3 unsung heroes from the Vikings Week 12 win over the Patriots
By Clay Vasquez
T.J Hockenson – TE
T.J. Hockenson had a forgettable day against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11, along with the entire Vikings team. He dropped two touchdown passes on the same drive, which wouldn’t have saved Minnesota at all, but it was still a rough game for the Iowa product.
Hockenson was traded to Minnesota from their division rival Detroit Lions, and outside of the Dallas game, he had been a solid contributor in his first two games with the Vikings, tallying 16 receptions and 115 yards.
Against New England, Hockenson found his stride again, finally hitting pay dirt for the Vikings in a game where every point was crucial.
He ended the day with five catches, 43 yards, and one score. Though those aren’t game-breaking stats, Hockenson has proven to be a safety blanket for Kirk Cousins, being a dominating target in underneath routes for Cousins to hit.
As the season progresses, Hockenson should become more and more involved in Minnesota’s offense, and his route tree should be ever-expanding. He’s only been with the team for a few weeks, so his chemistry with the team as a whole is continuously growing as well.
A player that fans have deemed as “The Logo”, due to his uncanny resemblance to the Vikings logo, is only going to make this Minnesota offense more and more lethal with every snap he takes.