Mike White’s magic ran out in the final minutes as the Jets failed to secure a crucial interconference contest
The New York Jets’ conquering of the NFC North was stopped by the Minnesota Vikings.
Behind rushing scores for Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, as well as Kirk Cousins’ touchdown toss to Justin Jefferson, the Vikings survived a late green rally to steal a 27-22 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium.
With the Mike White show renewed for a second week, a fluke interception that bounced off the hands of Corey Davis went to Harrison Smith, setting up the first points of the day via a Greg Joseph field goal.
The Mike White era is having a rough start against the #Vikings, INT by Harrison Smith.pic.twitter.com/gPkyTgUGIY
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 4, 2022
New York managed to tie the score by concluding a 12-play, 45-yard drive with a 48-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal.
Minnesota responded with rushing touchdowns from Cook and Mattison. Combined with another Joseph triple, the Vikings scored on three consecutive possessions, building a 20-3 lead before a 60-yarder from Zuerlein shortened the deficit to two possessions at the half.
Dalvin Cook is cooking in Minnesota #SKOL #FPC #NFL #NFLTwitter
— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) December 4, 2022
Ayo Alexander Mattison buss through for a touchdown❗️
See what I did there 🧐 pic.twitter.com/VYZZ4S5Ejb
— Alex Xaviel (@SnakeDraftViper) December 4, 2022
Defensive endeavors kept the Jets in the game while Zuerlein continued to kick. As the Jets chipped at the lead via special teams, the defense was able to land nine hits on Kirk Cousins, with Carl Lawson and Quinnen Williams earning sacks.
DANCE ON 'EM @QuinnenWilliams#NYJvsMIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/s4y1Lgy1e1
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 4, 2022
Once the Jets sliced the lead down to 20-15, Minnesota seemingly pulled away when Justin Jefferson, held in check for most of the game thanks to Sauce Gardner, scored on a 10-yard toss from Cousins, a score that earned the receiver “MVP” chants from those gathered at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Justin Jefferson gets the feet down for the TD 🔥
📺: #NYJvsMIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/rt0pyTSiXl pic.twitter.com/jWihdx9NFr— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2022
It took the Jets only five plays to embark on a 75-yard response, with White keeping the hope alive with a one-yard punch-in that required a review to confirm.
MIKE WHITE WITH THE TOUCHDOWN!
(via @nyjets) pic.twitter.com/nhMJOMRm9p
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 4, 2022
After two more crucial stops, the Jets made it into Minnesota territory twice over the final six minutes but were done in by both Braxton Berrios‘ dropped touchdown on fourth down and Camryn Bynum’s interception that sealed the deal.
Vikings close the door on Mike White and the Jets 😤
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/WnygW4G2ok
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 4, 2022
Minnesota (10-2) went 4-0 against AFC East competition, as they prepare to close in on their first division title since 2017.
The Jets (7-5) now face a crucial divisional showdown next Sunday when they travel to Orchard Park to battle the Buffalo Bills next Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
I don’t think I’ll ever understand why they try to slam small running backs into the middle of a stacked box when they only need one yard. Why not let the guy go lateral until he sees a crease?
Frustrating game.
OC was very bland down at the goal. Maybe pulling a guard might get the room needed to get in.
It was pathetic! I saw alot of people on Facebook putting this on White.
I’ll take that performance but what baffles me is the Jets are always better after halftime adjustments.
Saleh is in only his 2nd year but these adjustments or at least some need to be dine on the fly.
No Carter today might have been the difference.
I didn’t get the feeling the Jets could score unless it was from outside the 20.
Close to the goal, not much happened except the White TD.
Four chances to get one yard and not getting it shows the value of Carte and that the line isn’t ready for prime time.
Berrios drop not only disappointing it was very surprising.
Ik the D is “great” but another game with not enough stops on 3rd down.
I agree all around. The Berrios pass may have been tipped just enough to cause the drop. I know it’s nitpicking but the throw was just a bit to far outside. If he throws it a bit more in, it’s an easy catch for TD. Still should have caught it. The OL isn’t ready for prime time, they are doing a good job holding it together based on all the shuffling.
re the line I’m talking more of not being able to open even a little hole at the one yard line.
It’s not often a team gets skunked at the one with 4 downs to score.
Some of Whites passes were a touch behind but till we read it here we don’t know for sure if he’s trying to keep it away from a safety coming for help or whatever or it’s just a pass thats off.
Very disappointing loss.