Under white-out conditions, the Vikings edged the New York Giants by the score of 27-24. Greg Joseph’s last-second, 61-yard field goal was the difference. 61 yards! Last week it was a 33-point comeback. This week it was a 61-yard field goal.
It was the Vikings 12th win of the season. It was the 11th win by a single score.
Throughout his career, Kirk Cousins has received a great deal of criticism. I can’t recall a quarterback ever having his game scrutinized quite like the media and fans scrutinize his. Prime Time games, big games, clutch moments. He’s always under someone’s microscope. This year, he’s been brilliant in clutch moments. The Vikings wouldn’t be 11-0 in single-score games without his clutch play. Some of those moments have come in big and Prime Time games.
Cousins vs the Giants:
34/48, 299 yards, and 3 TDs
The Vikings also wouldn’t be sitting at 12-3 without the incredible Justin Jefferson. The big plays on the drive that ended in Joseph’s 61-yard game-winner were his. On 3rd-and-nine, Jefferson caught a 16-yarder. On third-and-11, his catch and run gained 17 yards. On a clutch, game-winning 33-yard drive he caught two passes for 33 yards. For the game, Jefferson had 12 catches for 133 yards and a 17-yard touchdown.
The 12 catches bumped his season total to 123. That tops Cris Carter’s franchise record. His 133 yards bumped his season total to 1,756 yards. That tops Randy Moss’s franchise record. That’s elite company. Jefferson’s next target is Calvin Johnson’s league receiving yardage record of 1,964 yards.
Jefferson is fun. He’s incredible. He’s a complete receiver. So damn much fun. The Vikings and their fans are so lucky to have him.
Back to the game.
15 games in and the Vikings are still looking for their first complete game. That wasn’t a bad thing to say during the first half of the season. It’s an unfortunate thing to say after 15 games. The offense had too many unproductive possessions yesterday. Granted, the Giants have a very good defense. The Vikings offense has too many playmakers to have a series of unproductive possessions. Against any defense. The Vikings defense, again, gave up a lot of yards (445). Despite all those yards, it felt like the defense played better. Perhaps it was the two takeaways (1 fumble, 1 interception) and the pressure on Daniel Jones (3 sacks, felt like more). The Vikings special teams made several game-changing plays. The highlights being a blocked punt and the 61-yard, game-winning field goal. What a great thing it would be if this Vikings team could put together a complete game. If they could do that, a Super Bowl is possible. Gimme that!
T.J. Hockenson responded to being selected to his second Pro Bowl with his best game in his short time with the Vikings.
13 catches, 109 yards, and two TDs (12, 15)
Jefferson and Hockenson might be the Vikings most impactful pass catchers but the offense is at it’s best when the touches are more evenly spread across the team. Cousins completed 34 passes. 25 went to Jefferson and Hockenson. That’s too top heavy. K.J. Osborn needs more than three catches. Adam Thielen needs more than one catch. Dalvin Cook needs more than 14 carries and three catches.
It was another heart-stopping win. The Vikings are getting real good at closing out one-score wins. Hopefully, that will serve them well in the pressure cooker of the playoffs. The Vikings close the season with two road games against division foes. The Green Bay Packers are up first and then it’s the Chicago Bears in Week 18. For now, the Vikings are 12-3 and home for Christmas.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
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