CNN
—
The NFL’s Week 15 concluded with the league’s closing Monday Night Football doubleheader of the season.
The playoff bound-Minnesota Vikings simply defeated the Chicago Bears 30-12 for his or her seventh straight victory. The Vikings clinched a playoff berth Sunday following the Seattle Seahawks 30-13 defeat to the Green Bay Packers.
Before Monday’s recreation, former Vikings receivers Chris Carter and Jake Reed confirmed assist for his or her former teammate Randy Moss by holding up his #84 jersey through the coin toss at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The followers chanted, “Randy! Randy!”
Moss introduced Friday he’s being handled for most cancers.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson additionally honored the Pro Football Hall of Famer within the first quarter.
After a seven-yard landing catch from quarterback Sam Darnold to offer the Vikings a 10-0, Jefferson celebrated saying to the digital camera, ”We love you, Randy! That’s for you.”
Moss posted on X, “LUV U ALL! #letsmosscancer”
“I undoubtedly wished to offer a tribute to him on one among my touchdowns. It was simply nice to have it completed within the first quarter and the primary one,” Jefferson mentioned concerning the Moss tribute whereas carrying his jersey after the sport.
“Definitely received to indicate that like to him. Grateful for what he has completed for this recreation and what he has completed for me as a child, simply watching him and being a fan of him. I at all times received to indicate love in the direction of him.”
The Vikings would go on to take a 13-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, Minnesota added two one-yard landing runs, one by working again Aaron Jones within the third quarter and the opposite by working again Cam Akers within the fourth to stretch the result in 27-6.
Darnold was 24-40 for 231 yards with a landing and interception. Jefferson had seven receptions for 73 yards and a landing.
The Vikings improved to 12-2 and are in a three-way tie with the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles for the most effective report within the NFC. The Bears dropped to 4-10.
Next up: Minnesota travels to the Emerald City to tackle the Seahawks whereas the Bears host the Lions on Sunday.
Falcons finish four-game skid to stay in playoff hunt
The Atlanta Falcons held on late to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Monday night time to snap a four-game shedding streak.
Led by a stingy Falcons protection that didn’t permit a landing till late within the fourth quarter, pressured three turnovers and blocked two punts, Atlanta haunted its former beginning quarterback Desmond Ridder and handed the Raiders a tenth straight loss.
With the victory, the Falcons improved to 7-7 on the season to stay in second place within the NFC South, behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6).
As issues stand, the Falcons have a 37% likelihood at securing a playoff berth, in keeping with NFL.com. Their finest likelihood at a playoff spot can be by the division, as the chances of clinching a wild-card berth are additional out of attain.
“For us to go on the market and discover a technique to win. I feel an important factor if you come off a pair losses in a row. Particularly the Falcons, you need your Falcons followers to be ok with it. You received to discover a technique to win and also you acquire confidence by getting wins and I feel that’s what our guys did as we speak,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris mentioned after the sport.
Atlanta opened the scoring within the first quarter, when Kirk Cousins related with receiver Drake London for a 30-yard landing to offer the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
In a principally defensive contest, each groups struggled to get a lot going within the first half.
The Raiders opened the second half by forcing a turnover, after Robert Spillane picked off Cousins. The Falcons quarterback has struggled as of late, with turnovers being one of many predominant points. Entering Monday night time, Cousins had thrown eight interceptions and nil touchdowns through the four-game skid.
However, the Falcons’ protection stepped up on the following possession forcing the Raiders to a three-and-out after which blocked the punt try.
Las Vegas scored a landing with slightly below three minutes left to chop the deficit to 15-9, however the Raiders’ further level try was blocked by the Falcons – the third blocked kick try of the night time.
Just as the sport gave the impression to be over, the Raiders started to march down the sector on the ultimate possession of the sport.
In a battle towards the sport clock, Las Vegas had two pictures to get into the endzone from the Falcons’ 35-yard line, however the second try was intercepted by Jessie Bates III as time expired.
Next up: Atlanta will host the New York Giants whereas the Raiders will play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Las Vegas on Sunday.
