Week 12 sees the Minnesota Vikings take on the New York Jets. Last week the offense rebounded and the defense did enough to win the game. This was, as usual, a very stressful game, and the Vikings came out on top 27-22.
The first quarter for the offense was rough, to me, it seemed like Kirk and the receivers weren’t on the same page which hasn’t happened a lot this season. Kirk started the game 1-6 passing, which is off even for him. The defense on the other hand played well. Harrison Smith got his 5th interception of the season which helped the Vikings kick a Field Goal. The end of the first quarter was 3-3.
Entering the 2nd quarter the Vikings’ offense was driving and were finally able to figure out the passing game a little bit. The Vikings score 2 rushing TDs and an FG in the 2nd quarter. Kirk stayed in the pocket and took some hits as he was throwing. He also rushed for an 11-yard run that I thought for sure would have been a sack. The defense stayed playing well and kept the Jets out of the endzone. The Jets kicked a 60-yard FG with :08 left in the first half. The score at the end of the half was 20-6 Vikings.
The third quarter started just like the first quarter for the Vikings’ offense. Immediate 3 and out. The defense was able to hold the Jets to an FG. The offense got 10 yards in the 3rd quarter and the line forgot how to block. Don’t get me wrong Kirk missed a few throws, I honestly think he got hurt at the end of the 2nd quarter. The defense got tired of being on the field so much. The defense gave up yards but only gave up FGs. The score at the end of 3 was 20-12.
The defense bent but didn’t break on the first defensive drive of the 4th. The Jets kicked another FG to make it 20-15. The offense came out and in one play got more yards than they had the entire 3rd quarter, but they didn’t stop there. The offense drove down the field and scored on a throw from Cousins the Jefferson. Outside of that, the offense didn’t do much more. The defense bent and broke on the next drive as New York scored and got back to within 5. After that, the defense held them on 4th and goal from the 1-2 yard line. The offense went 3 and out, then the defense intercepted White to end the game. The Vikings’ defense held the Jets to 3/16 on third down and 1/6 in the Red Zone.
The Vikings (10-2) will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions (5-7) and with a win can clinch the division. With the Vikings winning today Green Bay can no longer win the division, meaning there will be a new King of the North this season.
Since entering the league in 2012, S Harrison Smith has recorded 34 interceptions, the most in the NFL during that span. He also has the fifth-most interceptions in franchise history.
RB Dalvin Cook’s 4-yard touchdown run marks his 50th career touchdown (46 rushing, 4 receiving), tying him with WR Sammy White for the ninth-most in franchise history.
The Vikings scored 20 points on the Jet’s defense in the first half which is tied for the most they’ve given up in a first half this season.
Photo credit goes to Jim Udenberg, you can find his work on Instagram at imaginariumai. He does great work.
Phil Kujawa