Vikings outlast Patriots as Justin Jefferson stars again

It wasn’t fairly – most Thursday video games aren’t – however the Minnesota Vikings shook off the 37-point beating by the Cowboys and responded by placing up 33 factors on what was the NFL’s No. 1 scoring protection getting into Week 12. 

The 33-26 victory will get Minnesota to 9-2 this season. Detroit dropping to the Payments has the Vikings’ magic quantity within the NFC North down to 2, which means they might clinch the division as quickly as Week 13. 

The star was Justin Jefferson, whose 9 catches for 139 yards and a landing continued his surge into the NFL MVP dialog. He made two spectacular catches, each in double protection, that arrange a pair of Minnesota touchdowns. 

It was his catch within the fourth quarter that gained 36 yards and set the stage for a Kirk Cousins-to-Adam Thielen 15-yard landing on the subsequent play, which proved to be the game-winning rating. 

Jefferson’s catch and Thielen’s landing had been solely potential as a result of New England was known as for a working into the kicker penalty, erasing a defensive cease and holding Minnesota’s drive alive. It took Minnesota simply three performs to take benefit and rating. 

New England’s offense, which had two offensive touchdowns in its previous three video games, shredded Minnesota’s protection the primary three quarters however was then shut down within the fourth quarter. The Patriots scored on six of seven possessions to begin the evening however within the fourth quarter they punted twice, turned it over downs after which ran out of time on their closing drive. 

Adam Thielen caught a season-high 9 passes for 61 yards and the aforementioned go-ahead landing. T.J. Hockenson had 5 catches for 43 yards and a landing. 

Kirk Cousins, regardless of an overthrow for an interception within the first half, completed 30-of-37 for 299 yards and three touchdowns. 

Minnesota’s speeding assault did nothing however kill time. Dalvin Cook dinner had 42 yards on 23 carries and the Vikings had simply 57 yards on the bottom as a staff. 

Minnesota took a 7-0 lead on a gap drive landing from Cousins to Jefferson and the sport was tied 16-16 on the half earlier than New England went 75 yards on their opening drive of the third quarter, with Mac Jones discovering Hunter Henry for a 37-yard landing and a 23-16 lead. 

It was all Vikings from there, outscoring the Patriots 17-3 over the ultimate 25 minutes, 54 seconds. 

Up subsequent: Vikings vs. Jets, Sunday, Dec. 4 at 12 p.m.