2. Vikings QBs stretch field in 2-minute | By Rob
Minnesota’s offenses thrived, with a little yellow helping hand, in crunch time.
The first series began with back-to-back incompletions — one a throwaway out of bounds by Murray with Aaron Jones, Sr., in the vicinity, and the other a wayward pass to Justin Jefferson on a slant.
Baltimore was flagged after the second play, however, awarding 15 yards to Murray’s group. And they took full advantage. In succession, Murray synced with T.J. Hockenson on a quick hit to his right, then checked down to Jones over the middle with 44 seconds left, except it was negated by offensive holding. It didn’t matter. Murray positively answered the negative play, spinning a deep pass up the right side to a streaking Jauan Jennings who pierced it in stride.
That positioned the offense at about the Ravens 35 with 37 seconds to go. The offense gained 5 more yards on another Ravens penalty; and then Murray found Jefferson in the flat to his left, and “Jets” made an awesome cut inside that put a Ravens cornerback on skates.
That provided enough confidence to drain what was left of the clock, signal a timeout and bring on All-Pro kicker Will Reichard, who connected on a 46-yard field goal to win the drill.
McCarthy’s offense also benefited from the Ravens’ overzealousness — and going long.
After linking with Myles Price and Bryson Nesbit for short gains, McCarthy flicked a pass to Jeshaun Jones far up the right sideline. Ravens CB T.J. Tampa, Jr., was flagged for defensive pass interference, moving up the unit to the 30. Right after, McCarthy and Jones clicked for a few, and the receiver managed to run out of bounds with the clock stopped at 24 seconds.
In an effort to reposition the rock to the right hash and give Reichard another chance at a game-winning boot, McCarthy stuffed the ball into Demond Claiborne’s belly going to the right. The running back ate. Actually, he devoured the opportunity, bouncing his off-tackle track to an acre of green grass and accelerating into the clear for an emphatic six points.
The moment got even sweeter when backup center Michael Jurgens sprinted to the end zone and hoisted Claiborne in the air to celebrate with his former Wake Forest teammate.