New England Patriots vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2022 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2022 NFL season on 2022-11-24, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 33–26 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Jones (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +6.06 total EPA, and +10.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.88 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+24.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: 6-N.Folk kicks 62 yards from NE 35 to MIN 3. 26-K.Nwangwu for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +11.88 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +9.30 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Jones · New England Patriots · Passing · +6.06 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Parker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.89 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Hockenson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.08 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Reagor · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.97 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.97 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
8. 8 H. Henry · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.39 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 55:44)
• New England Patriots — N. Agholor (M. Jones pass) (Q1 53:29)
• Minnesota Vikings — T. Hockenson (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 31:35)
• New England Patriots — H. Henry (M. Jones pass) (Q3 26:03)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Nwangwu (Q3 25:54)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 9:40)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q1 46:32)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (Q2 38:32)
• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q2 35:47)
• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q2 30:06)
• New England Patriots — N. Folk (Q3 21:46)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (Q4 14:11)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q1 55:44) — (10:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 55:40) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 34 (Q1 53:29) — (8:29) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass deep middle to 15-N.Agholor for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 53:21) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIN 16 (Q1 46:32) — (1:32) 6-N.Folk 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 15–6. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NE 12 (Q2 38:32) — (8:32) 1-G.Joseph 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIN 28 (Q2 35:47) — (5:47) 6-N.Folk 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q2 31:35) — (1:35) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 87-T.Hockenson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q2 31:30) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is No Good, Wide Right, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIN 5 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 6-N.Folk 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 37 (Q3 26:03) — (11:03) 10-M.Jones pass short middle to 85-H.Henry for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 25:54) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 35 (Q3 25:54) — 6-N.Folk kicks 62 yards from NE 35 to MIN 3. 26-K.Nwangwu for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 25:41) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIN 6 (Q3 21:46) — (6:46) 6-N.Folk 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 16–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NE 18 (Q4 14:11) — (14:11) 1-G.Joseph 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q4 9:40) — (9:40) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q4 9:34) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 25:54) — 6-N.Folk kicks 62 yards from NE 35 to MIN 3. 26-K.Nwangwu for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.4% · EPA +5.31]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 48:43) — (3:43) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 17-K.Osborn INTERCEPTED by 31-Jo.Jones at NE 28. 31-Jo.Jones pushed ob at MIN 17 for 55 yards (4-D.Cook). [WPA -16.1% · EPA -6.88]
• New England Patriots (Q3 26:03) — (11:03) 10-M.Jones pass short middle to 85-H.Henry for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.5% · EPA +4.03]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:22) — (3:22) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 5-J.Reagor to NE 26 for 25 yards (32-D.McCourty). [WPA +14.9% · EPA +2.97]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 9:40) — (9:40) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +2.05]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 48:43) — (3:43) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 17-K.Osborn INTERCEPTED by 31-Jo.Jones at NE 28. 31-Jo.Jones pushed ob at MIN 17 for 55 yards (4-D.Cook). [WPA -16.1% · EPA -6.88]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 25:54) — 6-N.Folk kicks 62 yards from NE 35 to MIN 3. 26-K.Nwangwu for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.4% · EPA +5.31]
• New England Patriots (Q3 26:03) — (11:03) 10-M.Jones pass short middle to 85-H.Henry for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.5% · EPA +4.03]
• New England Patriots (Q1 53:29) — (8:29) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass deep middle to 15-N.Agholor for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +3.74]

Quarterback report card

M.Jones led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Jones (New England Patriots) · 41 dropbacks · 68.3% completion · +10.9% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +6.06 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 40 dropbacks · 75.0% completion · +9.9% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +11.88 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New England Patriots +0.05, Minnesota Vikings +0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +8.85 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +3.55 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Jones (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• K. Cousins (MIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 55:44 · NE 6 · Score 0-6
   (10:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 55:40 · NE 15 · Score 0-7
   1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 53:29 · MIN 34 · Score 6-7
   (8:29) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass deep middle to 15-N.Agholor for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 53:21 · MIN 15 · Score 7-7
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.
5. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 46:32 · MIN 16 · Score 10-7
   (1:32) 6-N.Folk 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.
6. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 38:32 · NE 12 · Score 10-10
   (8:32) 1-G.Joseph 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 35:47 · MIN 28 · Score 13-10
   (5:47) 6-N.Folk 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.
8. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 31:35 · NE 1 · Score 13-16
   (1:35) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 87-T.Hockenson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 31:30 · NE 15 · Score 13-16
   1-G.Joseph extra point is No Good, Wide Right, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
10. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · MIN 5 · Score 16-16
    (:06) 6-N.Folk 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.
11. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 26:03 · MIN 37 · Score 22-16
    (11:03) 10-M.Jones pass short middle to 85-H.Henry for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 25:54 · MIN 15 · Score 23-16
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.
13. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 25:54 · NE 35 · Score 23-22
    6-N.Folk kicks 62 yards from NE 35 to MIN 3. 26-K.Nwangwu for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 25:41 · NE 15 · Score 23-23
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
15. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 21:46 · MIN 6 · Score 26-23
    (6:46) 6-N.Folk 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-17-M.Palardy.
16. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 14:11 · NE 18 · Score 26-26
    (14:11) 1-G.Joseph 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
17. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 9:40 · NE 15 · Score 26-32
    (9:40) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Minnesota Vikings TD (+7) — Q4 9:34 · NE 15 · Score 26-33
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.