The New York Giants traveled on the road to play the Minnesota Vikings in their first postseason game since 2016.
In a rematch from the Week 16 Christmas Eve matchup, the Giants came in as slight road underdogs.
In a back-and-forth game where both teams had their offenses rolling, the Giants defense made some big plays when it mattered most. Daniel Jones had possibly the best game of his career in his playoff debut.
The Giants outlasted the Vikings, moving on to face the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Saquon Barkley earlier this week: "As a player, as a competitor you want these moments – this is the stuff you dream about as a kid. Playing in the playoffs. Going to a hostile environment; it’s loud, making big plays and silencing the crowd."
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) January 15, 2023
Stiff arm to Patrick Peterson! Jones is not afraid 💪🏼
— NYGiantsRush (@NYGiantsRush) January 15, 2023
Saquon Barkley scores the #Giants first postseason touchdown since Tavarres King, who caught a 41-yard pass from Eli Manning against the #Packers in 2016.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 15, 2023
Danny Dimes and Saquon Barkley are lifetime Giants and no amount of whining from people who don’t watch the games is going to change that.
— NYG_PETE (@nyg_pete) January 15, 2023
That’s a helluva way for the offense to respond after such an impressive Vikings opening drive…especially after the early penalty
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) January 15, 2023
🏠 call https://t.co/vTrLd7IrI5
— Lᴀᴡʀᴇɴᴄᴇ Tʏɴᴇs (@lt4kicks) January 15, 2023
Just what I wanted to see 26. @saquon
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) January 15, 2023
Kevin O'Connell calls a throwback from Justin Jefferson to Kirk Cousins on 3rd and 1 at the Vikings' 34 in the 1st quarter of a tie game. Like last meeting, refusing to run it on 3rd or 4th and short. Don't get it. Adoree Jackson with the tackle. Punt
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) January 15, 2023
That's another TD!!! Let's go #Giants
— Dave Rothenberg (@RothenbergESPN) January 15, 2023
The Giants are averaging 18.4 yards per play on the first 2 drives. Be perfect.
8 & 26 are here.
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) January 15, 2023
The #Giants rolled into the playoffs looking better on offense than they have all season after moving pass first and 11 personnel heavy.
Two drives into the postseason and they’ve taken it to a new level. Kafka is even better prepared for this Vikings system than the first game.— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) January 15, 2023
Giants with a crisp 18.4 yards per play in the first quarter.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 15, 2023
A lot more creativity with the offensive personnel so far. In addition to Cager getting mixed in at TE, the Giants had one snap with 0 RB on the field: 2 TE, 3 WR. It was the Jones keeper that got blown up when Slayton was blocking Za'Darius Smith.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) January 15, 2023
Giants
3rd and 7 (converted)
3rd and 2 (converted)
3rd and 2 (converted)
3rd and 4 (converted)
3rd and 6
3rd and 7 (converted)
Average 4.6
4< 3/3Vikings
3rd and 2 (converted)
3rd and 1
3rd and 3
3rd and 9 (converted)
Average 3.75
4< 1/3Defense needs to force more 3rd downs
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) January 15, 2023
Good first half with some missed opportunities still. Should be an awesome 2nd Half.
— Mr. Glass Half-Full (@MisterGHF) January 15, 2023
Giants go into halftime with a 17-14 lead and will get ball to start second half https://t.co/FJLkJ5WuFM
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) January 15, 2023
Kayvon Thibodeaux was essentially tackled by Christian Darrisaw on that touchdown to Osborn.
Maybe Washington can send a video clip of that to the league office.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 15, 2023
T.J. Hockenson just killing the Giants. That time Landon Collins was in coverage. Vikings move the chains.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 15, 2023
Fox says Azeez Ojulari is out with a quad injury. Just a ridiculous run of injuries for him this season.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) January 15, 2023
Giants almost come up with an interception but call is ruled incomplete pass. It's 3rd and 7 for Vikings
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) January 15, 2023
Jones vs Cousins has a very good matchup so far.
— Mr. Glass Half-Full (@MisterGHF) January 15, 2023
We still have no answer for Hockenson.
— NYG_PETE (@nyg_pete) January 15, 2023
Cant expect the offense to score a TD every drive. Defense’s worst game of the year coming at a bad time.
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) January 15, 2023
Back and forth we go. Vikings into the end zone and a PAT from pulling within 24-21.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 15, 2023
Saquon Barkley is averaging 9.6 per carry. I'd feed him. #Giants
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 15, 2023
This game is going to come down to which team can create a turnover. Neither team can stop the other's offense.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 15, 2023
That would have been a brutal muff for the Vikings there. Lucky their guy was there to recover it
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 15, 2023
Fun game in Minnesota
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 15, 2023
Kayvon Thibodeaux is down being checked on by trainers. Looked like he grabbed his hand after making the tackle.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 15, 2023
Giants can't cover T.J. Hockenson. Again.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 15, 2023
And we are right back where we started.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) January 16, 2023
Saquon has been quiet for too long. It’s his time now.
— Mr. Glass Half-Full (@MisterGHF) January 16, 2023
BIG 💪🏾 26… keeep stepppin
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) January 16, 2023
LETS GOOOO MAN
— Wan’Dale Robinson (@wanda1erobinson) January 16, 2023
It’s a bit insane to consider how good Daniel Jones is playing right now.. in his first playoff game ever. Just complete and total command and he’s been asked to score drive after drive due to a bad defensive game. He’s added value with his legs but mainly with his arm. #Giants
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) January 16, 2023
Saquon has run over at least one person from each defensive position group on the Vikings today 😤💪🏾
— keith bulluck (@kbull53) January 16, 2023
Curtis Martin vs Gilbert Brown
Saquon Barkley vs Dalvin Tomlinson
IYKYK
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) January 16, 2023
That’s Saquon’s Second of the Game! GIANTS TAKE THE LEAD!
— Sam Prince (@samtheprince14) January 16, 2023
That's an elite drive! Let's see some defense!! Let's go #Giants
— Dave Rothenberg (@RothenbergESPN) January 16, 2023
Loud chants of "Let's Go Giants!" here in U.S. Bank Stadium. Jason Pinnock is down being looked at by trainers after the kickoff return.
He had a shoulder injury last week.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 16, 2023
I’m a big play to win kinda guy so I love the call from Brian Daboll to try and win this game from his own 40. Even if it didn’t work I am for it. For the record when situations like this arise again. #Giants
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) January 16, 2023
Fake the QB sprint-power and run qb power pass Giants
👀🤝
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 16, 2023
Give me an old fashion @Giants finish!! The QB on his back!!!
— David Tollefson (@DTollefson71) January 16, 2023
One of the worst roughing the passer calls I have ever seen. Refs have been quiet, here we go.
— Tommy (@TommyG105) January 16, 2023
Personal foul: playing football.
Absolutely pathetic.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 16, 2023
That’s a bad call. This roughing the passer rule is getting out of hand 🤦🏾♂️
— Jon Halapio (@JonHalapio) January 16, 2023
McKinney on Hockenson, makes the tackle well short of the sticks and the Giants will head to Philly.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 16, 2023
We did it
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) January 16, 2023
Let’s Go Gmen!!!!!!!!!
— Justin Tuck (@JustinTuck) January 16, 2023
Fitting that Xavier McKinney got that tackle
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) January 16, 2023
Won and not done!!!! pic.twitter.com/Gi8pTg399p
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 16, 2023
Dear Everyone, pic.twitter.com/BJGIgrkM5P
— Lᴀᴡʀᴇɴᴄᴇ Tʏɴᴇs (@lt4kicks) January 16, 2023
THE CURSE IS OVER.
GIANTS ADVANCE TO THE DIVISIONAL ROUND. pic.twitter.com/Qfo7tcXpuX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2023
Flawless performance by @Daniel_Jones10 and outstanding play calling by Daboll/Kafka all game long!!! On to Philadelphia #Giants #NFL
— Chris Canty (@ChrisCanty99) January 16, 2023
Head up 86! Next game popppp offff!!!!
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) January 16, 2023
Congratulations @Giants
Apologies to Daniel Jones
👏👏🤝
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 16, 2023
We win!!!!!!!!!!!! #NYG
— Dave Rothenberg (@RothenbergESPN) January 16, 2023
THE BOYS ARE BUZZIN pic.twitter.com/8jB11qinz3
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 16, 2023
Let’s Goooooooo! pic.twitter.com/vZuBYEDiV4
— Eli Manning (@EliManning) January 16, 2023