Justin Jefferson scores game-winning TD as Vikings beat Seahawks 27-24 to go 13-2
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - It felt like playoff football between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Lumen Field.
The Vikings are chasing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and the Seahawks are trying to stay with the L.A. Rams in the NFC West. With the game on the line in the fourth quarter and less than four minutes to play, Kevin O'Connell turned to Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson to leave Seattle with a 27-24 win, an eight-game win streak, a 13-2 record and a tie with the Detroit Lions in the NFC North Division with two games to play on a rainy day in Seattle.
It's the first Vikings' win at Seattle since 2006. O'Connell is also the first coach in Vikings' history with multiple 13-win seasons in his career, and got a game ball from his players as part of the locker room celebration.
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"Doesn’t get much more grittier than that, playing in one of the hardest places to come play, dealing with some elements and just finding a way to win a game. That’s what this team has really been able to do all season long. It’s a hell of an accomplishment to win 13 in this league," O'Connell said after the win.
How it happened
The big play: Geno Smith had just hit A.J. Barner to give the Seahawks a 24-20 lead, it's first of the game, with 4:21 to play. Darnold, as he has most of the season, had the answer. He evaded pressure and hit Jefferson for a 39-yard touchdown with 3:51 to play to give the Vikings a 27-24 lead. Jefferson twirled mid-air between two defenders, made the grab and scored. Another huge play in a huge moment.
What the team said: O'Connell said his headset went out during the drive, and Darnold had to go to him on the sideline after a scramble to get the play call on Jefferson's touchdown.
"Considering the circumstances and how that play came to life, for him to move up and throw the ball on the move with that kind of accuracy, to know where Justin was going to be in the moment was a remarkable play. It doesn’t get better than that," O'Connell said. "Absolutely the play of the game, maybe even the season as well."
"Felt like I just needed to give him a shot. Put it on his back hip and let him do the rest. My teammates being pumped up about it, wouldn’t expect anything less," Darnold said.
"It was a great call, I’m not going to say too much about that call but something went on to where pretty much me and Sam was on the same page. Just found me and we went up," Jefferson said. "Not really a secret to it or a formula, it’s just going out there and making plays."
Jefferson had 10 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive teammate Josh Metellus was in awe after the game.
"It’s crazy because his stat line was insane, but that’s a normal day at the office. When he’s out there killing people, two touchdowns, 140-some yards, that’s normal. He’s the best player on the planet," Metellus said.
Jordan Addison had five catches for 32 yards and a score. Darnold was 22-of-35 for 246 yards and three touchdowns, with no turnovers. In his last six games, he has 15 touchdowns and one interception. He has 32 touchdowns on the season, joining Kirk Cousins, Brett Favre, Randall Cunningham, Daunte Culpepper and Warren Moon as other Vikings' quarterbacks to throw at least 30 touchdowns in a season.
Vikings do ‘Camp Rock’ dance after Theo Jackson INT
Another defensive celebration: The Seahawks still had a chance to force overtime with a field goal, getting the ball back with 1:55 to play. But Theo Jackson made sure that wouldn’t happen. Smith had a miscommunication with D.K. Metcalf, and Jackson intercepted the pass to seal the game. The defense celebrated with a dance from the Disney musical, "Camp Rock."
Jackson got snaps Sunday with Harrison Smith unable to play due to a foot injury.
Dallas Turner also had an interception, and Andrew Van Ginkel added two sacks. He’s the first player since 1982 to have at least 10 sacks and two pick-6’s in a season.
NFC North race heats up
The latest: The Chicago Bears gave the Vikings no help on Sunday, losing to the Detroit Lions 34-17, which means the Vikings and Lions are tied atop the NFC North at 13-2 with two games left. The Eagles lost to the Commanders, so the Vikings can earn the top seed in the NFC and a first round bye with wins over the Packers and Lions to end the season.
"We can’t got 2-0 without going 1-0. We’ll talk next week," O'Connell said.