Minnesota Vikings Week 12 Superlatives

Normally I would post this on the Wednesday of a normal Minnesota Vikings game week. They played on Thanksgiving. So, today’s the day to recognize some of the players that thankfully made Thanksgiving a winning day. The Vikings beat the New England Patriots by the score of 33-26. The Vikings won another one-score game. Here are a few of the players that made it possible.

Offensive Player of the Game

Justin Jefferson, WR

This is becoming routine. Justin Jefferson was the difference in this game. His statistics are nice.

9 catches, 139 yards, 1 TD

It wasn’t just the catches. It wasn’t just the yards. It was the game situation of the catches. Every catch that Jefferson makes means something. It converts a first down. It flips the field. Each catch means so much because so many of these games come down to one play. One-score games usually do. The Vikings routinely rely on Jefferson to make these plays. He did it again in this game. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Duke Shelley, CB

This one’s tough. The Vikings defense didn’t play well. Through ten games, the Patriots haven’t been a very good offense. They were a pretty good offense, at times a very good offense, against the Vikings. The modest Patriots offense had the Vikings defense on their heels for much of the game. Injuries forced Duke Shelley into the starting lineup. It could’ve been ugly. It wasn’t. The 5’8” Shelley was more help than hindrance. For that he’s the defensive player of the game. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Kene Nwangwu, KR

This one’s easy. Kene Nwangwu finally got loose. His 97-yard kick return score tied the game at 26-26 in the third quarter. The Patriots had scored 10 unanswered points. They had momentum. Nwangwu’s return flipped that momentum.