The John Harbaugh era kicked off with a whimper, not a bang, as the New York Giants fell 13-10 to the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason opener at MetLife Stadium Saturday. It was a dull start, no doubt about it, for a team undergoing some serious structural changes this offseason. Head Coach Harbaugh told reporters after the game, “Opener, first opportunity to see us in a game as opposed to a practice… proud of the guys; I thought they played hard, thought they competed, and we’ll learn a lot from that game.” That’s the kind of measured talk you get, but what did we *really* see?
The Offense Showed Flashes, But Had Some Real Stumbles
On offense, it was a mixed bag, to say the least. Jaxson Dart went three-for-four passing, including a sweet touchdown toss to rookie Malachi Fields, even after taking a scary hit from Vikings safety Jay Ward. Jameis Winston also had a highlight play, uncorking a 40-yard dump pass to Devin Singletary on a wild third-and-23. But the day wasn’t all bright. Third-team quarterback Brandon Allen struggled big time, throwing two picks and going three-and-out on three separate drives. He tried to rally the team late, but it was just too little, too late.
The offensive line was playing shorthanded, with their third-string center Bryan Hudson filling in because John Michael Schmitz and Lucas Patrick were hurt. Andrew Thomas didn’t even play, and Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Elumunor only saw 16 snaps each. Still, rookie guard Francis Mauigoa looked great in his debut, moving well, getting to the second level, and making some crucial blocks. Cam Skattebo, back from injury, looked 100 percent recovered, carrying four times for 19 yards. And Malachi Fields? He had a smashing debut, not just with that leaping touchdown grab but also catching two other passes for first downs. This kid looks like a player. Odell Beckham Jr. caught two passes for six yards, looking fluid, and tight end Isaiah Likely hauled in both his targets for 11 yards. The offense earned a ‘B’ grade.
Missing Pieces and Rookie Surprises on Defense
The defense was definitely playing with a lot of missing pieces. Defensive linemen D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris, two guys they’re hoping will make fans forget Dexter Lawrence, didn’t play. That left Darius Alexander as the only starter upfront, and he held his own with two solo stops and a sack. The linebackers were without Tremaine Edmunds and Brian Burns, with rookies Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter only seeing limited action. Micah McFadden, coming back from a foot injury that sidelined him for most of 2025, looked a bit rusty, but it was good to see him back on the field. Keep an eye on rookie Jack Kelly, who led the team with five tackles. The secondary was mostly made up of reserves and players fighting for a roster spot. They looked a bit sluggish and drew some penalties, but they played aggressively and managed to keep the Vikings from making any huge gains. Safety Tyler Nubin was the only starter out there.
So, what’s next? This was just the first chance to see this new-look team in action. Harbaugh and the staff have a ton of play-by-play, player-by-player evaluation ahead of them. Remember, this is preseason, and a lot of the guys out there Saturday won’t even make the final 53-man roster. It’s a long journey, but early flashes from guys like Malachi Fields and Francis Mauigoa give us something to watch for as they work on getting better.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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