Giants fall 13-10 to Vikings in Harbaugh's first game

The Giants lost their preseason opener 13-10 to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at MetLife Stadium, scoring all 10 of their points in the second quarter of John Harbaugh's first game as head coach.

Jaxson Dart went to the sideline medical tent for a concussion evaluation after Vikings safety Jay Ward sacked him on the final play of the first quarter. Jameis Winston replaced him and threw a short pass that Devin Singletary turned into a 40-yard gain, converting third-and-23. Dart returned two snaps later and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to rookie Malachi Fields on a scramble. It was his last play of the game.

Ben Sauls added a 46-yard field goal as the half expired. The Giants did not score again.

Will Reichard's 54-yard field goal cut the lead to 10-6 in the third quarter. Minnesota went ahead after Brandon Allen was intercepted on the first play of the next drive, Carson Wentz capping a seven-play possession with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Myles Price. Two Giants pass interference penalties extended it.

Allen threw two interceptions. The Giants ran for 70 yards on 27 carries and were sacked four times. Darius Alexander had their only sack.

Trailing by three with about three minutes left, the Giants had a first down at the Minnesota 25 wiped out by offensive pass interference on Isaiah Hodgins. They punted on fourth-and-13 two plays later.

"The pick play, we have a chance to go win the game," Harbaugh said after the game. "We need to execute that play."

Asked about the medical tent, Dart said he respects the league's player-safety rules "but at the same time, I'm still puzzled by it just feeling like every time that I get hit, I find my way in there."

Harbaugh reported no injuries. The Giants play at Miami on Saturday.

Notes

Kicking. Ben Sauls handled kickoff and field goal duties, making his lone attempt from 46 yards as the first half expired and converting an extra point. Dominic Zvada, who is competing with Sauls for the job, did not attempt a kick.

Punting. Jordan Stout punted six times for a 48.7-yard average, with three inside the 20 and a long of 60. On one third-quarter punt, a snap from rookie long snapper Ben Mann was fumbled; Stout recovered at the Giants 19 and still punted 58 yards.

Who played. Dart started and was sacked twice on six drop-backs, after Harbaugh declined to commit to playing him earlier in the week. Harbaugh said he played the full starting offense except left tackle Andrew Thomas, and about half the starting defense: "I decided not to play some of those starting defensive guys for that reason." Defensive tackles D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris did not appear in the box score.

Skattebo. Cam Skattebo played his first game action since last season, carrying four times for 19 yards. "I thought I saw the Cam Skattebo that you guys all know and saw last year," Harbaugh said. "I don't know that he's 100% twitchy and explosive yet, but he's getting there."

Beckham. Odell Beckham Jr. played his first game for the Giants since 2018, entering in the second quarter to loud cheers. He caught two passes for 6 yards on three targets. "It's been a long time coming," Beckham said, according to The Associated Press. "I'm just excited, trying to stay in the moment, be where my feet are at and make plays."

Minnesota. Kyler Murray made his Vikings debut as their new starting quarterback, playing one series without receiver Justin Jefferson, per AP. Safety Jamal Adams was carted off with a right knee injury in the second quarter, and coach Kevin O'Connell said the initial exam "does not look good," per Pro Football Talk.

Attendance. 77,494.