Kyle Rudolph was a key component of the Minnesota Vikings' domination of the Detroit Lions today. Rudolph caught 12 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in their 27-9 win in Detroit.
After the game, referencing his last name, which he share's with Santa Claus' most famous reindeer, Rudolph told reporters that, “Today was my time. Christmas is usually good to me.”
With their win against a division rival today, the Vikings stayed right in the middle of the playoff hunt at 8-6-1. Their main competition is coming from the 8-7 Philadelphia Eagles and the 8-6 Seattle Seahawks, who play the Kansas City Chiefs tonight on Sunday Night Football.
One of the biggest plays of the day came when quarterback Kirk Cousins hit Rudolph for a 44-yard touchdown on a Hail Mary as the first half ended. Rudolph had also set up the play on a 17-yard reception with one second remaining.
Once the game ended, Rudolph gave Cousins' pass all the credit for the play, “I had the easy part,” he said. “Just turning and catching.”
Rudolph may have been joking about playing well around Christmas during the game, but he has made some big plays around the holiday over the course of his eight-year career.
In 2015, he caught a 28-yard touchdown against the New York Giants on Dec. 27 in a 49-17 win. On Dec. 23, 2012, he caught a three-yard touchdown from Christian Ponder in a 23-6 win against the Houston Texans — the only passing touchdown of the game. And on Christmas Eve 2011, Rudolph caught a 17-yarder from Joe Webb during a 33-26 point win versus the Washington Redskins.
Follow Us
Subscribe