Seattle Seahawks (8-7) – Minnesota Vikings (13-2): 24-27
While Seattle had taken the advantage for the first time on the previous drive, Sam Darnold (22/35, 246 yards, 3 TDs) decided to hit a huge blow! Manhandled by the Seattle defense all match, the Vikings quarterback launched a huge bomb for Justin Jefferson (10 rec, 144 yards, 2 TD) 40 yards further 3 minutes from the end. The Vikings regain the advantage and will not let go.
How hard it was for Minnesota (3-12 in the 3rd attempt!) who had to count on a huge Justin Jefferson. And on this brilliance from Sam Darnold. Geno Smith ((31/43, 315 yards 3 TD, 2 int) did what he could but the two ball losses are unforgiving.
Geno Smith, surgical
In the first half, the two teams responded well but it was the defenses that shined. Sam Darnold is quickly put under pressure by the Seahawks but holds on. As usual, Jordan Addison (5 recs, 35 yards, 1 TD) and Justin Jefferson are there with a touchdown each.
On the Seahawks side, we obviously see DK Metcalf (3 recs, 57 yards, 1 TD), author of a touchdown and several good receptions. At 1 minute 25 before the break, the Vikings lead 17-7, helped by an interception from Geno Smith, who was out injured last week. Seattle then releases a drive model: 5 actions, 88 yards and a touchdown at the end for Jaxon Smith-Njigba (8 rec, 95 yards, 1 TD). All in 1 minute 5. Surgical. 17-14 for the Vikings returning to the locker room.
The brilliant inspiration of Sam Darnold
It's Geno Smith who has the ball returning to the field. He almost gets intercepted but advances enough for a field goal and Seattle comes back to 17-17. As in the first half, the defenses made the attacks suffer. The Vikings regain a 3-point lead but, apart from Justin Jefferson, the ball advances with difficulty.
For the Seahawks, it’s complicated too. Geno Smith came close to interception several times and had great difficulty resisting the blitzes launched by Brian Flores. We need a fake punt at the end of 3e quarter to try to continue the drive, a drive which will end with a sack 3 plays later.
Finally, everything comes to a head in the last quarter with these two touchdowns. The Seahawks have two balls to then come back but miss a 60-yard field goal and Geno Smith is intercepted again by Theo Jackson. Minnesota is tied atop the NFC with the Lions at 13-2. One of these two teams will finish in 5e conference venue.
