It was a roller-coaster ride of a playoff game for the New York Giants, who faced host Minnesota Vikings in Sunday’s NFC wildcard round – in Big Blue’s first postseason appearance since 2016. Social media users drove the twists and turns with the way the G-Men faced adversity but also found success, albeit with tumult and turmoil in between, as the Giants clinched a 31-24 win in Minnesota.
When the clock struck 12:00 a.m., the fans cheered. The New Yorkers celebrated with glee and shouted admiration for the franchise as it progressed to another playoff game — thanks to its franchise quarterback.
Check out all of the G-Men’s fan reactions during Sunday’s competition, starting with the very first drive of the game and ending with Kirk Cousins’ game-ending four-down gaffe.
After an awkward start, star receiver Justin Jefferson scored four catches on Minnesota’s opening drive, which ended with Kirk Cousins scoring at the goal line to give the home team an early lead. Cousins completed all seven of his pass attempts during the 75-yard drive – sparking fear in the hearts of New Yorkers.
But Daniel Jones and company did not back down. Star running back Saquon Barkley quickly responded with a 28-yard scoring scamper to level the field. Suddenly, Big Blue fans were back in the driver’s seat.
Although Saquon usually collected the highlights and ink this season, it was a Danny Dimes that stole the show in Sunday’s first half. Jones hit a 14-yard strike with Isaiah Hodgins to open a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter. In fact, he completed all five of his 100-yard pass attempts in the opening quarter.
Unfortunately we couldn’t share all of these tweets because most of them were: “Danny [bleeping] dimes”.
NYG followed with a 20-play drive that ate up more than 10 minutes but ended with a field goal from Graham Gano to extend the lead to 17-7. Giants fans were disappointed after a penalty forced them to settle for three points.
One Twitter user even ordered a self-imposed push-up penalty as compensation for his team’s mistake.
The Vikings cut the Giants’ lead to 17-14 at halftime, but the G-Men scored on their first drive in the third quarter after Jones hit Daniel Bellinger with a short shot to regain a two-point lead: 24 -14 .
Minnesota answered the bell with an Irv Smith TD to close the gap to 24-21 and followed with a field goal from Greg Joseph to open the fourth quarter and tie the score at 24-24. A mild panic began to spread among fans in New York.
But fans were quickly reminded that there is no end in NY. Barkley drilled home another score with less than eight points to play, and the Giants were back in the lead: 31-24. New Yorkers once again felt brave and empowered.
A crucial fourth down attempt on their own side of the field sent Giants fans into a frenzy. It divided the fan base on Twitter, although Daniel Jones converted the first down via a QB sneak.
The switch allowed the Giants to milk the clock down to 3:03, but Darius Slayton committed a brutal drop into third place and the G-Men were forced to stab to Minnesota. The fan base quickly turned against him.
With less than two minutes left, Minnesota owned the ball, trailing 31-24. Giants fans grew more and more nervous with each passing attempt from Kirk Cousins.
But in classic Kirk Cousins fashion, he failed on his own fourth down attempt – firing a two-yard pass in fourth and eighth. The Giants took over and Jones knelt on the ball three times. The clock struck 0:00 and the Giants celebrated a 31-24 win.
