Vikings of Minnesota (4-0) maintained their undefeated status by beating New York Giants (2-2) with a score of 24-10 at US Bank Stadium, in the framework of week four of the 2016 National Football League (NFL) season.
The ground attack of Minnesota proved lethal in this match, as running back Jerick McKinnon contributed 85 yards on 18 carries, one for a four-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, while Matt Asiata added one more touchdown, from one yard, in the first quarter.
Quarterback Sam Bradford also played his part for the "Vikings" with a seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph in the second quarter, while for the Giants, running back Orleans Darkwa scored the only touchdown, from one yard, in the fourth quarter.
Wide receiver Dwayne Harris was both a bright spot and a shadow for the Giants in the first quarter, as he returned the kickoff for 44 yards, leaving them at their own 40-yard line, but when they wasted the good field position and had to punt, he himself caught the ball at the one-yard line, trapping the Vikings.
However, when their defense stopped the opponent and they had to punt, Harris fumbled the ball on the catch, allowing Minnesota to recover at the Giants' 41-yard line and capitalize on the mistake with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Asiata, making it 7-0.
The rest of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter were an exchange of punts, but as soon as Minnesota took possession in the second quarter, they put together another good drive, culminating in a precise pass from Bradford to Rudolph for a seven-yard touchdown, doubling the lead.
Again, defensive dominance prevailed until almost the end of the first half, when the Giants went on the attack with 2:46 minutes left until halftime and quarterback Eli Manning managed to lead them 44 yards to the Vikings' 22-yard line, from where Josh Brown kicked a 40-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 14-3 with two seconds on the clock.
While their offense struggled to find their rhythm on the US Bank Stadium turf, the New York defense managed to contain Bradford and company, and also had some luck when kicker Blair Walsh missed a 46-yard field goal attempt in the first drive of the second half.
However, Minnesota also tightened their defense and immediately came up with an interception against Manning, courtesy of cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who returned it 29 yards to the Giants' 43-yard line, giving Walsh his second opportunity of the night, which he converted with a 44-yard field goal, making it 17-3.
The "Big Apple" team, with their pride at stake, opened the fourth quarter with a big play: a screen pass from Manning that receiver Paul Perkins turned into a 67-yard breakout, leaving them at the four-yard line of the home team and setting the stage for Darkwa to score with a one-yard rush.
However, the home team had already figured out the visiting defense, and a few plays later, Bradford unleashed a pass for a 40-yard completion with Charles Johnson, placing them at the opponent's four-yard line, from where McKinnon scored to make it 24-10 in favor of the Vikings.
Without execution, New York failed a couple of times when they decided to go for it on fourth down in their last two offensive series, while in Minnesota's last series, Bradford kneeled down, allowing the home team to maintain their perfect record.
On the Giants' side, Eli Manning completed 25 out of 45 attempts, with 261 yards gained, no touchdowns and one interception, while Sam Bradford completed 26 out of 36 passes, contributed 262 yards and scored once, with no interceptions, for the Vikings.