Vikings get big days from Jefferson, Hockenson, beat Giants 27-24 on Greg Joseph 61-yard FG

MINNEAPOLIS - Justin Jefferson made more history, T.J. Hockenson had a career day and a historic kick from Greg Joseph got the Minnesota Vikings a 27-24 win over the New York Giants to end the home regular season in a "White Out" at U.S. Bank Stadium on Christmas Eve.

Jefferson’s first catch of the day went for 25 yards late in the first quarter, and put the third-year receiver in the record books. He passed former Vikings’ legend Randy Moss for yards in a single season. Moss recorded 1,632 yards in the 2003, in 16 games. Jefferson, in his 15th game, finished with 12 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown. He now has 123 catches for 1,756 yards, both single-season franchise records.

"We got the W. Got the record, we played pretty well so a lot of things are going pretty good. It’s very difficult to be in competition with him and break the records that he has set. To actually do it, being close last year, it’s definitely God’s blessing. But it’s more than just me," Jefferson said.

Jefferson could chase down Calvin Johnson’s NFL record of 1,964 in 2012. He needs 209 yards over the final two games to get there.

No receiver has ever gotten 2,000 yards in a regular season, and that’s a goal for Jefferson. He needs 244 yards to get that.

"Any time you’re breaking a record that was held by a guy named Randy Moss, you’re doing something special," quarterback Kirk Cousins said.

Hockenson had a single-game career-high 13 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Jefferson and Hockenson combined for 25 catches, 242 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings now have 11 wins that have either come down to the last play, or have been within one possession in the fourth quarter. They were 6-8 in such games last year.

"I feel good, man. This is truly a blessing to be here with this group of guys, be in this locker room, have a little fun after these games. Hopefully we won’t make it super close on one of these, but it’s a blast to be here. I love i," Hockenson said.

The finish came down to Joseph, who drilled a kick from 61 yards out to send the Vikings to a 12-3 record with two games to play. It's his career-long, and the longest made field goal in franchise history. It's about as far back as O'Connell wanted to go.

"Right about that line. I looked over at Greg and could just see he had a great look in his eye. He absolutely hammered that kick. Really proud of Greg and our whole team could feel it in the locker room," O'Connell said.

Joseph said he went as far back as 58 yards during pregame warm-ups. After some struggles outside of 50 yards earlier this season, he relished the chance for a game-winner. It's his second straight walk-off kick, after beating the Colts in overtime last week to clinch the NFC North Division title.

"I appreciate the trust and confidence coach has to put me out there," Joseph said. "That felt really good off the foot. I knew, but I still watch it. I just know it felt good. I wanted the opportunity and I was ready for the opportunity."

The Vikings finish the home schedule 8-1, and will be back at U.S. Bank Stadium for at least one home playoff game. They still have a chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first round bye, after the Eagles lost to the Cowboys on Saturday.

Dalvin Cook also moved up to third all-time in Vikings rushing yards, passing Chuck Foreman, after getting seven carries for 40 yards in the first half. He’s behind only Adrian Peterson and Robert Smith. He finished with 14 carries for 64 yards.

The Vikings scored the game’s first 10 points, then the Giants answered with 13 straight before the game turned. Cousins was intercepted in the third quarter, but the play was overturned after a review showed the ball hit the ground. The drive ended with Cousins hitting Hockenson over two Giants's defenders for a touchdown, and a 17-13 Vikings' lead in the fourth quarter.

Josh Mettelus blocked a Giants' put, setting up Minnesota's next score. On 3rd-and-10, Cousins hit Jefferson from 17 yards out over the middle for a touchdown and 24-16 lead with three minutes to play. Jefferson made the catch for a first down, then fought to get to the goal line. 

Jefferson got "MVP" chants from the crowd throughout the game. If he gets to 2,000 yards, it might his honor to lose.

"I just told him after that third down catch it’s a pleasure and an honor to coach a player like that, can show up in the biggest moments. One of his best routes that I’ve seen him run, and he’s run of lot of great ones," O'Connell said. "I just told him he’s a special player and I absolutely love him to death. It’s never a bad thing to tell somebody you love them."

The Giants answered, with Saquon Barkley scoring from 27 yards out on 4th-and-2 as the Vikings' defense blitzed. The Giants also got the two-point conversion to tie the game 24-24, setting up the heroics for Joseph. Cousins finished the day 34-of-48 for 299 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, Brian Asamoah forced and recovered a Giants’ fumble. Patrick Peterson intercepted Daniel Jones, Danielle Hunter had two sacks and DJ Wonnum and Kyiris Tonga got a half sack each.

The Vikings allowed 445 total yards as Jones threw for 334 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But the Giants were just 3-for-11 on third down, and the Vikings forced two turnovers. In the key situations, Minnesota's defense made the play.

"Our guys, to be able to play with a quieted mind and understand the situation, maybe the best execution all day in those moments and that’s a theme for our team. Now what we’ve got to do is find a way to create that kind of urgency and execution level throughout four quarters," O'Connell said. "Every week in this league it’s a grind to win games."

The Vikings (12-3) end the regular season with games at the Packers and Bears, still working to solidify the No. 2 seed for the NFC Playoffs. The question now is are they a team of destiny that can make a playoff run?

"The NFL stands for not for long, and people move on, I kind of felt that this is a special group and there’s a time sensitivity here. We’ve got to do it now," Cousins said. "We have a great locker room, I don’t think anybody cares when you’re not winning. I’ve just been grateful that we’ve been finding the inches this year and that’s been able to show through the chemistry we’ve got."