By Nicolas Meichel — December 4, 2022 10:36 pm
There was room for the Jets, just missing a small backyard.
Minnesota Vikings (10-2) – New York Jets (7-5): 27-22
Often, an NFL game doesn’t get played much. New test this Sunday in Minnesota, where the Jets were very close to snatching victory after a great comeback in the second half. What was missing in New York? Efficiency and a small courtyard.
A 100% Viking second quarter.
Reviving the Jets offense last week, quarterback Mike White (31/57 passes, 369 YDS, 2 INTs, 1 TD on the ground) was intercepted on the first drive of the game by safety Harrison Smith. Enough to put the Vikings on the right track, but New York’s defense held on to limit Minnesota to three runs. The Jets then manage to tie up on the next series thanks in particular to a good reception from Corey Davis (5 REC, 85 YDS), which paves the way for a field goal (3-3).
It is precisely in the second quarter that the Vikings put the highest gear. After a difficult start to the game for Kirk Cousins (21/35, 173 YDS, 1 TD) against the solid defense of the Jets, Minnesota makes its running game before finding a good alternation with the air game, despite being aided by several sanctions. Effective on third attempts, the Vikings lead 14 games for 74 yards with a touchdown to finish signed Dalvin Cook (20 games, 86 YDS, 1 TD) (10-3).
On their next trip, riot. But while all eyes are on the Justin Jefferson – Sauce Gardner match-up, it is Jalen Reagor who gets noticed with a great reception from 38 yards, immediately after a good run by Cousins to snatch a first down. And then it was runner Alexander Mattison who made the difference with a 14-yard touchdown run (17-3). It is on this same gap, but with an extra basket on each side, that the two teams enter the locker room (20-6).
The Jets hold on, but crash out
The third quarter is dominated by the Jets, who tighten the bolts on defense by putting pressure on Cousins and with an offense spending nearly ten minutes on the ground. Mike White notably makes several big plays with his tight end CJ Uzomah and especially rookie receiver Garrett Wilson (8 REC, 162 YDS), the problem is that New York is unable to complete its drives. A first basket, then a second, then a third. Admittedly this closes the gap to 20-15 but Robert Saleh’s men are still behind.
Did the Jets miss their chance? That’s what you tell yourself when Kirk Cousins suddenly finds his rhythm early in the fourth quarter. The Vikings quarterback connects well with his targets, including Adam Thielen who was previously invisible, before serving Justin Jefferson (7 REC, 45 YDS, 1 TD) for DJ Reed in the end zone (27-15) .
But this New York team never gives up. A big 48-yard run by Zonovan Knight (15 carries, 90 YDS) followed by a defensive penalty allows the Jets to be close to the end zone in just two plays, and this time Mike White reaches the promised land (27 -22) . A defensive stop later, New York has a golden opportunity to take the lead: on a fourth and 10, White finds Corey Davis for the first down and advances the attack only one meter from the opposing end zone. Construction site that New Yorkers will never be able to overcome: a futile run and two incomplete passes, Mike White manages to hold his head with both hands.
The Jets certainly manage to recover the ball for a last chance in the last minute of the game, but without success. On his 57th and final pass of the game, White was intercepted by Camryn Bynum. Game over.
