Vikings 33, Patriots 26: Mac Jones’ best game of the year not enough

Mac Jones had his best game of 2022, but it wasn’t enough for the Patriots on Thanksgiving night in a 33-26 loss to the Vikings in Minnesota.

One game after the New England special teams unit led the way via a virtual walk-off punt return against the Jets, that group allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown and had a costly running into the punter penalty that resulted in a later touchdown.

The Patriots (6-5) led 23-16 when Jones hit Hunter Henry for a 37-yard touchdown pass with 10:54 left in the third quarter, but the Vikings (9-2) answered immediately when Kene Nwangwu brought the ensuing kickoff back 97 yards for a score to tie the game.

The teams traded field goals to 26-all and the Patriots defense forced a Vikings punt, but Pierre Strong was called for a running into the punter penalty to give Minnesota a first down. Two plays later, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins connected with Adam Thielen for a 15-yard touchdown and a 33-26 lead.

For the first time this season, Jones threw for more than one touchdown in a game. Prior to Thursday night’s game, Jones had just four touchdown passes — one each in four games (Miami, Pittsburgh, NY Jets, Indianapolis).

Jones finished with a career-high 382 passing yards on 28 of 39 passing. He had touchdown passes to Nelson Agholor (six catches, 65 yards) and Hunter Henry (three catches, 63 yards). Rhamondre Stevenson had nine catches for 76 yards along with 36 rushing hards on seven carries.

Cousins, meanwhile, completed 30 of 37 pass attempts for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Jefferson finished with nine catches for 139 yards and a score, while Thielen had nine catches for 61 yards.

The game featured ties at 7-7, 10-10, 16-16, 23-23 and 26-26.

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