Running back Kene Nwangwu of the Minnesota Vikings returns a kick for a touchdown in the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 24, 2022. /CFP
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the New England Patriots 33-26 in the NFL Thanksgiving Game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday, to continue to lead in the National Football Conference North with a 9-2 record.
The Vikings' quarterback (QB) Kirk Cousins completed 30 of his 37 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns (TDs). He still couldn't handle it well when facing pressure in the pocket. The interception he threw at 3:43 in the first quarter allowed cornerback Jonathan Jones to drive 55 yards for the Patriots.
The Patriots' QB Mac Jones passed 28-for-39 for 382 yards and two TDs with no interception, but his side had their own problems. For example, the team lacked consistency in making effective offensive calls. Mac Jones often had to do quick, short passes though he already showed threat in throwing deep, especially targeting the vacuum between linebackers and safety.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings passes in the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 24, 2022. /CFP
Moreover, neither Mac Jones nor Cousins was passionate in rushing out of the pocket and driving forward on the ground. Therefore, the offensive performances of the Patriots and Vikings relied a lot on the teammates of the two QBs.
That was where the Vikings have advantage with one of the league's best wide receivers Justin Jefferson, who was targeted by Cousins 11 times and completed nine catches for 139 yards and one TD. The 37-yard connection between the two at 10:26 in the fourth quarter paved the way for Cousins to find wide receiver Adam Thielen in the end zone for the game-winning TD.
By contrast, though Mac Jones could count on his teammates to do better in average receiving yards (13.6-10), the Patriots' special team made two costly mistakes in Thursday's game. First, punter Michael Palardy's punt at 10:41 in the third quarter was caught by running back Kene Nwangwu who then scored a 97-yard return TD. This shocking play plus kicker Greg Joseph's extra point tied the score 23-23 for the Vikings in less than 20 seconds.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson (front) runs with the ball in the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 24, 2022. /CFP
Then at 11:04 in the fourth quarter, the Vikings decided to punt at 4th & 3, but the Patriots' running back Pierre Strong Jr. rushed into the Vikings' punter Ryan Wright. The five-yard penalty granted the Vikings a first down, which later led to Thielen's scoring drive.
The Patriots are at the bottom of the American Football Conference East with a 6-5 record. In the other two games on Thursday, the Buffalo Bills edged the Detroit Lions 28-25; the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 28-20.