The Minnesota Vikings held off the Seattle Seahawks in a 27-24 thriller on Sunday to keep pace in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs in a crucial game for each team’s playoff fate .
Minnesota took the lead with a touchdown on the opening drive and didn’t trail until a Seahawks touchdown was allowed with 4:21 left in the fourth quarter. But the Vikings answered with a 70-yard touchdown drive to regain the lead and secure the win, improving to 13-2.
Hectic last minutes
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith capped a 68-yard drive with a touchdown pass to AJ Barner in the back of the end zone, giving Seattle its first lead of the game at 24-20.
But Justin Jefferson made sure the Vikings wouldn’t leave Seattle without a win. On first-and-10 at the Seattle 39 with 3:58 to go, Jefferson broke free down the left sideline over the top of the Seattle secondary. He then adjusted his route and turned in the air to catch an underthrown ball from Sam Darnold before running into the end zone.
The touchdown was Jefferson’s second of the day in his most productive game of the season. He finished the day with 10 catches for a season-high 144 yards.
The Seahawks had a chance to tie the game on their ensuing drive. But Jason Myers’ 60-yard field goal attempt fell short.
The Seahawks then had one last chance after forcing a Vikings punt with 1:01 remaining. But Smith threw an interception to Theo Jackson, sealing the win for the Vikings.
Darnold finished his day completing 22 of 35 pass attempts for 246 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings didn’t turn the ball over. Minnesota’s defense intercepted Smith twice and got two sacks in the second half from the Seahawks quarterback.
How the result affects the Vikings and Seahawks’ playoff fates
With the win, the Vikings keep pace for the best record in the NFC with the Detroit Lions, who also improved to 13-2 on Sunday with a win over the Chicago Bears. The win sets up a Week 18 clash between the Vikings and Lions that could lead to the NFC North crown and No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
The Philadelphia Eagles fell to 12-3 on Sunday after a loss to the Washington Commanders, leaving them a game behind the Vikings and Lions. The Vikings will host the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. The Lions will visit the San Francisco 49ers. Minnesota will host the Week 18 game against the Lions.
Barring a rally by the Eagles for the NFC’s best record, the winner of the NFC North will secure the No. 1 seed, which comes with a first-round bye and home field advantage during the NFC playoffs. The loser would be relegated to a wild card berth and a road match in the first round of the playoffs.
The loss dropped the Seahawks to 8-7, one game behind the 9-6 Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West, a critical blow to their playoff hopes. The NFC West has no plans to produce a wild-card team. The Rams will host the Seahawks in each team’s season finale in Week 18. The Seahawks will visit the Bears next week and the Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals.
