SEATTLE — Everything the Vikings want to accomplish is still right in front of them after digging deep on Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field and walking away with a 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
It was, unquestionably, the most entertaining game the Vikings have played so far this season, highlighted by quarterback Sam Darnold continuing to play the position as well as anybody in the NFL.
There were also a number of other standouts from the win that has the Vikings in position to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Here are five takeaways from the Vikings’ 27-24 win over the Seahawks:
Sam Darnold was clutch once again
After walking into the huddle with 4:21 left, trailing in the game, Darnold added another impressive drive to his resume. He started it off by completing a short pass to star receiver Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard gain to get the ball rolling.
Not long after that, Darnold noticed that Jefferson had adjusted his route on the fly, and he found him with a perfectly placed ball downfield. It went down as a 39-yard touchdown and gave the Vikings a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
In total, Darnold completed 22 of 35 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Justin Jefferson took over the game
It’s fitting that Jefferson was the recipient of the touchdown that proved to be the difference considering he absolutely took over. He was a force to be reckoned with for the Vikings, finishing with 10 catches for 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Though his touchdown in the final minutes will go down as the story of the game, his touchdown early in the game was also a memorable moment. After catching a pass in the corner of the end zone, Jefferson busted out “The Griddy” like he usually does when he scores. He apparently made too much eye contact with a defender while doing it and got flagged for taunting.
Let’s just say Jefferson got his revenge later in the game.
The defense showed its depth
The absence of veteran safety Harrison Smith was felt throughout the game as the Vikings rotated reserve safeties Theo Jackson and Bobby McCain. The rotation came with safety Josh Metellus playing almost exclusively as a linebacker in the box.
The depth was on display on the final drive of the game as Jackson came up with a huge interception to seal the deal for the Vikings. The ability to step up when called upon is something coach Kevin O’Connell has consistently preached this season.
It sounds like Smith will be available for the Vikings next week when they host the Green Bay Packers. There’s also a chance Smith’s return could coincide with linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. being activated from injured reserve.
Will Reichard was perfect
If there was any doubt about rookie kicker Will Reichard since returning from injured reserve, he’s put that to rest over the past few weeks. He was perfect in extremely tough conditions for the Vikings, finishing 2 for 2 on field goals, and 3 for 3 on extra points.
Impressively, the field goals from Reichard came from 52 yards away and 48 yards away, and he also nailed a lengthy extra point after the aforementioned taunting penalty from Jefferson in the end zone.
A couple of costly drops on defense
There were a couple of drops on defense that could’ve changed the complexion of the game for the Vikings.
There was an chance for cornerback Shaq Griffin to record an interception in the red zone against his former team, as well as a chance for linebacker Blake Cashman to record an interception and perhaps return it for a big gain.
On both occasions, Griffin and Cashman dropped the ball.
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