Vikings vs. Patriots: Score, results, highlights from cross-conference battle

Jacob Janower

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Vikings vs. Patriots: Score, results, highlights from cross-conference battle image

It wasn’t pretty, but the Patriots managed a 24-10 win over the Vikings to keep themselves in position for a first-round bye in the AFC.

The defensive domination by New England (9-3) was close throughout much of the contest, but the Patriots broke a tie in the third quarter on a Josh Gordon touchdown, then added another score on their next drive and didn’t trail for the remainder of the game.

Minnesota had the opportunity to get back in the game in the fourth quarter but Kirk Cousins threw an interception in the end zone which squashed any hope of a rally.

Unlikely contributor James Develin, the rarely-used fullback, played a major role in the Patriots win, scoring his second and third touchdowns of the season on 1-yard rushes. 

New England’s offense was humming in the second half, but suffered in the first 30 minutes due some huge stops from the Vikings’ (6-5-1) defense that wound up keeping the score tight. 

Minnesota failed to capitalize on the Bears loss and stayed 1 1/2 games behind the Bears in the NFC North. Dalvin Cook ran for 84 yards on only nine carries, but the Vikings inability to throw the ball down the field prevented them from doing much on the offensive side of the ball. They will have a massively important matchup next week against the Seahawks, a fellow wild-card contender.

MORE: Week 13 playoff picture | Week 13 updates, highlights

Sporting News provided live updates from Vikings vs. Patriots. 

Vikings vs. Patriots: Score, results, highlights

(All times ET)

Vikings: 10

Patriots: 24

Final: Patriots 24, Vikings 10

7:21 p.m.: INTERCEPTION, PATRIOTS. The Vikings last-ditch attempt to score points is thwarted as Cousins is intercepted by Jonathan Jones. The Patriots will likely take a knee and run out the clock. 

7:16 p.m.: New England has picked up a couple of first downs as we have hit the two-minute warning with the Patriots trying to run down the clock.

7:07 p.m.: INTERCEPTION, PATRIOTS. Cousins takes a deep shot into the end zone but it's underthrown and Duron Harmon comes up with a massive interception.

7:03 p.m.: INTERCEPTION, VIKINGS. We're not done yet. Brady gets picked off by Eric Kendricks and the Vikings will get another chance to get within one possession.

7:02 p.m.: Quick slant on a fourth-and-11 is the call by the Vikings but Laquon Treadwell is stopped well short and it's a turnover on downs.

6:53 p.m.: Controversial decision by the officials as Latavius Murray, who was stopped short on fourth-and-inches, is given a first down due to forward progress. Bill Belichick challenged but without definitive evidence the play stands.

6:46 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, PATRIOTS. James Develin pounds it in again for his second touchdown of the game and New England is up by two possessions. Patriots 24, Vikings 10

6:41 p.m.: A potential swing here as Cousins is sacked on a third down and Julian Edelman returns the ensuing punt to midfield.

End of third quarter: Patriots 17, Vikings 10

6:33 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, PATRIOTS. New England marches 75 yards on four plays, the biggest two of which were a pair of 24-yard completions to Josh Gordon, including a touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter. Patriots 17, Vikings 10

6:28 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, VIKINGS. Bailey connects on a 39-yard field goal to tie the game, but the Vikings didn't convert on two passes in the end zone during the drive and had to settle for three points. Vikings 10, Patriots 10

6:22 p.m.: A challenge by the Patriots and the referees to take a look at a close play on a Kyle Rudolph reception. Rudolph may have been short of the first down marker, but upon review, the call stands and it's a Minnesota first down.

6:15 p.m.: Gostkowski's 48-yard field goal isn't particularly close. Both teams have now missed field goal attempts in this game.

6:12 p.m.: The Patriots opt for the aggressive choice on fourth-and-one and barely pick it up on a short pass from Brady to Chris Hogan.

6:08 p.m.: Nothing doing for Minnesota either and Brady responds by coming out firing with a 29-yard completion to Cordarrelle Patterson

5:58 p.m.: New England offense starts the second half with a three-and-out.

Halftime: Patriots 10, Vikings 7

5:38 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS. Adam Thielen finally makes his first catch of the day when he gets left wide open in the end zone. Vikings are on the board before the end of the half. Patriots 10, Vikings 7

5:37 p.m.: A quartet of completions by Cousins has the Vikings inside the 10 and knocking on the door.

5:30 p.m.: After Rob Gronkowski was stopped just short of the first down mark on a reception, the Vikings defense stuffs James White for a loss on third-and-inches and the Patriots will punt after the two-minute warning. 

5:20 p.m.: No payoff for the Vikings after Cook's run as the drive stalls. Diggs and Thielen have combined for one catch for six yards so far.

5:17 p.m.: Cook's strong start continues as he goes 18 yards on the first play of the Vikings' drive.

5:13 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, PATRIOTS. New England eats up a lot of clock, 8:11 to be exact, but can't get in the end zone. Stephen Gostkowski kicks in a 20-yard field goal. A controversial third down no-call on a potential pass interference thwarted the Patriots' touchdown aspirations. Patriots 10, Vikings 0

5:04 p.m.: Not a lot of variety recently for the Patriots, but it's working. Brady with back-to-back dump offs to James White for double-digit yards.

4:58 p.m.: The Vikings get their second three-and-out in three drives as their offense continues to struggle. 

End of first quarter: Patriots 7, Vikings 0

4:50 p.m.: A rare scramble to pick up a first down by Brady gives him another career milestone.

4:42 p.m.: Dan Bailey's 48-yard field goal is shanked and not even close to going through the uprights. Minnesota comes up empty.

4:39 p.m.: Dalvin Cook breaks a big run for the Vikings and goes 32 yards to the Patriots' 23-yard line.

4:34 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, PATRIOTS. Fullback James Develin pounds it one yard up the middle for the touchdown. Early lead for New England. Patriots 7, Vikings 0.

4:34 p.m.: New England piling up the chunk plays early. Brady with completions for 24,18, 15, and 13 yards.

4:27 p.m.: Minnesota will start with the ball and it gets an incomplete pass, short run from Dalvin Cook and a 6-yard completion that will force an early punt.

3:36 p.m.: A couple of important Vikings players who have been battling injury will be active today.

Jacob Janower