12 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown, throwing strike after strike. Even his one misfire, an underthrown deep ball to Jordan Addison in the first quarter, drew a pass interference call.

Here are some other notes from the first half of Minnesota’s game at the New York Giants, as they lead 14-3 heading into the locker room:

• Early mistakes lead to poor start

The Vikings talked about taking care of the football this season after last year’s early struggles contributed heavily to a 1-4 start. Justin Jefferson even mentioned the emphasis this week.

So how did they start? C.J. Ham fumbled on Minnesota’s first drive, giving New York the ball in the red zone.

The play before, Dexter Lawrence beat the Vikings interior offensive line and got to Darnold for a sack, another persistent issue in recent years.

The O-line also hasn’t gotten a lot of push at all in the run game.

• Sloppy start with penalties

The Vikings got called for six penalties for 53 yards in the first half. Yes, the Giants also got flagged six times for 66 yards but it’s still not a good start.

Minnesota has to clean that up.

• Defense strong early

Despite getting put in a terrible position by the turnover, the Vikings held New York to a field goal and was stout throughout the first half.

Offseason addition Andrew Van Ginkel got Minnesota’s first sack of the season and rookie Dallas Turner collected the second, linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman are flying all over the place, and the secondary looks improved, even if it’s just against Daniel Jones.

Overall, the Vikings held the Giants to 87 total yards and under 3 yards per play. That'll do.