Through three quarters, this was the typical close game for the Vikings. The score was 21-21 entering the fourth quarter. It was all Vikings over the final 15 minutes. 21 points. 42 for the game. The turning point of the game came on the kickoff following the Vikings first touchdown of the fourth quarter. Brian Asamoah knocked the ball loose from the Falcons returner. C.J. Ham recovered on the Falcons 32-yard line. Seven plays later, a close 21-21 game was 35-21. Cousins and the Falcons were suddenly desperate with just over eight minutes to play. A Byron Murphy Jr. interception turned into a game-sealing, 98-yard touchdown drive. Considering the back-and-forth nature of the first three quarters, this game was closer than the 21-points final margin. Still, it was a decisive 21-point margin.
This game became the Justin Jefferson/Jordan Addison game of my dreams.
Justin Jefferson’s game:
7 catches
132 yards
2 TDs (12, 52)
Jordan Addison’s game:
8 catches
133 yards
3 TDs (49,11,6)
Addison’s three TD game was the first for the Vikings since Stefon Diggs scored three against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. I was at that game. It was beautiful. So was Addison ripping up the Falcons. Jefferson and Addison are the best receiving duo in the league.
Sam Darnold has been terrific all season. At least statistically, this was his best game.
22 attempts
28 completions
347 yards
5 TDS
Darnold’s five TD game was the first for the Vikings since Daunte Culpepper in 2004. Twenty years ago.
This game was tied at 7-7 for most of the first half. The Vikings took their first lead with their second touchdown just before the two-minute warning. Excluding a kneel-down to end the first half, the Vikings had four first half possessions. Two ended with touchdowns. Two ended with punts. The Falcons consistently moved the ball. The Vikings didn’t. Just as they did against the Arizona Cardinals last week, the Vikings offensive line had early difficulties with the pass rush. Darnold was sacked four times. It felt like twice that. He was often stressed in the pocket. Just as they did against the Cardinals, the protection improved in the second half. Other than a couple kneel-downs that ended the game, the Vikings had five possessions in the second half. The first ended in a missed field goal. The next four ended with touchdowns. The Falcons had no answer for the Justin Jefferson/Jordan Addison duo. The Falcons had no answer for Sam Darnold. The gravy of all that offense was the 98-yard drive that ended with Aaron Jones scoring on a 15-yard burst. The bulk of the drive was the running of Cam Akers and Jones. It was great to see the Vikings drain the clock and seal the game on the ground.
The defense has been the reason for many of the Vikings eleven wins. With Cousins and the Falcons offense slicing the defense for almost 500 yards, it’s easy to say that the offense carried the day. The Falcons took all nine of their possessions into the Vikings side of the field. Lost in all those yards is the fact that the defense only gave up two touchdowns. They intercepted Cousins twice (Joshua Metellus and Byron Murphy Jr.). They twice turned the Falcons over on downs. The Vikings defense did a great job of minimizing the damage of nearly 500 yards.
Maybe it’s because 42 points looks so fancy but it feels like the Vikings offense is hitting its stride as they enter the final month of the season. The Vikings defense has been consistently reliable all season. The offense has been wildly inconsistent. Some of that might’ve stemmed from difficulties adjusting to defenses putting so many resources on slowing Jefferson. The offense often seemed lost when they couldn’t get the ball in the hands of their best player. In recent weeks, Addison has made defenses pay. T.J. Hockenson has made defenses pay. The Vikings have too many game-changing players to ever be stagnant on offense. Most importantly, Darnold has been playing his best ball in recent weeks. He’s played well all season but he’s taken his play to a whole other level the past few games.
With four games to play, the Vikings are 11-2. Despite that sparkling record, they are still a game back of the Detroit Lions in the NFC North. If they want that Week 18 game against the Lions to be for the division title, the Vikings can not afford a loss. Next up is a Monday Night appointment with the Chicago Bears.
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