With that, the 2023 regular season is over for the Minnesota Vikings. They ended it with a 29-13 win over the Bears. Let’s take a look at how they did today.
The offense showed up today, the line did much better this week compared to last week. I do believe getting a full week of practice at Center helped Reed. The starters only played the first half, only 3 that played the whole game were Reed, Ingram, and Udoh. In one half, Kirk threw for 225 and 1 TD. Nick Mullen came in and looked like a good backup QB throwing for 116 and 1 int. Cook got a little banged up but came back in before exiting for the rest of the game. Mattison scored twice for the first time in his career. Osborn had another good game leading the team in receiving with 117. The line gave up 0 sacks, but Kirk still got hit more than I’d like.
The defense played well today, I know I know it was the Bears on offense. The defense only allowed 259 total yards and picked off the Bears twice. DUKE SHELLEY got his 1st career interception against the team that released him earlier this year. Defensive starters also only played the first half. Patrick Jones III got the lone Vikings sack in the game.
The Vikings will be at home against the Giants next week with the day and time To Be Determined.
– WR Adam Thielen 55 career receiving touchdowns ties Hugh Taylor for the third-most by any undrafted player in NFL history.
– WR KJ Osborn’s 66-yard reception marks the longest of his career and the longest pass play by the Vikings this season.
– WR Justin Jefferson (322) set the NFL record for most receptions through a player’s first three seasons in the NFL, passing WR Michael Thomas (321).
– CB Patrick Peterson has recorded 34 career interceptions, tying Harrison Smith for the most by any active player in the NFL. Peterson has five interceptions this season, marking the most he has had in a season since 2012 (7).
– WR Justin Jefferson (1,809) is the seventh player in NFL history to reach 1,800 receiving yards in a season, joining Calvin Johnson, Cooper Kupp, Julio Jones, Jerry Rice, Antonio Brown, and Isaac Bruce as the only receivers to reach that milestone.
– Kevin O’Connell’s 13 wins are tied for the most wins by a first-year head coach in NFL history.
– At age 23, Justin Jefferson surpassed the legendary Don Hutson (1936) as the youngest player in NFL history to lead the league in both categories in a season
Phil K