The Vikings are just so fun to watch aren’t they? This team continues to find ways to fight and win, and today was no exception. The Vikings got up 10-0 before trailing 13-10 going into the fourth quarter. Hockenson and Jefferson both caught touchdowns to put them up 24-16. Saquon Barkley then ran it in for a 27 yard TD before Kirk Cousins lead another of his game winning drives ending with Greg Joseph kicking a 61-yard walk-off field goal to win 27-24. With that, let’s take a look at my Minnesota Vikings week 16 takeaways.
Vikings Historic Season Keeps On Rolling
This season for the Minnesota Vikings has been nothing short of special. They just keep finding ways to win and they’re doing it in historic fashion. After this win, Kirk Cousins has tied Matthew Stafford for the most fourth quarter comebacks in a single season at eight. The Vikings are also 11-0 in one score games. Oh, it’s also an NFL record for most wins in a one score game. This team is just so clutch this season its just insane. Also, Justin Jefferson had another record breaking day, but more on that later. The defense has also had some top tier celebrations like this one embodying the World Cup spirit.
A little "PK" celebration for the @Vikings defense after that interception! ⚽️ ⚽️ @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/qVYQIoiL0P
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 24, 2022
Also, for all the missed field goals and extra points, Greg Joseph has five game winning field goals for the Vikings, including this career long 61-yard field goal to win it for the Vikings today.
GREG JOSEPH 61-YARD FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN! @VIKINGS #NYGvsMIN pic.twitter.com/a7JwsbirRX
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
T.J. Hockenson Is Proving He Was Worth It
Talk about having a career game. Okay, it wasn’t his greatest game ever (that was against Seattle this year were he had 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns. This was his best game as a Viking and his third best ever. Hockenson had 13 receptions for 109 yards and pair of touchdowns. Adofo-Mensah’s acquistion of Hockenson is looking to be getting better and better with each passing week. This offseason the Vikings will need to look to extend the tight end to keep this core of an offense together.
Justin Jefferson Tracker
It seems like we can’t even go a week nowadays without JJ breaking some sort of record. Today he broke two single season Minnesota Vikings records. First he broke the single season receiving record held by Randy Moss (1,632). He also broke Cris Carters single season reception record (122) with his 12th reception of the day with 123. Just a historic season for the young receiver.
Also part of his historic season is his race to not only break Calvin Johnson’s record, but to be the first receiver ever to reach the 2,000 yard receiving mark. JJ right now sits at 1,756. Against the Giants he racked up 133 yards on 12 receptions and a touchdown. Jefferson needs 208 yards (104 yards per game) to break Johnson’s record of 1,964. To be the first to 2,000, Jefferson needs 244 (122 yards per game). With two games to go in Lambeau and Soldier Field, it won’t be an easy task. Jefferson will likely need a monster game to achieve the historic benchmark, but given that it is Jefferson who knows.
A Look Ahead
The Minnesota Vikings will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers (6-8). The Packers play on Christmas Day against the Miami Dolphins.
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