MINNEAPOLIS — One, two three. Four. Five!
Sam Darnold threw a career-high five touchdown passes, finding Jordan Addison (for three scores) and Justin Jefferson (for two), as well as multiple explosive plays in a 42-21 Vikings victory Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons.
Darnold also set new career highs in passing yards (347) and passer rating (157.9) in a game, and although an NFL max passer rating is 158.3, it's hard to imagine anyone playing better than Darnold did.
He completed 22 of 28 passes and withstood seven hits, four sacks and multiple other pressures caused by the Falcons (6-7).
Addison finished with 133 yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions. He also drew a 47-yard pass interference penalty in the first half.
Jefferson posted 132 yards and two scores — his first two trips to the paint since Week 7, helping Minnesota improve to 11-2 on the season.
View game action photos from the Vikings vs. Falcons matchup in Week 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings aerial attack flew high against a Falcons squad led by former Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins (2018-23), who visited U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time since signing with Atlanta in the offseason.
Attendance for the game was announced at 67,008, which is the second-largest for a Vikings game at the venue that opened in 2016. The only game with more in attendance was the 2019 Border Battle, so intrigue was high with the matchup.
Cousins opened the game 4-of-5 passing with the only incompletion a drop on his first attempt. He followed with completions of 28 yards to Darnell Mooney on third-and-8 and 16 to Drake London on second-and-15. With goal-to-go, the Falcons kept it on the ground, and Tyler Allgeier rumbled for a 6-yard touchdown.
Cousins finished 23-of-37 passing for 344 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of 70.1.
Darnold's first pass of the day was batted at the line of scrimmage, but he followed with a 16-yard strike to Jordan Addison on third-and-5. Minnesota's first possession, however, was upended after the Vikings advanced to the Falcons 37-yard line. Darnold was sacked by Eddie Goldman and Arnold Ebiketie on consecutive plays.
But as he's shown multiple times, he bounced back, and so did the Vikings through a couple of rough patches to seize control in the fourth quarter.
Here are four more observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a scoring summary:
1. Metellus & Murphy also catch footballs
Joshua Metellus was able to record his fourth career interception and second of 2024.
Metellus stepped in front of a pass intended for London early in the second quarter shortly after Minnesota tied the gam at 7 on a 49-yard touchdown to Addison.
Although the ensuing drive resulted in a punt, the pick was helpful in swaying momentum for an early surge.
Byron Murphy, Jr., continued showing his spectacular hands so good that he only needed one to spear a pass by Cousins just shy of the end zone. It protected a 35-21 lead with 6:26 remaining in the game.
It was the sixth pick of the season for Murphy.
2. Special teams offers biggest swing
The Vikings scored early in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard touchdown from Darnold to Addison to make it 28-21 with 12:59 remaining.
Atlanta returned and fumbled the ensuing kickoff.
Brian Asamoah II hit Ray-Ray McCloud III after a 31-yard takeback (the only one attempted by the Falcons), and C.J. Ham, who was recognized during the game as the Vikings nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, pounded on the football at the Atlanta 32.
Minnesota's lead surged to 35-21 seven plays later with another touchdown to Addison.
View pregame photos as the Vikings get set for the Week 14 matchup against the Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
3. On the ground game
The Vikings built their lead by throwing the ball and closed out the victory by running it.
Minnesota drove 98 yards for its final touchdown, which included a 25-yard run by Cam Akers and finished with a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Aaron Jones, Sr.
Jones led Minnesota with 73 rushing yards on 13 carries, and Akers added 37 on five.
Atlanta showed its strength in the run game with Bijan Robinson rushing 22 times for 92 yards and Allgeier adding 63 yards on nine rushes. Each scored a touchdown.
4. Reichard returns
Vikings kicker Will Reichard (and long snapper Andrew DePaola) returned from Injured Reserve because of injuries that each suffered against Indianapolis.
Reichard went 6-for-6 on extra points, but his lone field goal try of the day hit the left upright. The kick was from 47.
