Vikings get to .500 with win over Jets
The Minnesota Vikings went into Giants’ Stadium Sunday with a dim chance of making the playoffs as a Wildcard team this season. They have won five of their last seven games and are the outside looking into the playoff picture with a 5-6 record. Sunday’s game against the New York Jets was a must win and the Vikings delivered with a 17-10 victory.
The Vikings’ defense has been underperforming this season. They are usually among the league’s best, but this year they have failed in crucial moments in a game. Today, they delivered. Led by DT John Randle, the Vikings’ defense pummeled Jets’ QB Neil O’Donnell. They sacked him six times and held the Jets to just 281 total yards. Randle had 2.5 sacks himself.
On the offensive side, the Vikings barometer player had a good game…running back Robert Smith. When Smith has a good game, the Vikings usually win, and he had 109 yards on 18 carries in this game.
Vikings’ QB Brad Johnson threw for 206 yards on 19 of 37 passing with 2 TDs and no INTs. WR Chris Carter had five catches for 51 yards and Jake Reed had four catches for 49 yards. TE Andrew Glover and WR David Palmer had the TD receptions.
As for the Jets, they want to rely on their defense and running game. The defense didn’t get any sacks and didn’t get any turnovers, while the offensive running game mustered only 75 yards of rushing. QB Neil O’Donnell struggled with 248 yards on 19 of 38 passing. RB Adrian Murrell was held to just 69 yards.
The Vikings have a huge game next Monday Night as they host the World Champion Packers. The Vikings need this victory to have any chance at a playoff berth. The Jets, now 7-5, need a victory in Buffalo next Sunday to stay in the AFC Wildcard race.
Bob, I vividly remember the ending of the actual game with the Jets goal-line stop. I must congratulate you on conducting a first-class replay.
Thanks. It has been a lot of fun.