Minnesota Mystifies Eli Manning in 24-10 Win

By ESPN

Minnesota's defense denied Odell Beckham Jr. all night and forced two turnovers that led to 10 points, and the Vikings mystified Eli Manning yet again during a 24-10 victory Monday over the New York Giants.

Sam Bradford threw a touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph for the third straight game and kept his turnover-free streak since joining Minnesota intact, helping the Vikings (4-0) lead from start to finish after falling behind in each of their first three wins and record their first 4-0 start since 2009. The Vikings, Eagles and Broncos are the only remaining unbeatens.

"I think they like to compete. I think they like to go out there and prove to everybody that they can be talked about with other good teams in this league," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said.

Beckham, who has yet to score this season, was smothered by cornerback Xavier Rhodes and had a career-low 23 yards on three catches.

"It's not a one-on-one game. It's 11-on-11, and we got beat 11-on-11 today," Beckham said.

Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard were quiet, too, and Manning was erratic as ever while finishing 25 for 45 for just 261 yards. Rhodes picked him off in the third quarter , the 15th interception for Manning in eight career starts against the Vikings. He's 2-6 with only five touchdown passes.

Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon each ran for a touchdown as the Vikings rushed for a season-high 104 yards to strike their best balance of the season as they continue to craft a post-Adrian Peterson strategy without their injured veteran running back. Bradford went 26 for 36 for 262 yards, thriving with quick-release throws behind an offensive line that protected better than it had in any of the previous three games.

"I didn't get hit, hardly at all," Bradford said. "The game ball should go to those guys."

The Vikings, who have allowed only 50 points in four games and rank second in the league in that category, have an NFL-best turnover margin of plus-10. The Giants (2-2) dropped to minus-8 for the season, including a muffed punt in the first quarter by Dwayne Harris that was forced by Vikings wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson in his new role on the coverage team.

Thursday, October 6 Schedule (Time Central)

Arizona at San Francisco, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, October 3 Schedule (All Times Central)

New England at Cleveland, noon

Philadelphia at Detroit, noon

Chicago at Indianapolis, noon

Tennessee at Miami, noon

Washington at Baltimore, noon

Houston at Minnesota, noon

New York Jets at Pittsburgh, noon

Atlanta at Denver, 3:05 p.m.

Cincinnati at Dallas, 3:25 p.m.

Buffalo at Los Angeles, 3:25 p.m.

San Diego at Oakland, 3:25 p.m.

New York Giants at Green Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, October 10 Schedule (Time Central)

Tampa Bay at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.