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Minnesota Vikings at NY Giants
Sunday 1p FOX
Things change fast in the NFL. The last time these teams met, it was January 2023 in the NFC Wild Card game. The Vikings were coming off a 13-4 season led by Kirk Cousins (now in Atlanta). The Giants were led by Saquon Barkley (now in Philadelphia), and HC Brian Daboll was being compared to Bill Parcells. The Giants won 31-24, behind a performance that earned Daniel Jones $92m in guaranteed dollars.
Fast forward to this May’s draft when both teams were rumored to be interested in Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. The Giants ended up taking heralded WR Malik Nabers, giving Jones a temporary reprieve and leaving the door open for the Vikings to move up to #10 and take McCarthy. Nabers has brought so much excitement to the Giants, they took jersey #1 out of retirement after 89 years. McCarthy didn’t disappoint early in training camp either, but an injury \shelved him for the year. That leaves us with an uninspired matchup between Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold.
Darnold will make his 57th career start (38 w/Jets, 17 w/Panthers, 1 w/49ers) on Sunday. Neither QB has been consistent and neither team is expected to contend. Rather than flipping a coin, I’m going to predict that Daboll can pull some 2022 magic by reminding Big Blue how last year’s crushing 40-0 defeat at home to the Cowboys set the tone for the season. That should give them the needed motivation to squeak out a win.
Giants 24 Vikings 19
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers
Monday 8:20p ESPN
Did I say things change fast in the NFL? Who can forget the 2023 off-season highlighted by Aaron Rodgers darkness retreat, the courtship, the trade negotiation, the NYC welcome tour, Hard Knocks and the amazing spectacle at MetLife Stadium on 9-11 culminating with Rodgers running on the field with the American Flag. A year later, the Jets find themselves in the exact same position. Getting ready to play a Monday Night Football game against an elite team, while looking forward to seeing Rodgers play his first (full) game in a Jets uniform.
On the flip side, the 49ers represent a model of consistency, having won 35 regular season and 6 playoff games in the last 3 years. They are who the Jets think they can be. A multi-dimensional offense featuring a dual-threat back and high-end receivers, plus a top 10 defense. With reasonable health, the Jets are talented enough to reach the 49ers level this season. It’s just a matter of how quickly Rodgers can shake the rust and the new offensive line can jell.
I’m expecting the Jets to win at least 11 games and break their playoff drought, but this is a tough matchup on the road. While Jets fans won’t celebrate a close loss, it will be a moral victory if everyone returns to Florham Park healthy on Tuesday.
Mac’s Pick – 49ers 21 Jets 20
Disclaimer: Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. “Mac” is not a professional prognosticator and doesn’t claim to be able to predict the future. If that’s not obvious yet, check back with us later in the season!
