Minnesota Vikings Week 13 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings rallied for a narrow 23-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings offense didn’t do much over the first 43 minutes of the game. They scored 17 points over the final 17 minutes. The Vikings defense did just enough to keep the score within reach throughout the game. Here are some of the players responsible for the Vikings 10th win of the season.

Offensive Player of the Game

Justin Jefferson, WR

Over recent weeks, defenses devoted many of their resources to slowing down Justin Jefferson. That left him with itty bitty numbers. Against the Cardinals, it’s no surprise that the Vikings offense started clicking when passes started going Jefferson’s way. 

For the game:

7 catches

99 yards

For Jefferson, those are still modest numbers. The touches snapped the offense out of the fog they were in for much of the game. It was awesome to see him move the chains again.

Defensive Player of the Game

Jonathan Greenard, OLB

Jonathan Greenard was unstoppable and unblockable on the Cardinals final possession. The Vikings had taken a 23-22 lead with 1:13 to play. That left the Cardinals plenty of time to maneuver to field goal range. Here’s the Cardinals four-play possession:

1st-and-10: Kyler Murray five-yard pass to Michael Wilson (Harrison Smith)

2nd-and-five: Jonathan Greenard strip-sack of Kyler Murray, Murray recovers, -8 yards

3rd-and-13: Kyler Murray scrambles for three yards (Jonathan Greenard)

4th-and-10: Kyler Murray deep throw to Marvin Harrison Jr. is intercepted (Shaquill Griffin)

Greenard was relentless on this final defensive sequence. He swiped the ball out of Murray’s hand for the sack on second down. He chased Murray down to hold him to three yards on third down. The Vikings even called a timeout to get an exhausted Greenard a breather so he could be on the field for the fourth down. The pass rush got to Murray and forced the desperation throw that Griffin intercepted. 

Jonathan Greenard has been a beast all season. He should be in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Special Teams Player of the Game

John Parker Romo, K

The Cardinals held a 9-6 lead at the half. There were eight field goals in the game. There were 10 attempts. This was a game of field goals. Since they won by a single point, the Vikings needed every one of the 11 points John Parker Romo provided. Despite missing one of his field goal attempts, he’s the special teams player of the game. 

Vikings - Cardinals

The Minnesota Vikings edged the Arizona Cardinals, 23-22. For most of the game, the Vikings offense didn’t do much. The defense managed to do just enough. In the end, a game that felt like it was going to be a very disappointing, frustrating loss ended in a one-point win. Gritty wins are rarely pretty wins. This was a very gritty win for the Vikings. 

Many fans and most pundits will complain about wins like this. I’m not quite sure how anyone complains about a win. A win is always a win and all wins are great. I get being frustrated about one’s team not playing well. I was frustrated for most of this game. The Vikings had two offensive possessions that lasted a total of six plays and gained a combined -8 yards. Through nearly three quarters, they could only mange six points. The Cardinals offense routinely approached or entered the red zone. The Vikings offense rarely did. It wasn’t until the end of the third quarter that the Vikings offense really did anything to concern the Cardinals. Excluding the end-of-game kneel-downs, on their final three possessions, the Vikings offense went touchdown, field goal, touchdown. They outscored the Cardinals 17-3 over the final 17 minutes of the game. That’s exactly what they needed to overcome a 13-point deficit. 

For the bulk of the game, the best thing the Vikings defense did was hold the Cardinals to five field goals. They had interceptions on the Cardinals first play of the fourth quarter (Byron Murphy Jr.) and last play of the game (Shaquill Griffin). Those were pretty great. Griffin’s interception sealed the game. 

The Cardinals offense really came to life when Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore left the game with a hamstring injury. Fabian Moreau replaced him and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray immediately started picking on him. A couple pass interference penalties on Moreau triggered a couple of Cardinals scoring drives. The most significant one gave the Cardinals an opportunity to score their lone touchdown. That was a Murray toss to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. Moreau was in coverage on Harrison. 

The best takeaway from this game is that the Vikings found a way to win. For about 75% of the game, things rarely went their way. When they most needed something, anything, Sam Darnold guided the offense to 17 desperately-needed points. He was brilliant over the final twenty minutes of the game. He found Justin Jefferson. He found Jordan Addison. He found T.J. Hockenson. Aaron Jones scored the go-ahead touchdown. All of the playmakers made plays. For the entirety of the game, the Vikings defense did just enough. Just like last week’s overtime win over the Chicago Bears, the best sequence of the Vikings defense was the Cardinals final offensive possession. Jonathan Greenard was a beast. Griffin sealed the win with a fourth-down interception. 

Through Kevin O’Connell’s two-plus years as head coach, the Vikings have routinely found a way to win close games. If only they could figure out a way to play a complete game. If they could play an entire game like they do when their desperate, one-score games will be a thing of the past. Their wins will be pretty wins rather than gritty wins. 

The Vikings are now 10-2. Next week, Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons come to US Bank. The Vikings need Stephon Gilmore healthy. The pass rush needs to get to Cousins. The offensive line must keep Sam Darnold safe. It’d be nice to see the Vikings play well for 60 minutes. 

Flea Flicker Week 13 Predictions

It’s Week 13. Here’s some guesses at the games.

Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings just swept their three-game road swing. They must win their three-game home swing. First up is the Cardinals. 

Los Angeles Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons 

Pick: Chargers

The Chargers rebound from their loss to the Ravens.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals

This is a must-win game for the Bengals. They’ve been on the wrong end of a so many close games. If the playoffs are a hope, they must get on the other side of those scores.

Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots

Pick: Colts

This matchup was so much fun about two decades ago.

Seattle Seahawks @ New York Jets

Pick: Seahawks

The Jets collapse continues. How did this Jets beat the Texans?

Tennessee Titans @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Commanders

The Commanders end their three-game slide. 

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars 

Pick: Texans

The Texans need this win.

Los Angeles Rams @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Rams

The Rams roll.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Panthers

The Panthers have become a pesky team since Bryce Young’s return to the lineup.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

Game of the Week.

San Francisco 49ers @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The 49ers are lucky that they play in a division in which .500 record puts you within a game of first place. They must get healthy.

Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Browns 

It’s easy to pick against a Sean Payton-led team. That guy’s a clown.