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Justin Jefferson scores game-winning TD as Vikings beat Seahawks 27-24 to go 13-2

Posted on December 23, 2024 - 1:48 am by

It felt like playoff football between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Lumen Field.

Justin Jefferson scores game-winning TD in Vikings' 27-24 win at Seattle | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

The Vikings are chasing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and the Seahawks are trying to stay with the L.A. Rams in the NFC West. With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, Minnesota went to its two offensive stars to leave Seattle with a 27-24 win, an eight-game win streak, a 13-2 record and a tie with the Detroit Lions in the NFC North Division with two games to play on a rainy day in Seattle

It’s the first Vikings’ win at Seattle since 2006.

“Doesn’t get much more grittier than that, playing in one of the hardest places to come play, dealing with some elements and just finding a way to win a game. That’s what this team has really been able to do all season long. It’s a hell of an accomplishment to win 13 in this league,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said after the win.



The big play

How it happened: Seattle had just scored a touchdown to take a 24-20 lead, its first of the game, with 4:21 to play in Geno Smith’s score to A.J. Barner. Sam Darnold, as he has most of the season, had the answer. He evaded pressure and hit Justin Jefferson for a 39-yard touchdown to give the Vikings a 27-24 lead with 3:51 to play. Jefferson twirled mid-air between two defenders, made the grab and scored. Another huge play in a huge moment.

O’Connell said his headset went out during the drive, and Darnold had to go to him on the sideline after a scramble to get the play call on Jefferson’s touchdown.



“Considering the circumstances and how that play came to life, for him to move up and throw the ball on the move with that kind of accuracy, to know where Justin was going to be in the moment was a remarkable play. It doesn’t get better than that,” O’Connell said. “Absolutely the play of the game, maybe even the season as well.”

“Felt like I just needed to give him a shot. Put it on his back hip and let him do the rest. My teammates being pumped up about it, wouldn’t expect anything less,” Darnold said.

Jefferson had 10 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Addison had five catches for 32 yards and a score. Darnold was 22-of-35 for 246 yards and three touchdowns, with no turnovers. In his last six games, he has 15 touchdowns and one interception. He has 32 touchdowns on the season, joining Kirk Cousins, Brett Favre, Randall Cunningham, Daunte Culpepper and Warren Moon as other Vikings’ quarterbacks to throw at least 30 touchdowns in a season.



Theo Jackson calls game

Defense makes big plays: The Seahawks still had a chance to force overtime with a field goal, getting the ball back with 1:55 to play. But Theo Jackson made sure that wouldn’t happen. Smith had a miscommunication with D.K. Metcalf, and Jackson intercepted the pass to seal the game. The defense celebrated with a dance from the Disney musical, “Camp Rock.”

Jackson got snaps Sunday with Harrison Smith unable to play due to a foot injury.

Dallas Turner also had an interception, and Andrew Van Ginkel added two sacks. He’s the first player since 1982 to have at least 10 sacks and two pick-6’s in a season. 



NFC North race heats up

The latest: The Chicago Bears gave the Vikings no help on Sunday, losing to the Detroit Lions 34-17 on Sunday, which means the Vikings and Lions are tied atop the NFC North at 13-3 with two games left. The Eagles lost to the Commanders on Sunday, so the Vikings can earn the top seed in the NFC and a first round bye with wins over the Packers and Lions to end the season.

“We can’t got 2-0 without going 1-0. We’ll talk next week,” O’Connell said.