Vikings victorious after double-doink drama at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Sunday saw the Minnesota Vikings win the first NFL International Series game of 2022, after New Orleans Saints kicker Will Lutz had his game-tieing FG attempt bounce off the goal post twice with two seconds to left to go.
It was the first of three NFL games to be held in London this year, all in front of sold-out crowds, tieing a record of five games held outside of the US in a single season.
Superstar WR Justin Jefferson had a big day, catching 10 balls for 147 yards, and scoring a rushing TD against a stout New Orleans defense.
The Saints were without starting QB Jameis Winston, RB Alvin Kamara, and WR Michael Thomas, meaning veteran backup Andy Dalton started the game under center.
Minnesota and QB Kirk Cousins got off to a great start, scoring on the opening drive through an Alexander Mattison screen pass on 3rd & goal from the 15.
New Orleans, who were assigned to be the home team in this matchup, started slow, but were given life at the end of the first quarter as Kirk Cousins had a pass to Jefferson on the sideline pounced on by Tyrann Mathieu, who intercepted the Vikings QB.
A key third down completion between Dalton and first round rookie, Chris Olave, kickstarted a scoring drive for the Saints, with the same two players combining from four yards out.
Minnesota were in possession of the football with just under four minutes to go in the half, they had to settle for a Greg Joseph field goal however, after a miscommunication between Cousins and Johnny Mundt on 3rd and 1.
Dalton’s Saints had plenty of time left on the clock, just over one minute, and two timeouts to try and at least tie the game going into the half, but their drive came up short on the very first play as the QB fumbled the football on a sack by Dalvin Tomlinson, giving Minnesota the chance to extend their lead.
An instant redzone opportunity was there for the Vikings, but they couldn’t convert that opportunity, instead settling for a FG to leave the game 13-7 at half time.
Two punts opened up the second half of the game, the last one was much wilder as it was recovered by the same team as Vikes safety Harrison Smith recovered the loose ball that Saints returner Deonte Harty dropped.
Cousins and Jefferson then connected for 41 yards on the very next play, making it all the way to the four yard line, but unfortunately Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings offense continued to struggle within the 20, again only coming away with three points.
New Orleans, needing to respond, put together a drive that lasted over five minutes and ended with a six yard touchdown run from Latavius Murray, leaving the score at 16-14 in the dying embers of the third quarter.
Minnesota wanting to extend their lead, called a fake punt on 4th and 2 which caught the Saints off guard, giving the offense a bit of life and the crowd something to cheer, sadly for the fans wearing purple it was Joseph was out again to pick up three.
Another long drive lead by Dalton and the versatile Taysom Hill, who rushed for a score from under centre gave the home team their first lead of the day, which was at three points after Dalton connected with Landry for a two point conversion. 22-19 to New Orleans.
A controversial pass interference penalty set up the Vikings within three yards of the end-zone, where Jefferson caught everyone off guard by taking in a jet-sweep for a rushing touchdown after a great block from fellow WR Adam Thielen, pleasing the London crowd with his world-famous griddy celebration.
Joseph, who had been perfect on the day, missed the extra point, which would make his team sweat in the final few minutes as there was only a three point gap at 25-22.
The Saints drive was halted at their opponent’s 42, meaning that they could either punt or bring out Lutz to attempt a 60 yard field goal, matching his career best.
Lutz was preferred, and what a decision it was, tieing the game with just under two minutes remaining.
A 39 yard deep shot to Jefferson, followed by a Joseph field goal from the 47 looked to be enough for Minnesota to win with only 25 seconds to go, and New Orleans having no timeouts left.
Magic can happen though, particularly in London, and after 32 yard grab from the rookie Olave, Lutz had a chance to take the game to overtime, this time from 61 yards out.
It looked to be good until the very last second, where the ball moved to the left a tad, bouncing off of the left upright and onto the crossbar, out of the goal, giving the Vikings a 28-25 victory.
“I gave it a chance but just didn't get the right bounce - it's just so frustrating. I wanted to hit that kick for the team, we needed to win today.” - Will Lutz
Minnesota now move to 3-1 on the season, and are currently first place in the NFC North, whilst the Saints, who many saw as a playoff team are now 1-3.