NFL News & Analysis

NFL Week 12 Game Recap: Minnesota Vikings 33, New England Patriots 26

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates a first down against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen combined for 200 receiving yards as the Minnesota Vikings held on to beat the New England Patriots 33-26 on Thanksgiving night.

The 9-2 Vikings now sit comfortably atop the NFC North. The Pats loss sees Bill Belichick's men slide to 6-5 and into last place in the AFC East, at least for now.

Offensive spotlight: Minnesota's Justin Jefferson cemented his case as one of the league's very best wide receivers, snaring all nine of his catchable targets for 139 yards and a score. He caught two of his contested targets, averaged an incredible 3.76 yards per route run and generated a 149.1 passer rating.

Defensive spotlight: Veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith graded well against the run and as a pass-rusher against the Patriots. He produced five QB hurries from 36 pass-rush snaps and two defensive stops on 10 run-defense snaps.

Rookie spotlight: Patriots first-round guard Cole Strange didn't have the greatest night in pass protection, as he gave up three hurries on 42 pass-blocking snaps and was beaten twice more on reps that didn't result in pressure.

Offensive line spotlight: Things could have been a lot worse for a Vikings line that was without left tackle Christian Darrisaw. On PFF's first review of the game film, they gave up one sack, one hit and seven hurries across 39 passing plays.

Box Score

Passing
New England Patriots
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int Sacks Rtg
Mac Jones 26.3 28 / 39 382 9.8 2 0 3 119.8
Minnesota Vikings
Player Fantasy Comp/Att Yds YPA TD Int Sacks Rtg
Justin Jefferson 32.3 1  / 1 11 11.0 0 0 0 112.5
Kirk Cousins 22.9 30 / 37 299 8.1 3 1 1 116.1
Rushing
New England Patriots
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long Fum Lost
Rhamondre Stevenson 20.2 7 36 5.1 0 14 0
Kendrick Bourne 5.9 1 -7 -7.0 0 -7 0
Damien Harris 1.6 5 16 3.2 0 7 0
Minnesota Vikings
Player Fantasy Car Yds YPC TD Long Fum Lost
Kirk Cousins 22.9 1 -1 -1.0 0 -1 0
Dalvin Cook 9.6 22 42 1.9 0 6 0
K.J. Osborn 2.3 1 5 5.0 0 5 0
Alexander Mattison 1.1 3 11 3.7 0 8 0
Receiving
New England Patriots
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT TD Long
Rhamondre Stevenson 20.2 10 9 76 7.6 0 40
Nelson Agholor 18.5 8 6 65 8.1 1 34
Hunter Henry 15.3 5 3 63 12.6 1 37
DeVante Parker P 12.0 4 4 80 20.0 0 40
Jakobi Meyers 9.2 4 3 62 15.5 0 26
Kendrick Bourne 5.9 4 3 36 9.0 0 17
Minnesota Vikings
Player Fantasy Tgt Rec Yds YPT TD Long
Justin Jefferson 32.3 11 9 139 12.6 1 37
Adam Thielen 21.1 10 9 61 6.1 1 16
T.J. Hockenson 15.3 6 5 43 7.2 1 14
Dalvin Cook 9.6 5 4 14 2.8 0 8
Johnny Mundt 4.0 2 2 20 10.0 0 13
Jalen Reagor 3.5 1 1 25 25.0 0 25
K.J. Osborn 2.3 2 1 8 4.0 0 8

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