SEATTLE — The Minnesota Vikings celebrated their eighth consecutive win on Sunday, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 at Lumen Field, solidifying their position as serious contenders for the NFC's top seed.
Quarterback Sam Darnold shone by throwing three touchdown passes, two of which went to star receiver Justin Jefferson, who finished the game with 10 catches for 148 yards. With this victory, the Vikings improved to 13-2, closely trailing the Detroit Lions for the top record.
The game turned out to be pulsatile, especially near the end. With 4:21 left on the clock, Darnold found himself trailing 24-20 after the Seahawks managed to score and take the lead. The pressure mounted as he led his team downfield, benefitting from timely calls, including a key 15-yard facemask penalty against the Seahawks.
With just under four minutes remaining, Darnold stepped up amid pressure and threw a deep ball to Jefferson, who made the catch just short of the goal line. That play was pivotal, allowing Darnold to throw his third touchdown pass to put the Vikings back on top 27-24.
“I just focused on executing and keeping my composure,” said Darnold after the game. “When the game was on the line, we needed to score and I knew Justin would make the play.”
On the Seahawks’ subsequent possession, Seattle quarterback Geno Smith managed to throw for over 300 yards, but his attempts to connect with his receivers faltered, and he was picked off by safety Theo Jackson, sealing the game for the Vikings.
The Vikings controlled the early parts of the game, opening with a strong 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped off by Darnold’s 5-yard pass to Jordan Addison. The early momentum seemed to favor the Vikings, allowing them to take a 7-0 lead.
After both teams exchanged drives and touchdowns, the Vikings expanded their lead to 17-7 with another touchdown grab by Jefferson and proceed to make it 20-17 with Will Reichard’s field goal. The Seahawks, undeterred, kept battling back, with Smith throwing touchdown passes to DK Metcalf and AJ Barner, the latter giving the Seahawks a narrow 24-20 lead.
Despite the anxiety of having to reclaim the lead, Darnold's calm under pressure spoke volumes about his leadership. This victory not only keeps the Vikings' hopes alive for the NFC's top seed, but it also marks Kevin O'Connell's achievement as the first Vikings coach to secure multiple 13-win seasons.
The Seahawks, now 8-7, have lost two straight games after enjoying a four-game winning streak. They now face increasing pressure to clinch their playoff spot, trailing the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC West.
Looking forward, Darnold emphasized the importance of focus as they gear up for the upcoming games against Green Bay and Detroit. “Every game matters now more than ever, but we’re confident we've got what it takes,” Darnold stated.
With the stakes only getting higher, the Vikings are determined to maintain their momentum and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They’ve proven to be resilient, displaying not just remarkable skill, but also the tenacity to come through when the margins are thin.
Next week, the Vikings will host the Green Bay Packers, with hopes of extending their win streak and inching closer to solidifying their playoff positioning.
