Daniel Jones leads underdog Giants past Vikings for first playoff win

MINNEAPOLIS — The New York Giants won a playoff game for the first since 2011.

The Giants went into Minnesota and defeated the Vikings, 31-24, in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

It sets up a third meeting for the Giants with the rival Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in the divisional round of the playoffs next weekend.

New York Giants

The Giants, behind a dominant performance by quarterback Daniel Jones, have won a playoff game for the first time since their Super Bowl run in the 2011 season.

They outlasted the Vikings in a shootout at U.S. Bank Stadium behind a monster effort from Jones in his first career playoff game. He went 24-for-35 for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Jones also ran 17 times for a team-high 78 yards and became the first player with at least 300 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and at least 70 yards rushing in a playoff game.

“I know we have an elite quarterback,” Giants running back Saquon Barkley said. “He’s shown that multiple times.”

Describe the game in two words: Offensive domination. Consider this the Giants’ masterpiece as this unit appears to have hit its stride at the right time. Minnesota could not stop the Giants Sunday afternoon.

New York punted just once in the contest. Jones was hitting big plays left and right, and when the Giants needed it most they drove right down the field for the winning score. New York went 12 plays, 65 yards on the pivotal drive, with Barkley finishing it with a 2-yard touchdown run. New York finished with 431 yards of total offense. It was that unit that won the Giants this shootout.

Buying a breakout performance: Jones’ legs are becoming his best weapon. The Giants used their quarterback’s mobility as a weapon early and often. Jones ran…