WATCH: Vikings win on Patrick Peterson interception in OT following questionable officiating in regulation
An insane series of events on Sunday afternoon led to the Buffalo Bills stopping the Minnesota Vikings’ go-ahead drive on the goalline only to fumble the snap – and, eventually, the game – with 45 seconds remaining. As it turned out, the fumble was just the beginning of the drama.
The crazy game culminated in Minnesota Vikings corner Patrick Peterson picking off Josh Allen in overtime for a 33-30 win.
The Vikings nearly scored after a 12-play drive on a QB sneak by Kirk Cousins but after officials looked over the tape, they ruled him short of the endzone.
Then, the Vikings defense recovered the fumble by quarterback Josh Allen in the endzone to go up 30-27. Eric Kendricks‘ recovery and score should have been the end of it. However, the Bills were able to drive 69 yards in five plays to kick a field goal, tying the game up 30-30 and sending it to overtime.
Notably, the NFL officials missed a crucial call on Buffalo’s drive down the field to tie the game. With 24 seconds remaining, Allen completed a pass to Gabe Davis but the replay revealed that the ball bobbled and touched the ground. If the officials had reviewed the tape, they would have likely ruled the pass incomplete.
Justin Jefferson makes one of the greatest catches of all-time
Justin Jefferson was the hero of the game for the Vikings. After grabbing, arguably, one of the best catches of all-time in the fourth quarter, the LSU alum caught a 24-yard pass in overtime to put Minnesota at the two-yard line. Ultimately, the Bills defense forced the Vikings to kick a field goal after Ed Oliver sacked Cousins at the 15-yard line.
On the next drive, Allen initially took control, scrambling for 38 yards on two plays to get the Bills into Minnesota territory (and field goal range) at the two-minute warning. However, he tossed an interception to Patrick Peterson, locking in the win for Minnesota and sending them to 8-1 on the year.
Jefferson is one of the best receivers in the game today and he proved it once again on Sunday. Late in the game against the Buffalo Bills, he made one of the best catches in NFL history. On 4th and 18 with the game on the line, Kirk Cousins lobbed up a prayer to the right sideline to Jefferson.
Cousins dropped back to the 18-yard line and launched the ball all the way to the Bills’ 43-yard line, where Jefferson leaped in the air, bringing the football down with one hand. Keep in mind, Jefferson was blanketed by Bills defensive back Cam Lewis. However, that was no match for the former LSU star’s spectacular ball skills.
The catch was reminiscent of the one-handed leaping snag that Odell Beckham, Jr. made several years ago with the New York Giants. That catch catapulted him to superstardom across the globe. Jefferson was already a superstar, but this grab took it to the next level.
On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this report.