Sam Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings hung on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25 for their ninth consecutive victory. The Vikings are 14-2.
Business owners in Stillwater and Hudson, Wis., organized the friendly competition ahead of the NFL game between the Vikings and Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Wisconsin side won 3-2 over Minnesota.
Dubbed the “Border Battle,” the event will start at 9 a.m., about six hours before the two NFL teams face off at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The location will be literally on the border: the Stillwater Lift Bridge, which spans the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The Minnesota Vikings have obliterated even the most optimistic of external predictions for this transitional season with a 13-2 record entering their matchup against the Green Bay Packers that has made Kevin O’Connell the current favorite for the NFL Coach of the Year award.
Sam Darnold connected with a well-covered Justin Jefferson with 3:51 left for his third TD pass of the game, and the Minnesota Vikings outlasted Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 to keep pace with Detroit for the top spot in the NFC.
Justin Jefferson raced across the back of the end zone, leaped to catch the pass from Sam Darnold and launched into his latest touchdown celebration after an early score for the Minnesota Vikings. He finished the dance with a special tribute to one of his greatest inspirations, Randy Moss.
Aaron Jones and Cam Akers had touchdown runs in the second half to complement a smothering performance by the Minnesota defense, and the Vikings moved into a tie for first place in the NFC North by beating the Chicago Bears 30-12 for their seventh consecutive victory.
The Minnesota Vikings put Jordan Addison to work when the Chicago Bears were busy keeping Justin Jefferson quiet last month. The Bears will face another test in their rematch in Minnesota on Monday night. The Vikings are 11-2 and on a six-game winning streak. The Bears are 4-9 with seven consecutive losses.
Sam Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns, both career highs, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away from Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons 42-21 for their sixth straight victory.
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