MINNEAPOLIS – Aaron Jones, Sr., had a front-row seat in the roller coaster.
The Vikings running back had an up-and-down afternoon Sunday but showed up in a big way on a go-ahead touchdown catch to help lift Minnesota to a 23-22 win over Arizona.
"It was a sigh of relief," Jones said of getting in the end zone with 1:13 left in the game. "Being able to take the lead, we had ultimate confidence in our defense that they would get it done. We know once we give them a little bit of energy … they're there."
Minnesota's defense dug deep after a grind of a game, making one final stop in the form of a Shaq Griffin interception to seal the victory.
The touchdown throw from Sam Darnold spoke volumes to Jones, who fumbled twice early in the game. One of the loose balls was recovered by Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill, but the second was secured by Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.
Jones took full ownership of the fumbles, both in the immediate aftermath and during his postgame media session. He also expressed gratitude to his coaches and teammates for maintaining confidence in him throughout a difficult outing.
"I'm thankful for these guys in the locker room … and [Head Coach Kevin O'Connell], as well. He's like, 'Hey, we're gonna come back to you,'" Jones said. "I'm really thankful to be here, thankful to my coaches and teammates for lifting me up, even when I'm down. They keep me up on the sideline."
Jones noted the same was true after an earlier pass in the end zone he couldn't quite bring in.
"Sam threw a dime. It was in my hands," he said. "I feel like when I was pulling it in, going to the ground, is when I bobbled it, lost track of it.
"That's not me," Jones emphasized of the mistakes. "But I can't make any – I'm not gonna make any – excuses. Will go back and look at the film, but I've gotta be better."
Multiple players reiterated their belief in Jones, who entered the Week 13 contest already having surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards.
"I have unwavering confidence in him," O'Neill said.
"We always have trust and confidence in A.J. to come back and bounce back," Justin Jefferson echoed. "We know A.J. is not [usually] the type of guy to fumble and to give the ball way. He's a great back for us, and he's a big weapon for us. You can't [give up] on somebody like that."
Jones' early struggles encapsulated an overall slow start for the Vikings offense, which had just five first downs and 75 net yards through the first two quarters. But just like they weren't about to throw in the towel on their top running back, no one stopped believing they'd somehow get it done.
And they did.
Darnold and Company improved in the second half, especially late in the third quarter when Jalen Nailor made an 18-yard catch that kicked off three straight plays that gained at least 15. Cam Akers followed the Nailor catch with an 18-yard run, and then Darnold threw a 15-yard dart to Jefferson that helped set up Minnesota's first touchdown of the day, a 4-yard pass from Darnold to Johnny Mundt.
Minnesota's first drive of the fourth quarter ended with a 31-yard field goal by Parker Romo, one of three by him on the day. The Vikings got the ball back with 3:20 to go and down 22-16; they knew a touchdown was the only option.
"Just one play at a time. That's been my mentality all year," Darnold said. "Early on in the drive, completions … and if they present us with a look where I feel like I can fit a ball in there or make a big play, obviously I'm going to take it – in time, within the timing of my feet and my eyes."
Darnold provided Jefferson and Jordan Addison a few opportunities to make contested catches Sunday, and it paid dividends.
After a couple of games in which opposing defenses took Jefferson out of the equation, he led the Vikings with seven catches for 99 yards against Arizona. Addison followed with four catches for 54 yards, and Hockenson had three for 28.
"We'll watch the tape and continue find ways to move [Jefferson] and all the different tools we have," O'Connell said. "But we definitely tried to find different types of things as we went, trying some things out, doing some things that maybe weren't on the call sheet and kind of went into that world a little bit because I do want to compliment [Arizona] on a really good defensive game plan."
Jefferson made multiple impressive grabs, but perhaps the most crucial moment occurred when he got open on fourth down during the final series.
With 2:10 remaining, down 6 points and with backs against the wall, the Vikings had no choice but to go for it on fourth-and-5 from the Arizona 33. O'Connell delivered the play call through Darnold's headset, and the entire huddle just knew.
First down coming up.
"I was pretty excited," Jefferson said. "Just seeing the coverage of the defense and, with the route schemes, I kind of figured that I was going to be open on that play. But it was just great execution from everyone. Great execution from Sam to find me in that window to give me the ball for the first down."
Addison and Darnold shared similar sentiments.
"Loved the call. Obviously," Darnold quipped after the win. "It was just a really good job by Jets (Jefferson). He does the same thing in practice – just finding that soft spot in the zone. We connected on it very similarly to the way we did Thursday in practice.
"They brought a really good pressure on that play, as well," continued Darnold, "but I was able to get the ball out and convert. It was a huge play by Jets – really, by all 11 – to be able to execute."
Arizona pressured Darnold all afternoon, blitzing early and often. The Cardinals recorded eight total quarterback hits, including 5.0 sacks.
Darnold previously was 0-5 as a starter in games when he was sacked at least five times. He also was 0-23 when his team trailed by at least 13 points.
O'Neill pointed to pre-snap communication being a bigger factor than execution in some of the protection issues.
"I have to go back and watch the film, but it didn't necessarily feel like guys were getting beat; it felt like there were some things that they had good [answers for]. I mean, they have good coaches, too," O'Neill said. "We were able to make some adjustments at halftime, and I think we saw the improvement throughout the game.
"[Sam] played great. That last drive was huge," O'Neill said. "He was good the whole game. I think once we cleaned up some things protection-wise, in terms of who we were targeting, we were able to hang in there a little better, and he made some good plays, and a couple good plays with his feet."
Darnold escaped the pressure more than once, including during the drive that led to Romo's 31-yard field goal.
On second-and-10 from the Arizona 42 and two plays after completing a 30-yard pass to Jefferson, Darnold evaded a sack and ran for 12 yards and the first down. He reached the sticks in part thanks to Jefferson, who didn't let off his block.
"I'll block for anybody that runs the ball," Jefferson said. "[I'll do] whatever I've got to do to make sure my guys are getting even more yards.
"Of course, I want Sam to throw the ball more than scrambling," he added with a laugh, "but you know, if he does scramble, getting those yards, it's wonderful."
Darnold finished "another resilient win" 21-of-31 passing for 235 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 111.6, marking the 10th time this season he's had a passer rating of 100 or higher, tying a franchise record for the most such games in one season (Daunte Culpepper in 2000 and Brett Favre in 2009).
Minnesota's comeback win advanced the team to 10-2 as it prepares to host the Falcons next week at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"It's nice to be able to get that 10th win in December, especially early," Darnold said. "But you know, we've still got a long way to go to be the team we want to be. That first half wasn't our brand of football, and we're going to continue to learn – watch it and grow as a team."
