Darnold throws 2 TD passes and Van Ginkel scores on a 1-handed INT as Vikings easily top Giants 28-6

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Sam Darnold had one of those super performances at MetLife Stadium that New York Jets fans hoped to see weekly after he was drafted No. 3 overall in 2018.

Six years later as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, he did it against, of all teams, the Giants on his old home turf.

Darnold threw two touchdown passes in a highly efficient performance and Andrew Van Ginkel scored on a spectacular one-handed 10-yard interception return to lead the Vikings to an easy 28-6 victory over the woeful New York Giants on Sunday.

Darnold completed his first 12 passes and had touchdown passes of 3 yards to Justin Jefferson and 21 to Jalen Nailor in making an impressive debut for the Vikings, who are coming off a 7-10 season, He also had a 22-yard pass to Josh Oliver to help set up Aaron Jones' 3-yard TD run that put Minnesota ahead 7-3 late in the first quarter and got Kevin O'Connell's team off to a good start.

“Obviously it’s great to be back,” said Darnold, who finished was 19 of 24 for 208 yards and one interception that came on a deflected pass. “It's been a while since I played here. I played here my first year in Carolina coming back. That was the last time I played here. It’s always good to get back in MetLife.”

What's remarkable was Darnold, who played in San Francisco last season, was signed as a veteran presence for first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. The Michigan product injured a knee in training camp and won't play this season.

“Sam Darnold, for a guy in a new system to start 12 for 12 and be incredibly poised throughout the day, it was a huge performance for us to be able to build off,” O'Connell said.

Giants inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, who recovered a fumble to set up the game's opening score, was not surpried by Darnold. He was at Stanford when Darnold was at Southern California and they played against each other often.

“You know, it’s fun competing against him because he’s a gamer. He makes plays. They’re going to run play-action. They’re going to run boot,” said Okereke, who said New York didn't play well enough to win.

The Vikings certainly made all the big plays and none was more impressive than Van Ginkel’s left-handed grab of Daniel Jones' swing pass deep in his own territory late in the third quarter put an exclamation point on a solid defensive performance by Brian Flores’ unit. It had Giants fans booing loudly as they headed to the exits down 28-6.

“He jumped up off the edge and made a nice play,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said of the interception.

Jefferson had four catches for 59 yards, with his TD coming on a quick slant on a fourth-down pass. It capped a 99-yard drive that he ignited with a 44-yard catch.

Graham Gano kicked field goals of 23 and 50 yards for the Giants, who played just like the team that posted a 6-11 record last season.

Jones, who was coming off major knee surgery, did not play well and got little help from either his new revamped offensive line or his receivers. First-round draft pick Malik Nabers had five receptions for 66 yards, including two for 25 yards.

Jones finished 22 of 42 for 186 yards and two interceptions, the second by 35-year-old safety Harrison Smith.

Giants co-owner and chief executive John Mara said after last season he wanted to see significant progress this year. But New York did little on offense with Daboll taking over the play calling and the Giants got little pressure on Darnold despite acquiring edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina in the offseason.

“Obviously not the way we wanted to start. Disappointing game,” Daboll said. “A lot to clean up and that’s what we will do.”

Vikings: WR Jordan Addison was ruled out after an ankle injury in the second half.

Giants: Returner Gunner Olszewski aggravated a groin injury in pregame warmups and did not play. WR Darius Slayton handled punt returns and running backs Eric Gray and Tyrone Tracy had kickoffs. ... LB Carter Coughlin, who was elevated off the practice squad, sustained a first-half pectoral injury. ... CB Nick McCloud left in the second half with a knee injury.

Vikings: Host San Francisco next Sunday.

Giants: at Washington next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold talk after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) catches a pass and Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll walks down the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (53) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) scores a 21-yard touchdown against New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) jogs off the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after sacking New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates after scoring a 3-yard touchdown against New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hug after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf walks across the field before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) jogs off the field after a third down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates after scoring a 3-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates after a 21-yard touchdown catch by teammate wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Venezuela’s main opposition coalition on Monday called on the U.S. to cancel the licenses that allow Chevron and other energy companies to operate in the South American country to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to negotiate a transition from power.

The appeal came from an adviser to the campaign of Edmundo González Urrutia, who represented the Unitary Platform coalition in the July 28 election, and his main backer, opposition leader María Corina Machado. González and Machado claim their campaign won the vote by a wide margin, contradicting the decision of national electoral authorities to declare Maduro the winner.

“We want them canceled … this is a lifeline to the regime,” adviser Rafael de la Cruz said in reference to the licenses during a panel discussion hosted by the New York-based Council of the Americas business organization. “We want all the oil companies to go to Venezuela. So, it’s not about the companies. It’s about the situation that is impoverishing the country so badly that practically the whole population wants this regime gone.”

California-based Chevron is the largest company to have received an individual permission from the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to do business with Venezuela’s state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., better known as PDVSA. The Treasury Department sanctioned PDVSA in 2019 as part of a policy punishing Maduro’s government for corrupt, anti-democratic and criminal activities.

Chevron’s license was issued in 2022 after Maduro and the opposition coalition jumpstarted a negotiation process. In October, the Treasury Department granted Venezuela a broad reprieve from sanctions after Maduro and the opposition agreed to work to improve electoral conditions ahead of the 2024 presidential contest. But as hopes for a democratic opening faded, the Biden administration clawed back the relief.

The White House left open the possibility for companies to apply for licenses exempting them from the restrictions, which could attract additional investment to the country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves. European companies have benefited from individual licenses.

De la Cruz said the González-Machado campaign wants “to find common ground” with oil companies. But, he said, their presence in Venezuela at the moment give Maduro the ability to try to “normalize … de facto dictatorship that he is trying to set up in Venezuela.”

“We remain committed to conducting our business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, both in the U.S. and the countries where we operate,” Chevron spokesman Bill Turenne said in a statement.

The White House did not immediately comment on the call by the opposition coalition to cancel the licenses. Chevron’s license renews automatically. It was last renewed Sept. 1 and is valid until March 2025.

Venezuela’s electoral authorities declared Maduro the victor hours after polls closed on July 28 but unlike previous presidential elections they never released detailed vote tallies to back up their claim, arguing that the National Electoral Council’s website was hacked. To the surprise of supporters and opponents, González and Machado shortly afterward announced not only that their campaign had obtained vote tallies from over two-thirds of the electronic voting machines used in the election but also that they had published them online to show the world that Maduro had lost.

Global condemnation over the lack of transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuela’s high court, stacked with ruling party loyalists, to audit the results. The court reaffirmed his victory.

After the disputed election, legislation was introduced in the U.S. Congress to prohibit American investments in Venezuela’s oil sector and to impose visa restrictions on current and former Maduro government officials. Resolutions recognizing a González victory were also introduced in the House and Senate.

González, a former diplomat, earlier this month departed for exile in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publishing of the vote tally sheets.

Last week, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions against 16 allies of Maduro, accusing them of obstructing the vote and carrying out human rights abuses. Those targeted included the head of the country’s high court, leaders of state security forces and prosecutors.

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro addresses government loyalists gathered at the presidential palace in support of his reelection one month after the presidential vote, in Caracas, Venezuela, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File)

FILE - Gas is flared at the Jose Antonio Anzoategui oil complex in Barcelona, Anzoategui State, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)