Fact or Fiction: Predictions for first sack, TD, takeaway of 2024

Jason Pinnock will snatch the Giants’ first takeaway of the season.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – Sam Darnold has been known to throw balls into traffic in the middle of the field. It could be Pinnock grabbing the interception, but I think it will be Bobby Okereke anticipating a Darnold pass and stepping in front of a receiver for an interception. If the Giants can force the Vikings into a deficit and remove their play action game, they should have the opportunity for takeaways.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Fellow safety Dane Belton, who has been limited this week with a back injury, would be a good choice because he has four interceptions and three fumble recoveries in just 685 defensive snaps in his career (not including the fumble recovery on the opening kickoff of his NFL debut). Pinnock, meanwhile, proved to be a game-changer in his first season as a full-time starter, recording two interceptions (one of which he returned 102 yards for a touchdown) and two forced fumbles.

Matt Citak: Fiction – I believe the Giants’ first takeaway of the season will come from the safety position, but not Jason Pinnock. Instead, I think it will be the rookie making his NFL debut. Tyler Nubin set a program record with 13 interceptions at Minnesota, including five in his final season there. Analysts called Nubin a ballhawk heading into the draft, and we saw him sniff out the ball on numerous occasions during training camp. We don’t know yet how the safety playing time is going to be split up, but I expect both Nubin and Dane Belton to join Pinnock on the field a good amount. This will lead to Nubin notching his first career interception and the team’s first turnover of the year.

The Vikings’ offense is a bigger challenge than their defense for the Giants.

John Schmeelk: Fact – Justin Jefferson is a game-changing player. There is a reason he is the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL. He is an excellent route runner, can get the ball in coverage, and is tough enough to take big hits over the middle yet still come up with the catch. The Giants are going to have to figure out how to cover him without sacrificing their ability to slowdown their other playmakers like Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – The Vikings gave up just 53 plays of 20 yards last year, tied for the fourth-fewest in the NFL. That has been the major emphasis for the Giants’ offense, which has struggled to generate explosive plays. Let’s see how this matchup plays out on Sunday.

Matt Citak: Fiction – Despite the presence of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones on the offense, I have to go with the Vikings’ defense being the bigger challenge for the Giants. Brian Flores was brought in as the defensive coordinator last year, which resulted in a much more aggressive Vikings defense. Flores blitzed early and often and did a great job of disguising the blitzes. This matchup will serve as a tough challenge for the Giants’ new-look offensive line, whose communication will certainly be put to the test. While Jefferson might offer the biggest individual challenge for the Giants, their defense as a whole could cause more trouble for the Giants than the Vikings’ offense.