MINNEAPOLIS -A game packed with highlights that included highlight plays, players from the Minnesota Vikings held off the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving night, winning 33-26.
Both teams scored in the first half, and there was an exciting kickoff return touchdown scored by the Vikings as a response to the Patriots score in the second period.
The Vikings climb to 9-2 for the year, while the Patriots fall to 6-5.
Minnesota Vikings
Following one of the most devastating home defeats of team history The Viking took exactly the path they planned to do on Thursday night: Get over the loss.
Their win over the Patriots was a lot easier to take in the 37-point loss they suffered just four days before against their rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, one that was a snafu over the possibility of them being one of the top NFL teams.
In beating the Patriots by a score of 2-0, the Vikings won their second game against a team that has an unbeaten record over the last three games. If someone had told you that the Vikings were going to defeat each of the Patriots as well as beat the Buffalo Bills in a three-week period what do you think of them? An argument that is reasonable could be made that indeed, they’re one of the most successful players of the NFL.
As crucial as the Cowboys match that player Justin Jefferson called “embarrassing” and “a tragedy all around” is best viewed as an accident instead of a comprehensive analysis of the Vikings the future.
The Vikings will be given 10 days of preparation for the next match in their home stadium with The New York Jets, as they are closing in on winning an NFC North title and remain in the hunt for the top NFC seed.
Define the game in two words It was extremely close. The Vikings were in the lead three instances during the game, but lost it twice and, in all, they were tied to the Patriots five times. These kinds of games are rare within the NFL. Based on ESPN Stats & Information, this was only the second time in seven seasons that the score was tied at least five occasions.
Breakdown of QBs: Kirk Cousins threw a poor interception in the opening quarter, and a throw from his back foot, which flew well past receiver K.J. Osborn however, he did not commit any other major mistakes in the prime-time match. He had 30 completions that was the most of any player against the Patriots this season. He completed 37 attempts, resulting in 299 yards with two touchdowns. He also helped his fellow Vikings to their win by throwing a perfect 36-yard run throw to Jefferson before finding Adam Thielen in the open field for a 15-yard touchdown.
The pivotal game: Returner Kene Nwangwu brought back a kickoff of 97 yards for an touchdown in the third quarter. This was his first touchdown of the season following his return two times for scores when he was a rookie last season. The return matched the Patriots touchdown from the previous play, and put the score at 23. This was an important emotional shift that allowed the Vikings to stay clear of a possible snowstorm. The Patriots were among the teams that could challenge Nwangwu in the current season. He started in the match with 19 return throughout the season, which is a lot considering that many teams have been going deep for touchbacks. However, Nwangwu scored five goals against the Patriots by himself.
Next game Next game: against. Jets (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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New England Patriots
The Patriots struggled in the red zone on offense returned to haunt them last evening against Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota Vikings.
They went 0 for 3 within the 20-yard line, which is the league’s red zone that is ranked last in defense. The Vikings were just 3 of 5.
Ballgame.
There’s much more than this, but until Patriots come up with solutions to transform these issues to points will scuttle their chances of making an effort to make it to the playoffs. QB Mac Jones had talked about trying to “flip the switch” in the red zone, however it didn’t happen in the game against Vikings.
A critical call in the 3rd quarter that was reverted in replay by the referee Alex Kemp — when Jones initially appeared to be able to connect to tight end Hunter Henry for a touchdown — was an important factor in the team’s deficiency of red zone performance.
The biggest hole in the game’s plan of attack The situation is the same as the game plan of most teams who play the Vikings playing in the back of the receiver Justin Jefferson. He was a rout of the Patriots (9 receptions 1,139 yards, and one TD) and proved why he’s among the NFL’s top receivers.
The game can be described in two words”Playoff caliber. It was a great atmosphere in U.S. Bank Stadium and two teams who went toe-to-toe.
QB breakdown Jones was in his finest form of football this yearespecially when he attacked on the sideline. He played 5 of 5 for 153 yards with two touchdowns when throwing over 15 or more yards. In the first seven games of this season, he scored one touchdown total on throws more than 15 yards.
A promising trend: The offensive line — which included the left-hand tackle Trent Brown, left guard Cole Strange, center James Ferentz Right guard Mike Onwenu, and right guard Yodny Cajuste -gave Jones with the most effective pass defense the team has ever seen. As a result, Jones looked like a different quarterback.
A stat that’s not on the radar that’s important The Patriots have allowed five first-downs through penalties, which is matching their highest total in a single game over the last three seasons. This is their highest since Week 11 of the 2019 season against Philadelphia (also 5).
Next game: vs. Bills (8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday)
