There will finally be football on TVs and radios this week when the Minnesota Vikings face off against the New York Giants. They go on the road in their first action of the preseason after several weeks in training camp. As a result, some younger players are poised to make a strong first impression.
The Vikings need to see some things from their rookie class on offense and defense. There are UDFAs who will play a significant number of snaps, and the coaching staff needs to show they can handle new roles.
With the stage set, we wanted to drop three matchups we have our eyes on for the Vikings against the Giants in their preseason opener.
1) Vikings' pass rush vs. Giants' offensive line
The Vikings' pass rush is going to be looking a bit different in 2026. The team traded away Jonathan Greenard
and is all in on Dallas Turner, so seeing how he handles the larger role for as much as we can will help get an idea of things. As for the player behind Turner, the depth pieces that will be pulled in on various play calls and designs is going to be very telling. This defense thrives on creating pressure, and seeing what the guys behind the starters can do will be something to keep an eye on.
2) Vikings' secondary vs. Giants' wide receivers
The Giants have some depth at the wide receiver position, headlined by rookie Malachi Fields. The former Notre Dame receiver is a big body and can make some acrobatic catches to challenge those in coverage. Seeing how the Vikings handle him and others in their pass attack will be interesting to watch unfold. The team needs better play for their secondary, so someone like Charles Demmings could come in and make an impact, and it could propel him into some meaningful snaps thereafter.
3) Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy
You thought we weren't going to talk about the quarterbacks? This will be the first time fans get to see them in a truly competitive setting outside of camp, and it could really tip the scales in one player's direction or another. While the job won't be decided on Saturday, there is a lot that can be told based on Murray's decision-making or McCarthy's ability to simply make plays.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 3 matchups to watch in the Vikings preseason opener against the Giants
