Justin Jefferson powers Vikings in thriller over Seahawks to keep pace with Lions in race for No. 1 seed

The Minnesota Vikings held off the Seattle Seahawks in a 27-24 thriller on Sunday to keep pace in the race for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs in a critical game for each team’s playoff fate.

Minnesota took the lead with an opening-drive touchdown and didn’t trail until allowing a Seahawks touchdown with 4:21 left in the fourth quarter. But the Vikings answered with a 70-yard touchdown drive to retake the lead and secure the win to improve to 13-2.

Frantic final minutes

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith capped a 68-yard drive with a touchdown pass to AJ Barner in the back of the end zone to give Seattle its first lead of the game at 24-20.

But Justin Jefferson ensured that the Vikings would not leave Seattle without a win. On first-and-10 at the Seattle 39 with 3:58 remaining, Jefferson broke free down the left sideline over the top of the Seattle secondary. He then adjusted his route and spun in the air to catch an underthrown ball from Sam Darnold before running into the end zone.

The touchdown was Jefferson’s second of the day in his most productive game of the season. He finished the day with 10 catches for a season-high 144 yards.

The Seahawks had a chance to tie the game on their ensuing drive. But Jason Myers’ 60-yard field-goal attempt came up short.

The Seahawks then had one last chance after forcing a Vikings punt with 1:01 remaining. But Smith threw an interception to Theo Jackson, sealing victory for the Vikings.

Darnold finished his day completing 22-of-35 pass attempts for 246 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings did not turn the ball over. Minnesota’s defense intercepted Smith twice and got two second-half sacks of the Seahawks quarterback.

How result impacts Vikings’, Seahawks’ playoff fate

With the win, the Vikings keep pace for the best record in the NFC with the Detroit Lions, who also improved to 13-2 on Sunday with a win over the Chicago Bears. The win sets up a Week 18 clash between the Vikings and Lions that could be for the NFC North crown and No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Philadelphia Eagles dropped to 12-3 on Sunday with a loss to the Washington Commanders to fall a game behind the Vikings and Lions. The Vikings will host the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. The Lions will visit the San Francisco 49ers. Minnesota will host the Week 18 game against the Lions.

Barring a rally by the Eagles for the NFC’s best record, the winner of the NFC North will secure the No. 1 seed that comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The loser would be relegated to a wild-card berth and a road game in the first round of the playoffs.

With the loss, the Seahawks fell to 8-7, a game behind the 9-6 Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West, a critical blow to their playoff hopes. The NFC West doesn’t project to produce a wild-card team. The Rams will host the Seahawks in Week 18 in each team’s season finale. The Seahawks will visit the Bears next week, and the Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals.