By Michael-Shawn Dugar, Alec Lewis and Chris Licata
A late 39-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson was the difference on Sunday as the Minnesota Vikings knocked off the Seattle Seahawks 27-24.
The win marked the Vikings’ 31st one-score game dating back to 2021 — the most in the NFL — and pulled Kevin O’Connell’s squad back into a tie with the Detroit Lions atop the NFC North at 13-2. Meanwhile, Seattle entered Sunday with a 28 percent chance to make the postseason, according to The Athletic’s playoff projection model, but those odds took a hit.
Now winners of eight straight, the Vikings only managed 298 yards of total offense but they made the most of them. Jefferson accounted for nearly half of them and two touchdowns against the Seahawks’ 12th-ranked passing defense.
Geno Smith and Co. had two opportunities to tie or take the lead in the final minutes, but those drives ended in a missed 60-yard field goal and an interception that was intended for DK Metcalf.
DARNOLD TO JETTAS. VIKINGS RE-TAKE THE LEAD.
📺: #MINvsSEA on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/67RQyrb9vP— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Darnold met the moment
For those who have not watched the Vikings and Darnold this season, the sequence that explains all of it happened in Seattle.
The Vikings trailed by four points. Their NFC North chances and No. 1 seed hopes hung in the balance. And Darnold, who had been limping a few plays earlier after taking a hit, and after struggling to hear O’Connell’s plays from the sidelines, climbed the pocket and kept his eyes up. Streaking down the left sideline was Jefferson. Darnold identified him and hurled the ball in his direction. Jefferson spun in the air, caught the pass and galloped into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.
It was success in the face of adversity. It was a quarterback meeting the moment. It was a quarterback lifting the team, as opposed to the other way around. Darnold finished with 246 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-35 passing, but that one throw — the game-winning throw — will stand as a signature snapshot of a special Vikings season and a special Darnold season. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Seahawks will need help to make the playoffs
Seattle gave away its chance to remain in a win-and-you’re-in scenario Sunday. At 8-7 with road games at the Bears and Rams remaining, the Seahawks need to win on Thursday in Chicago then root for an Arizona win over Los Angeles.
Both outcomes are possible, of course, but Seattle entered Week 15 with the ability control its own fate by beating the Packers and Vikings at home. They failed. Now, for the third straight year, Seattle’s fate rests in the hands of the other teams. — Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seahawks beat writer
Brian Flores’ defense had up-and-down day
The Vikings’ defense did not have the best of days. It was always going to be difficult without safety Harrison Smith, who is a key signal-caller on the defensive end, and who missed Sunday’s game with a foot injury. Safeties Bobby McCain and Theo Jackson replaced him, and the Vikings’ coverage struggled.
Smith diced the Vikings, especially underneath. He finished with 315 yards and three touchdowns on 31-of-43 passing. At times, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Metcalf caused serious problems for the Vikings’ corners, specifically Stephon Gilmore. Minnesota’s pass rush also made it tough for Seattle, leaving Smith with enough room at times. Ultimately, the Vikings secured a critical interception down the stretch, ensuring the Vikings’ go-ahead touchdown held. — Lewis
Vikings PICK to seal the game! #MINvsSEA pic.twitter.com/DAJnsq7TA2
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
Seattle couldn’t hold up late
The Seahawks reached this point of playing meaningful football in December largely by performing well in the clutch. They failed to do that against Minnesota, which went 70 yards in four plays to take the lead in the fourth quarter, then twice kept Seattle’s offense from scoring to end the game. The margins in the NFL are razor thin and late-game execution is the difference between giving your fans something to cheer for and losing consecutive games in front of them to finish 3-6 at home. — Dugar
Required reading
- NFL Week 16 scores and live updates: Playoff picture, standings, inactives, predictions, betting odds and more
- Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell leans on unlikely source for guidance: Hall of Famer Bill Cowher
- Whether it’s Geno Smith or Sam Howell, the Seahawks must support their QB better
(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
