Sam Darnold didn't see any ghosts when he returned to MetLife Stadium.
Instead, all he saw this time was open receivers and a swath of green grass in front of them with free reign to run on.
The former Jets flop, in his first game as the Vikings' starting quarterback, sliced through the Giants' defense with ease on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. The Giants lost their season opener 28-6..
He completed 19 of 24 passes (79.2%) for 208 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for an impressive passer rating of 113.2.
Initially, it seemed like he might never throw an incomplete pass.
Darnold completed his first 12 passes and was 13 of 14 by halftime for 151 yards and a touchdown for a completion percentage of 135.4.
“For me, it was just about coming out here and playing my game,” Darnold said. “One play at a time. Play with confidence. I think that's the biggest thing. We have a great offensive line and a great system. If I play on time and do everything I'm supposed to do, I'll be OK.”
It couldn't have been any easier for Darnold, who had all day to throw whenever he dropped back.
The Giants, who should have a strong pass rush with Brian Barnes and Kayvon Thibodeau, recorded just one sack by Dexter Lawrence, and that came on the Vikings' second offensive snap of the game.
The Giants also recorded just two quarterback hits.
That meant trouble for the Giants defense, which entered the season as one of the team's biggest question marks and was being outplayed by Justin Jefferson and the rest of Minnesota's pass-catching corps.
In the third quarter, Darnold threw a perfect pass down the left sideline to Jefferson for 44 yards and then caught him again a few plays later for a 1-yard touchdown pass on fourth down, capping off a 99-yard, 11-play touchdown drive.
“I think [Darnold] “He's a guy that I thought would show up on film,” Thibodeau said. “He made some smart passes and played a great game, so that's what happened.”
Darnold's lone loss was an interception after Lawrence hit him in the arm and the ball went airborne and toward Darius Muassau.
Darnold is back at MetLife Stadium since leaving the Jets, having last played (actually) with the Panthers in a 25-3 loss to the Giants in 2021, but Sunday may have finally been his chance to get revenge or closure.
It was probably the best game he's ever played in the building.
“Obviously, it's good to be back,” Darnold said. “It's been a while since I've played here. … It's always good to come back to MetLife.”
