Minnesota Vikings Week 16 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings edged the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, 27-24. It was very much a team win as the offense, defense, and special teams all made the plays that needed to be made. Here are some of the players that made the Vikings 13th win possible. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Justin Jefferson, WR

Justin Jefferson was the best player on the field. He often is. When the Vikings needed a big play and Sam Darnold needed a target, Jefferson was there. The biggest was the 39-yard game winning touchdown with just under four minutes to play. 

Jefferson’s numbers

10 catches

144 yards

2 TDs (14,39)

The ten catches and 144 yards were season highs. 

Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the league. 

Defensive Players of the Game

Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB

Dallas Turner., OLB

Theo Jackson, S

It’s easy and fun to keep eyes on Andrew Van Ginkel on every snap. It started with the first game of the season, when he snagged the first of his two pick-6s. It’s been a while since he’s had one of those but his next big play always feels a snap away. The Seahawks zipped down the field on their touchdown drives. Van Ginkel was a big reason they didn’t get a fourth. His two fourth quarter sacks were huge. Both essentially ended two Seahawks scoring threats. 

Dallas Turner and Theo Jackson get mentions for their big interceptions. Turner’s interception was the first of his NFL career. Playing in place of injured Harrison Smith, Jackson’s interception sealed the big win for the Vikings. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Will Reichard, K

Ryan Wright, P

Will Reichard was great again. The rookie kicker made all five of his kicks. He kicked two field goals (52,48) and three extra points. One of which was from 47 yards due to a personal foul penalty. Thanks to the rookie kicker I no longer fear every extra point and field goal attempt. 

In his third season with the Vikings, this might have been Ryan Wright’s best game. From a team standpoint, six punts is a little much. Wright totaled 300 yards on those six punts for a 50-yard average. Four of those punts pinned the Seahawks inside their own 20-yard line. 

Punt 1: 51-yard punt, fielded at the nine-yard line and returned to the 13. 

Punt 2: 54-yard punt, fielded at the 22-yard line. A penalty brought a big return back to the 12. 

Punt 3: 63-yard punt, fielded at the one-yard line and returned to the 12. 

Punt 4: 38-yard punt, fair-caught at eight-yard line.

Punt 5: 56-yard punt, fielded at 17-yard line and returned to 32.

Punt 6: 38-yard punt, out of bounds at 17-yard line.