Minnesota Vikings (10-2) – New York Jets (7-5): 27-22
Often, an NFL game is played to not much. New proof this Sunday in Minnesota, where the Jets were very close to snatching victory after a big comeback in the second half. What was missing in New York? Efficiency, and a small yard.
A 100% Vikings second quarter
Reviving the Jets’ offense last week, quarterback Mike White (31/57 passing, 369 YDS, 2 INT, 1 TD on the ground) was intercepted on the first drive of the game by safety Harrison Smith. Enough to put the Vikings on the right track but the New York defense held on to limit Minnesota to three points. The Jets then manage to equalize on the following series thanks in particular to a good reception from Corey Davis (5 REC, 85 YDS), which opens the way to a field goal (3-3).
It’s really in the second quarter that the Vikings put the top gear. After a complicated start to the game for Kirk Cousins (21/35, 173 YDS, 1 TD) against the solid defense of the Jets, Minnesota goes through its running game before finding a good alternation with the aerial game, while being helped by several penalties. Effective on third attempts, the Vikings drive 14 games for 74 yards with a touchdown at the end signed Dalvin Cook (20 races, 86 YDS, 1 TD) (10-3).
On their next drive, rebelote. But while all eyes are on the match-up Justin Jefferson – Sauce Gardner, it’s Jalen Reagor who stands out with a big reception from 38 yards, just after a good race from Cousins to snatch a first down. And then it was runner Alexander Mattison who made the difference with a 14-yard touchdown (17-3). It is on this same gap, but with an additional field goal on each side, that the two teams join the locker room (20-6).
The Jets hang on, but crash
The third quarter is dominated by the Jets, who tighten the bolts in defense by putting Cousins under pressure and with an attack which spends almost ten minutes on the ground. Mike White notably makes several big plays with his tight end CJ Uzomah and especially rookie receiver Garrett Wilson (8 REC, 162 YDS), the problem is that New York is unable to complete his drives. A first field goal, then a second, then a third. Admittedly, this reduces the gap to 20-15 but Robert Saleh’s men are still behind.
Did the Jets miss their chance? That’s what you tell yourself when Kirk Cousins suddenly finds his rhythm at the start of the fourth quarter. The Vikings quarterback connects well with his targets, including Adam Thielen who was previously invisible, before serving Justin Jefferson (7 REC, 45 YDS, 1 TD) who takes over DJ Reed in the end zone (27- 15).
But this New York team never gives up. A big 48-yard run by Zonovan Knight (15 carries, 90 YDS) followed by a defensive penalty allows the Jets to be close to the end zone in just two games, and this time Mike White reaches the promised land (27 -22). A defensive stop later, New York has a golden opportunity to take the lead: on a fourth and 10, White finds Corey Davis for the first down and advances the attack just a yard from the opposing end zone. Yard that New Yorkers will never be able to cross: a futile race and two incomplete passes, Mike White can hold his head with both hands.
The Jets certainly manage to recover the ball for a last chance in the last minute of the game, but without success. On his 57th and final pass of the match, White was intercepted by Camryn Bynum. Game-over.
