3 winners (and 2 losers) for Vikings in preseason Week 1 win over Giants

Minnesota Vikings fans finally got a look at new quarterback Kyler Murray in game action on Saturday as the team took on the New York Giants in a Week 1 preseason matchup.

Murray was only on the field for one offensive drive, but it lasted 10 plays and ended with Vikings kicker Will Reichard kicking a 35-yard field goal attempt through the uprights.

A whole lot more happened on Saturday in New York, so who were some of the biggest winners and losers from Minnesota's preseason opener against the Giants?

Minnesota Vikings Winners and Losers from the team's Week 1 preseason win over the New York Giants

Winner(s) No. 1

Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason - RBs

We've heard a ton about how the Vikings have been revamping their rushing attack this offseason, and that was definitely on display on Saturday against New York.

Minnesota's top two running backs, Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, combined for 44 rushing yards on six carries, which translated to an impressive 7.3 yards per rushing attempt.

If the Vikings can get the kind of rushing efficiency and production in the regular season as they did on Saturday, it's going to make life so much easier for every member of the team's offense, especially Murray.

Winner No. 2

Jay Ward - S

With a return of Harrison Smith for a 15th year in purple still up in the air, some other safeties have had some more opportunities this summer to show that they can make an impact, and Jay Ward certainly made an impact in Saturday's exhibition contest.

Near the end of the first quarter, Ward came speeding in on a blitz and pulverized Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. So much so that Dart had to leave the field for multiple plays to get checked out by New York's medical staff.

Winner No. 3

Myles Price - WR

While a lot of the talk this summer has been about the progress Tai Felton has made, Myles Price went out on the field and showed that he should actually be the second-year Vikings receiver that everyone is chatting about.

Price excelled as a returner for Minnesota last season, and the team is hoping he can potentially make more of an impact as a pass-catcher in 2026. If his performance on Saturday is any indication, the Vikings could potentially have another exciting weapon on their offense this season.

Price finished the preseason matchup against New York with four catches for 51 yards and one touchdown, which he only needed one hand to haul in during the third quarter.

Loser No. 1

J.J. McCarthy - QB

Saturday was a great opportunity for J.J. McCarthy to prove to Minnesota that they got it wrong by picking Murray to be the winner in the team's quarterback competition this summer. Instead, McCarthy essentially proved the Vikings right.

McCarthy finished his day going 4-of-7 for just 34 passing yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Too many times on Saturday, he looked like he was trying to complete the perfect pass instead of just throwing with anticipation and decisiveness.

It was only one preseason game, but McCarthy didn't do much to cause anyone to think he deserves the QB1 job over Murray during his time on the field in New York.

Loser No. 2

Jamal Adams - S

First off, Jamal Adams is not a loser; that's just the category he falls into during this exercise. Minnesota as a whole is actually more of the loser after Adams went down on Saturday with a potentially significant injury.

Adams signed with Minnesota right before training camp this summer, and the former All-Pro had been getting a bunch of work with the first-team defense in practice during the last few weeks. So, it looked like he was going to have a notable role with the Vikings this season.

That was at least until the MetLife turf monster claimed its latest victim on Saturday.

Midway through the first half, Adams went down with what looked like a non-contact leg injury, and he had to be carted to the locker room. It didn't look good, and his chances of playing for Minnesota this season might no longer exist.

Hopefully the diagnosis turns out to deliver better results than what everyone is expecting.

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