Vikings Bounce Back in Close Thanksgiving Night Win over Patriots

Minnesota bounced back this week in a BIG way!!!

Final: New England Patriots 26 Minnesota Vikings 33
Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 30/37 299 yds 8.1 avg 3 TD 1 INT 116.1 rtg

RB:
D. Cook 22 car 42 yds 1.9 avg 6 long (4 rec 14 yds 3.5 avg)
A. Mattison 3 11 yds 3.7 avg 8 long

WR:
J. Jefferson 9 rec 139 yds 15.4 avg 1 TD 37 long (1 pass 11 yds)
A. Thielen 8 rec 61 yds 6.8 avg 1 TD 16 long
TJ Hockensen 5 rec 43 yds 8.6 avg 1 TD 14 long
J. Reagor 1 rec 25 yds 25.0 avg 25 long
J. Mundt 2 rec 20 yds 10.0 avg 23 long
KJ Osborn 1 rec 8 yds 8.0 avg 8 long

DEF:
J. Hicks 1 sack
D. Hunter 1 sack
R. Blacklock 1 sack

S/T:
K. Nwangwu 5 returns 166 yds 1 TD (97 yds)

K:
G. Joseph 2/2 FG (30, 36) 3/4 XP

Game Summary:
Minnesota really needed a win tonight after last weeks lack of effort. The Vikings answered that call, but it did take a little while to figure that out. Both teams managed scores in the 1st quarter. New England led going into the 2nd quarter after a late field goal. In the second quarter, the teams went toe to toe. After the Vikings had a statement touchdown with around 1:30 left in the 2nd quarter, the Patriots marched down for a field goal to tie it into halftime. 
In the second half it was much of the same. Neither defense could seem to get a stop, it was just long drawn out offensive scoring drives. However, it was bleak at one point when New England scored out of the break. Then Kene Nwangwu takes the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for the score! It was the Vikings first kick return TD of the season and first since Nwangwu's last TD last season. The Patriots took the lead with 6:43 left in the 3rd quarter on a 25 yard field goal. Minnesota then took over and drove down the field but was unable to score a touchdown and kicked another field goal, this time from 36 yards to tie it again. Then the game went on. Minnesota's defense finally got a stop and forced a punt. Minnesota had the ball and looked like they were going to stall just before midfield. On the punt, a Patriots rusher ran into the kicking leg of Vikings rookie punter Ryan Wright and caused a 10 yard penalty which gave Minnesota a first down. From there, Minnesota drove down and scored what would be the game-winning touchdown to Adam Thielen! It wasn't over yet though. New England got the ball and drove down the field but couldn't manage anything and punted back. Minnesota took some time off the clock but not quite enough. New England tried again but had to punt. Minnesota this time went 3 and out and the Patriots got the ball with around a minute to go in the game. However, on the first play of the drive the Vikings got their 2nd sack of the game that was almost a safety. Then the Patriots tossed it to the sideline but Patrick Peterson pulled him down in bounds to pretty much keep the Vikings going. Then the next pass was in the middle of the field and the game ended.
This was the first ever Thanksgiving game Minnesota has hosted, and it was a one to remember!

Playoff Picture
Minnesota currently sits at 9-2 in 2nd place in the NFC with the Eagles at first. The closest team after that is 3rd place San Francisco who currently leads the NFC West at 6-4. Then Tampa Bay rounds out the division leaders at 5-5 in the NFC South. The wildcards currently consist of Dallas at 8-3 in 5th place, New York at 7-4 in 6th place, and then Seattle at 6-4 in the final wildcard spot of 7th. Washington, Atlanta, and Detroit are the first three teams on the outside looking in. 
As far as the division goes, the Vikings are in the drivers seat. I believe they could clinch the division title by next weekend. With their win tonight, it eliminates Chicago from NFC North contention. I believe Green Bay would only be one more week away from that as well if things go as we hope.

Up Next
Next Sunday, the Vikings will take on the New York Jets at home. Kickoff is set for 12 PM CT.

​#SKOL