Grading the Giants after their 28-10 loss Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings. 

Offense

There were bound to be days like this for Daniel Jones, who got a firsthand look at what a quality NFL defense looks like. Consider it a lesson learned. Jones (21 of 38, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) was not effective in the red zone. Losing starting RB Wayne Gallman early to a concussion was a tough blow, as rookie fill-in John Hiliman (9-20) struggled. There were holding penalties on Nate Solder and Evan Engram, and Solder was beaten by Everson Griffen in the fourth quarter for one of the Vikings four sacks. Quiet debut for Golden Tate (3-13).

Grade: D

Defense

The Vikings came in all hot and bothered about their shoddy passing game. They left emboldened after Kirk Cousins (22 of 27, 306 yards, 2 TDs) exploited the gaping holes in the middle of the field. CB Grant Haley was beaten by Adam Thielen for a 35-yard TD and no one had any answers for Thielen (7-130, 2 TDs). Dalvin Cook (21-132) did as he pleased. Rookie CB DeAndre Baker lost his cool for a moment in the third quarter and was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Three plays later, Thielen beat Baker for a TD. Cousins had 278 passing yards by halftime and the Vikings finished with 490 total yards. At least there was a goal-line stand and a quality forced fumble by Jabrill Peppers.

Grade: F

Special teams

Rookie Corey Ballentine had a 52-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. Riley Dixon looks like a different player this season. His first punt dropped and rolled to the Vikings 2-yard line. Golden Tate had a 17-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. Aldrick Rosas hit his only field-goal attempt, from 32 yards. Ameer Abdullah got free for a 33-yard kickoff return for the Vikings.

Grade: B

Coaching

For Pat Shurmur: How about a QB sneak or a quick, safe pass to get some breathing room on the 1-yard line rather than a telegraphed handoff to John Hilliman for a loss and a safety? Not much defensive coordinator James Bettcher could do trying to cover up for all the injuries at inside linebacker. And Shurmur understandably could not manufacture a ground game once Gallman went out.

Grade: C

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