MINNEAPOLIS -- First-year head coach Brian Daboll had his upstart team fully prepared. Daniel Jones played at a level well beyond his experience.
The New York Giants came confidently into Minnesota's raucous stadium and beat the tight-finish masters at their own game.
Jones passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 78 yards in his first career playoff game for the Giants in a 31-24 wild-card round victory on Sunday that gave the Vikings their first loss in 12 one-score games this season.
"A cornerstone franchise like this with such a rich history, this is what we're supposed to do," wide receiver Darius Slayton said. "We're supposed to go to the playoffs. We're supposed to be a winning team. We're just going to keep trying to live up to the legacy that's been here."
Saquon Barkley rushed for two scores, including the tiebreaker midway through the fourth quarter. Jones became the first quarterback in NFL history to hit these thresholds in a postseason game: 300-plus yards passing, two-plus passing touchdowns and 70-plus yards rushing.
"He's a special player," said Barkley, who had 109 total yards on only 14 touches. "This is where you can create your legacy in the playoffs, and what a way to start it off."
The defense finished off the franchise's first playoff win since the Super Bowl 11 years ago by swarming tight end T.J. Hockenson at midfield after a 3-yard reception from Kirk Cousins on fourth-and-8 to force a turnover on downs with 1:44 to go and no timeouts left for the Vikings (13-5).
The Giants (10-7-1) advanced to play No. 1 seed and NFC East rival Philadelphia in the divisional round next Saturday night. They converted seven of 13 third downs and had their way with a Vikings defense that has been vulnerable all season, averaging 8.3 yards per play in the first half.
"I think we've had some of our better games recently and found some stuff that works for us," said Jones, who had touchdown passes to Isaiah Hodgins and Daniel Bellinger. "So we'll keep doing it. I thought the coaching staff did a great job having us prepared."
Cousins went 31 for 39 for 273 yards and two scores and a rushing touchdown to cap the game's opening possession, the too-short throw to Hockenson his one glaring mistake. Cousins was more upset by his placement on the third-and-8 pass to K.J. Osborn - who had a first-half touchdown catch - that was knocked down by Cor'Dale Flott.
"There was always belief. I think that's why it hurts, because you expect to find a way, especially the way this team has gone all year," said Cousins, who called this "probably the toughest loss" of his 11-year career after going an NFL-record 11-0 in one-score games in the regular season.
Five years and one day after Case Keenum's 61-yard last-play touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs gave the Vikings a 29-24 victory over New Orleans in the divisional round, Cousins finally got a postseason game in Minnesota in his fifth season with the team.
The Vikings stayed on brand by facing 10-point deficits late in the second quarter and again early in the third quarter.
Cousins, who delivered all kinds of on-target throws as he was knocked to the turf by the blitz-fueled Giants defense, hit Irv Smith Jr. for a touchdown that brought the Vikings within 24-21.
Then came the unusual - the defense got a stop.
Danielle Hunter's sack forced the first Giants punt, and the Vikings went the other way for the tying field goal. They left behind some crucial points, though, when Cousins ran successful sneak on fourth-and-1 at the 15 that was negated by a false start on left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
Jones converted a penalty-free fourth-and-1 sneak on the next drive for the Giants. Barkley chugged into the end zone for the lead with 7:47 to go.
"There were real tears in there," first-year coach Kevin O'Connell said outside the locker room. "There are guys that expected to have a chance to win a world championship. You've got to give the Giants a lot of credit."
JACKSON VS. JEFFERSON
Cousins targeted Hockenson 11 times for 10 receptions and 129 yards, but after Justin Jefferson had four catches on the opening touchdown drive he had only three more the rest of the way and just one in the second half.
The NFL's leading receiver, who had 133 yards and a touchdown on 12 receptions in the 27-24 win over the Giants last month, almost always had a safety following him and was deftly covered by Adoree' Jackson in the cornerback's return from a seven-game absence to a knee injury.
"I always believe in myself, but it's always gratifying and it's appreciated when others believe in you," Jackson said.
INJURY REPORT
Giants: OLB Azeez Ojulari (quadriceps) was hurt in the second quarter and ruled out at halftime. ... Backup FS Jason Pinnock (abdomen) left on a cart after covering a kickoff in the fourth quarter and went to a hospital for evaluation. He rejoined Giants in the locker room and was flying home with the team.
Vikings: LB Brian Asamoah II (concussion) was injured covering a kickoff late in the second quarter. ... Backup CB Cameron Dantzler Sr. (personal) was inactive after missing practice all week.
Wild Card loss to Giants stings Vikings fans
Joyous New York Giants fans streamed out of U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday after their team's 31-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The home team's fans were left stewing in "woulda coulda shoulda's" about the disappointing end to the once-promising season.
"We had a good time this season, you know, but it would be nice to have next week, too," said Don from Isanti.
Many fans blamed the defense for the loss.
"This is what happens. Defense wins championships," one fan said after the game. "Hey, good luck to the Giants. They're a better team."
This one will sting for a while to be sure, but even a loss can be a cherished memory.
Makenna German, an 8-year-old from Vancouver, Canada, got the thrill of her life when her dad, Brad, surprised her Saturday with plane tickets to the game.
"I thought he was joking," German said. "I didn't actually believe him at first until he actually said, 'Go pack your bags. We're leaving at 10 a.m.'"
The playoff atmosphere lived up to her expectations. The crowd's cheers hit 120 decibels at one point. U.S. Bank is one of only six stadiums in the NFL that have reached a level of 120 or more.
That elated feeling was gone once the clock hit zero, replaced with deflation.
At least one fan put a positive spin on things though.
"We had a good season," he said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to get it done. But we're gonna regroup next year and come back hungrier than ever."
You always need hope. Especially as a Vikings fan.
Giants regain lead with Barkley TD in 4th
Saquon Barkley gets his second TD of the game, with the Giants now up 31-24 with 7:47 left in the final quarter.
Joseph's FG ties things up early in the 4th
Viking Greg Joseph kicks a 38-yarder to tie the game up 24-24 with 12:34 to go in the final quarter.
Smith's TD brings Vikings within 3 in 3rd quarter
Irv Smith's TD brings the Vikings within 3, with the Giants up 24-21 with 7:50 left in the 3rd.
Giants up 24-14 in 3rd quarter
Daniel Jones tosses to Daniel Bellinger for a 9-yard TD, which puts the Giants up by 10 in the opening minutes of the second half.
Osborn TD brings Vikes within 3 of Giants to end 1st half
The Vikings make a 75-yeard drive, resulting in a K.J. Osborn touchdown. It's now 17-14 going into halftime.
Giants take 17-7 lead in 2nd quarter
After an illegal shift penalty robbed the Giants of a TD, they settled for a 25-yard field goal kicked by Graham Gano, giving them a 10-point lead with 3:30 left in the first half.
Giants lead 14-7 at end of 1st quarter
Daniel Jones throws to Isaiah Hodgins for a 14-yard TD, giving the Giants a seven-point lead to close out the first quarter.
Giants tie it up 7-7 in the 1st quarter
Saquon Barkley gets an easy TD to tie it up for the Giants with 5:11 left in the first.
Vikings take 7-0 lead near start of 1st quarter
QB Kirk Cousins snuck in a touchdown on the opening drive, giving the Vikings and 7-0 lead in the first few minutes of the first quarter.
Vikings' inactives
"It's summer weather": Vikings fans ditch coats for pre-game tailgating
Minnesota Vikings fans made the most of near-freezing temperatures during Sunday's playoff tailgate.
With an average temperature of 23 degrees, Sunday's forecasted high of 37 felt much warmer to some, who decided to ditch their coat and wear their jersey and not much else.
"It's T-shirt weather as we say, y'know?" said Henry Bronson of Circle Pines. "When it's 30 degrees in January, it's T-shirt weather."
"This is literally like summer," said Dillon Mccollar of Rapid City, South Dakota.
During Minnesota's 2016 home playoff game, the Vikings hosted the third coldest game in NFL history. Sunday's game was nowhere close.
"We're feeling great man, we're ready for a good game today," said Jacob Dilley.
Elsewhere, Minnesotans were making the most of the warm temperatures.
"You just walk outside and go, 'oh, I don't have to cover my face today, that's nice!" said Ken Jorissen at Lake of the Isles Dog Park .
"It seems balmy compared to what we've been having," said Warren Vollmar.
"It's a break for us to be outside for a little bit before we have to hunker back down," said Gavin Pedersen of Minneapolis.
5 years ago: The Minneapolis Miracle
It's been five years since the Vikings hosted a playoff game that ended in the "Minneapolis Miracle."
Ludacris to perform at halftime during Vikings' playoff game
Read more here.
Former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson visits fans ahead of Sunday playoff game
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was spotted signing autographs and snapping pictures with fans at Omni Viking Lakes Hotel ahead of Sunday's playoff game against the Giants. Read more here.
