Jets @ Vikings
Final Score: Vikings 27, Jets 22
Writer: Brennan Rampe ( @phdinnfl on Twitter)
This is just a standard week for the Vikings. This was their ninth win of the season which was by eight points or fewer, and it was as stressful as ever. The Vikings scored a field goal on their opening drive, giving them 51 points on opening drives this season, tops in the NFL. The Jets tied the score on the subsequent possession. After trading punts, the Vikings embarked on a 14-play, 74-yard drive that was nearly seven minutes. It resulted in a Dalvin Cook touchdown to make it 10-3.
On their next possession, the Vikings once again had a lengthy scoring drive, going 86 yards on 11 plays, highlighted by a 38-yard pass to Jalen Reagor. Alexander Mattison ended the drive with a touchdown run, making the score 17-3. It seemed like the game would be a blowout. The teams traded field goals before the end of the first half with the Vikings leading 20-6. New York came storming out of the locker room with three consecutive drives that ended in field goals. Those field goals cut Minnesota’s lead to 20-15.
The Vikings answered on their fourth possession, going 75 yards in seven plays. It culminated in a touchdown to Justin Jefferson, making it 27-15. After the touchdown, stress levels skyrocketed. The Jets answered with a touchdown drive that spanned 75 yards and 5 plays, none bigger than the first play of the drive, where rookie running back Zonovan Knight had a 48-yard run. The one-yard Mike White touchdown run on fourth and goal was the subject of a lengthy review after initially being ruled short. The Vikings led 27-22 at this point.
I was preparing for a heartbreaking loss, especially as Minnesota answered New York’s touchdown with a three-and-out. The Jets proceeded to march down the field from their own 16-yard line to the Minnesota 1-yard line. Three consecutive plays from the 1-yard line were thwarted by the Vikings’ defense, who truly embody the “bend but don’t break” philosophy. Taking over at their own 1-yard line, the Vikings did absolutely nothing and had to punt out of their own end zone, giving the ball back to the Jets at midfield with a chance to win. They got all the way to the Minnesota 19-yard line before Camryn Bynum intercepted Mike White to seal the win.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Mike White: 31/57, 369 Yards, 2 INT | 3 Carries, 7 Yards, TD
Mike White started for the second straight week and he looked fantastic again. He has been going up against two awful secondaries, but he threw for over 300 yards once again. He looks like something Zach Wilson hasn’t been all season, and that’s competent. He had a lot of deep passes that he was able to complete. His arm strength and accuracy were on display, and his teammates love White. The team just seems to play a lot better with him in the lineup. He also ran for a touchdown on fourth down, which looked as if he didn’t make it before officials confirmed the score. His first interception was off of a tip, and the second one was on fourth down with the game on the line. As long as he plays like this, Zach Wilson won’t see the field for New York anytime soon. However, I feel he might already be finished with his play and lack of accountability.
TEAMWORK!!!#MINvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/bYqfQrxCnN
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 4, 2022
Running Back
Zonovan Knight: 15 Carries, 90 Yards | 5 Targets, 5 Receptions, 28 Yards
James Robinson: 4 Carries, 10 Yards
Ty Johnson: 1 Carry, 3 Yards | 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 38 Yards
Rookie running back Zonovan Knight got the start with Breece Hall out for the season and Michael Carter ruled out. He looked pretty good, rushing for 90 yards. 48 of those yards came on one run which resulted in New York’s only touchdown. He also caught all five of his targets and had 28 receiving yards. He had over 100 yards from scrimmage, so it was a successful start for him. James Robinson was mostly a non-factor but did run for first downs. Ty Johnson didn’t do much running but caught six of his seven targets.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Garrett Wilson: 15 Targets, 8 Receptions, 162 Yards
Elijah Moore: 1 Carry, 10 Yards | 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards
Corey Davis: 10 Targets, 5 Receptions, 85 Yards
Braxton Berrios: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
Tyler Conklin: 7 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
C.J. Uzomah: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 31 Yards
The Jets have a long history of drafting busts, but their rookie draft class has been very successful. Rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson looks legit. He scored two touchdowns last week, and although he didn’t score this week, he had 162 yards. Today, he looked like the best wide receiver on the field. He had a spectacular 60-yard catch and run that set up one of New York’s many field goals.
Corey Davis was the second-leading wide receiver and had an unbelievable catch on fourth down on one drive. Former Viking Tyler Conklin didn’t do much in his return to Minnesota, and C.J. Uzomah caught his lone target for 31 yards. The Jets should get him involved more, as he was rather productive during his time with the Bengals.
.@GarrettWilson_V GOING HERO MODE #ProBowlVote#NYJvsMIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/jgts5bj3oy
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 4, 2022
THAT'S BIG @TheCDavis84 @MikeWhiteQB#NYJvsMIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/LabyZsasK6
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 4, 2022
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: 21/35, 173 Yards, TD | 3 Carries, 9 Yards
Kirk Cousins was rather average in this game. It was the defense that secured the victory for Minnesota as Cousins threw for less than 200 yards. He had several overthrows of open wide receivers and tight ends. He had no turnovers, but Cousins is having a mediocre statistical season by his standards. He stayed in the pocket and took several big hits while throwing passes. The stats haven’t been great for him, but all that matters is wins.
Running Back
Dalvin Cook: 20 Carries, 86 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, -3 Yards
Alexander Mattison: 3 Carries, 14 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 4 Yards
Dalvin Cook, after being contained by the Patriots last week, had much more success in this game. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry against a talented Jets defensive line. He had some explosive runs which resulted in first downs. He scored the first touchdown of the game for the Vikings. Alexander Mattison contributed with a touchdown of his own.
Making moves and finding the paint. #ProBowlVote @DalvinCook
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/6aoNqUXYsL
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 4, 2022
Don't know what's better the TD or the celebration.#ProBowlVote @AlexMattison22
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/8idNwGT6j1
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 4, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Justin Jefferson: 2 Carries, 11 Yards | 11 Targets, 7 Receptions, 45 Yards, TD
Adam Thielen: 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 27 Yards
K.J. Osborn: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Jalen Reagor: 1 Carry, 8 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 38 Yards
Johnny Mundt: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
T.J. Hockenson: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 33 Yards
It’s not often that Justin Jefferson gets contained by a secondary, but it happened today. He made several key plays, including a touchdown reception. He also drew two holding calls and one personal foul. Adam Thielen was shut out until late in the game but his 25-yard reception on the final touchdown drive by the Vikings was a thing of beauty. Though the rest of the wide receivers and tight ends didn’t have big numbers, they all had key conversions on drives.
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ynxTgbUoeI
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 4, 2022