Three keys to the Vikings’ 42-21 win over the Falcons

Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison

Addison played his first multi-score game of the season, finding the end zone three times on a day in which he racked up 133 yards on eight receptions.

Addison barely edged out fellow wide receiver Justin Jefferson (132 yards) to lead in receiving yards. His three TDs are a season high and a career high.

Addison scored the Vikings’ first touchdown of the day with a 49-yard catch in which he juked out an Atlanta Falcons defender inside the 10-yard line. His other two touchdowns were for 11 yards and 6 yards, coming on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter.

Addison had only four touchdowns this season entering Sunday. Last year, in his rookie season, he finished with 10 and had a pair of double-touchdown performances.

Vikings recover fumbled kick return

Just after Addison’s second touchdown of the day pushed the Vikings to a 28-21 lead, the Vikings’ special teams came up big.

Kicker Will Reichard, back for the first time following a stint on injured reserve with a quad injury, thrust his arms into the air heading toward the sideline in celebration.

Addison scored his third touchdown on the ensuing drive, giving the Vikings a two-score lead from which they never looked back.

42

The Vikings scored 42 points against the Falcons and former quarterback Kirk Cousins as they moved to 11-2 this season with a sixth straight win.

It’s the most points the Vikings have scored under coach Kevin O’Connell.

It was October 2019, when Cousins led the Vikings to a 42-30 win over the Detroit Lions. Cousins completed 24 of 34 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns in that game.

Current Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was 22-for-28 for 347 yards and five touchdowns Sunday.

Vs. Chicago, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.

It’s time for the seemingly annual “Monday Night Football” game between the Vikings and the Bears. Three weeks after their overtime win in Chicago, the Vikings face Caleb Williams again, but this time, Thomas Brown, not Matt Eberflus, will be coaching the Bears. Chicago (4-9) lost Brown’s first game at the helm, 38-13 to the 49ers on Sunday.

Sept. 8: W, 28-6 at N.Y. Giants

Sept. 22: W, 34-7 vs. Houston

Sept. 29: W, 31-29 at Green Bay

Oct. 6: W, 23-17 vs. N.Y. Jets in London

Oct. 13: Bye

Oct. 20: L, 31-29 vs. Detroit

Nov. 3: W, 21-13 vs. Indianapolis

Nov. 10: W, 12-7 at Jacksonville

Nov. 17: W, 23-13 at Tennessee

Nov. 24: W, 30-27 OT at Chicago

Dec. 1: W, 23-22 vs. Arizona

Dec. 16: vs. Chicago

Dec. 22: at Seattle

Dec. 29: vs. Green Bay

Jan. 4 or 5: at Detroit

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Recap: How the Vikings beat the Falcons to improve to 11-2