The Minnesota Vikings clinched a much-needed 34-31 win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11, which sure was one of the biggest upset results of the day.
The Vikings did not make it easy on themselves over the course of the contest. From blowing a double-digit lead to the 8.6 yards per play average allowed to the Packers, the Vikings had to pull out all the stops in order to clinch their second consecutive win. And in the end, they did just that.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins led the way on offense with a trio of touchdown passes. His potent chemistry with wide receiver Justin Jefferson proved to be a difference-maker in the contest. The second-year wideout was targeted 10 times by Cousins, and he came away with a keen eight receptions for 169 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
As the Vikings now look ahead to Week 12, they sure may take notice of these three notable takeaways from their home win over Green Bay.
Vikings Week 11 takeaways
3. Vikings finally address their penalty issues
The Vikings came into Week 11 ranked at the top of the leaderboard in penalty yards per game with a 74.2 average. Costly penalties proved to be an X-factor in several of their losses over the first half of the season.
In the Vikings' home clash with the Packers, they finally shied away from committing unnecessary penalties. Overall, they totaled for a mere three penalties for 25 yards.
The script sure flipped for Minnesota in this contest, as it was instead Green Bay that dealt with a multitude of costly penalties. The Packers amounted to 95 penalty yards on the day.
The Vikings need this trend to carry over for the remainder of the season.
2. Much-needed efficiency on third downs
Much of what has held the Vikings back on offense this year has been their sluggish production on third downs. They came into Week 11 with a lowly 35.7 third down conversion percentage, which ranked at 26th in the NFL.
In the home showdown with the Packers, the Vikings finally had their way in converting pivotal third downs. Overall, Cousins and company finished the contest 9-13 (69 percent) on third downs. More so, both of Jefferson’s two receiving touchdowns came on third downs, which surely must have pleased offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
1. Vikings are now right back in the NFC playoff picture
Considering that the likes of the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles have now slowly begun to turn the tide on their seasons, the Vikings needed a win in Week 11 to keep pace with them in the NFC wild-card standings. And fortunately for them, they now hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC following their narrow victory over Green Bay.
Now, every game is just as important as the previous one for the Vikings at this point in the season, especially as half a game separates them and the No. 10 seed Carolina Panthers.
The Vikings now will look to make it three wins in a row with a possible road victory over the 49ers in Week 12.
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