The Seahawks are a tough, talented team. Entering the game at 8-6, they are competing for the NFC West title. Despite this loss, they still are. Seattle is always a tough place to play. This was the ninth time the Vikings played the Seahawks in Seattle. It was only their third win. They’d lost the previous five games. Overall, the Seahawks lead the series 13-7. There were many reasons to worry about the Seahawks. Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll may no longer be leading the team but the Seahawks will always be one of the most annoying teams in the league. It’s real fun seeing the Vikings beat them.
Turnovers are often the difference in football games. They were in this game. The Vikings offense had zero giveaways. Six punts is a little much. Even worse, four of those came on three-and-outs. Credit the Seahawks defense. Still, the Vikings offense didn’t hand the Seahawks the ball. The Vikings defense took the ball from the Seahawks twice. The first (Dallas Turner interception) was turned into three points. The second (Theo Jackson interception) sealed the game. The Vikings should’ve had four interceptions as Shaq Griffin and Blake Cashman had the ball in their hands but couldn’t complete the catch.
After Turner’s interception was turned into a field goal, the Vikings held a ten-point second lead. It felt like they were on the verge of pulling away from the Seahawks. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Instead, Geno Smith got hot. He led the Seahawks on a crisp touchdown drive before the end of the half. They added a field goal to start the second half. Just like that, a 10-point lead was gone. The game was tied at 17.
Geno Smith was more Joe Montana than Geno Smith on the Seahawks three touchdown drives. He completed all 15 of the passes that he threw on those drives. That passing consistency opened up the running game. Those possessions were outliers. On the possessions that didn’t end in touchdowns, the Seahawks could do little against the Vikings defense. It was all punts and interceptions. The Seahawks and their fans seemed to think they had the game won when Smith hit tight end AJ Barner for a four-yard touchdown with just over four minutes to play. The score gave the Seahawks a 24-20 lead.
Then it was Sam Darnold time.
Sam Darnold was clutch when the Vikings needed it most. After the Seahawks took the late lead, he only needed 30 seconds to take it back. A key to the quick drive was the officials finally calling a facemask penalty against a Vikings opponent. Darnold’s facemask was clearly grabbed and the officials finally, thankfully saw it. The penalty gave the Vikings a first down on the Seahawks 39-yard line. Darnold then hit Justin Jefferson for a 39-yard touchdown. Vikings now had the lead, 27-24. If there was a problem with the big drive and touchdown, it was that they scored so fast. It would’ve been nice if they had drained much more than 30 seconds off the clock. It forced the Vikings defense to handle a couple, final opportunities for the Seahawks.
To close the game, the Vikings defense forced the Seahawks to attempt a 60-yard field goal with two minutes to play. The kick was short. Unable to get a first down and run out the clock, the Vikings had to give the ball back to the Seahawks with about a minute to play. Theo Jackson intercepted Smith to seal the win.
Theo Jackson got playing time because Harrison Smith missed the game with a foot injury. With his experience, versatility, and talent, Smith is a big part of the Vikings defense. He was missed but Jackson is a talented player. He’d be a starter on several teams. It was nice to see him get the interception that sealed the game. The Vikings are now 13-2 on the season and riding an eight-game win streak. To get those 13 wins a lot of different players have stepped up with big plays and big games. This week, Theo Jackson was one of those players.
13-2. Win the final two games and the Minnesota Vikings are NFC North champions and grab the #1 seed in the NFC. First up, the Green Bay Packers come to US Bank next Sunday.
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