Ivan Pace Jr. on the duel against the Giants: “There won’t be a duel at all”

Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. made a lot of noise as a rookie. This week, he made even more noise.

Pace was asked about Sunday’s game between the Giants offense and the Vikings defense. He decided to take the bulletin board route.

“We’re going crazy, man“, said Pace. “There won’t even be a face-to-face. We have to completely overrun them. It’ll be cool.”

The reporter tried to convince Pace to take New York’s offense more seriously given the presence of players like Malik Nabers, Daniel Jones (sometimes) and Devin Singletary.

“Yeah, they look good, they look good,” Pace said. “But I know our defense. I know what we have in this locker room.”

Minnesota’s defense has improved significantly in 2023. On the other hand, the bar was lower starting in 2022.

Still, it’s never a good idea to speak so openly. It gives the Giants one last boost of authentic, natural motivation for the first home game of their 100th season.

From time to time, some players claim such comments are irrelevant. They are lying. Of course they are. Many make up insults and disrespect to get themselves going. Pace has given the Giants something very real to sink their teeth into.

And if it works – if the Giants do well against Minnesota’s defense – the Giants players will surely taunt Pace and the Vikings Morris Day-style, with shouts of Let’s go crazy.