5 drives that cost the Vikings a win over the Packers in Week 17

Drive No. 2

The Vikings took over at the Green Bay 45 after a tremendous stop by the defense on 4th-and-1.  After an incompletion to tight end T.J. Hockenson, a pass break up by Jaire Alexander when he was one-on-one against Justin Jefferson, and a short completion to K.J. Osborn, Minnesota found themselves facing a 4th-and-2.

I liked the play design here by Kevin O’Connell against the Packers’ Cover-1. With one deep safety over the top, a linebacker covering the middle, and everyone else in man, the Vikings had two options for man-beaters.

One of which was Jefferson running a double move against Green Bay linebacker De’Vondre Campbell. The other was a dig run by Hockenson.

Understanding that it’s man-coverage, the best matchup would be to take Jefferson on the double move, which eventually breaks open as Kirk throws the dig to Hockenson. Freeze-frames always look different while the ball is being thrown, but the Vikings had to have liked that Jefferson matchup regardless.

Hockenson did find himself in good position, but it required a much more accurate throw than Cousins gave him, which resulted in a tip-drill interception that the Packers took all the way to the house.