BALTIMORE—Justin Tucker’s job was much easier for this game-winning kick.
No need to set an NFL record—although he still felt the usual nerves with victory on the line.
“Every single time, it doesn’t matter if it’s a PAT in the first quarter or the game-winning field goal, whether it’s a 36-yarder or a 66-yarder, it’s always about managing your feelings and managing your emotions,” Tucker said. “If you’re not feeling a little bit nervous, are you really living?”
Tucker kicked a 36-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in overtime to give the Baltimore Ravens a 34–31 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. It was the 18th game-winning field goal for the star kicker, who made the longest kick in NFL history when he drilled a 66-yarder to beat Detroit in Week 3.
Once Devonta Freeman broke loose for a 19-yard run to the Minnesota 39, the Ravens were in decent shape to set up a field goal. They ended up getting a good bit closer.
“I kind of just felt the energy, like OK well, I’m ready to go knock down a 52-, 53-, 54-yarder,” Tucker said. “But if it’s 36, that would be nice too.”
Tucker has made 53 consecutive field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The AFC North-leading Ravens (6–2) rallied from a 14-point third-quarter deficit and survived an acrobatic interception by Minnesota’s Anthony Barr on the first possession of overtime.
Barr tipped Lamar Jackson’s pass and caught it out of the air, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 38, but Minnesota went three-and-out, and Baltimore drove into Tucker’s range again.
It was the third overtime game of the season for each team. They both had split their first two. This was another agonizing loss for the Vikings (3–5), who have not dropped a game all season by more than seven points.
Baltimore, meanwhile, has won three times this season after trailing by double digits in the second half.
“I'd rather not be playing from behind,” Jackson said. “But our team, we’re fighters. We believe in each other. We’ve got faith.”
The Ravens took a 31–24 lead on Le'Veon Bell’s 1-yard run with 3:29 remaining in regulation.
The Vikings tied it on a 1-yard scoring pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen with 1:03 to play.
Jackson threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. He also ran for 120 yards on 21 carries. It was his 10th career 100-yard rushing game, tying Michael Vick’s regular-season record for quarterbacks.
Baltimore trailed 24–10 after Minnesota’s Kene Nwangwu ran the second-half kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown, but the Ravens rallied thanks to three big fourth-down conversions.
Devonta Freeman ran for the necessary yardage on fourth-and-2 from the Baltimore 36, and then Jackson threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Ricard on fourth-and-goal to make it 24–17.
On the Ravens’ next possession, Jackson converted a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 from his own 27. Baltimore later made a first down on third-and-15 when Marquise Brown gained 18 yards on a catch-and-run.
Jackson eventually threw a 5-yard TD pass to Devin Duvernay, a difficult catch that tied the game and capped an 18-play, 82-yard drive that took 10:17.
“I thought we were actually playing pretty well on defense,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “Then we got kind of worn down.”
Penalties played a significant role in the first half. Minnesota’s D.J. Wonnum was called for a horse-collar tackle a replay appeared to show he grabbed Jackson’s jersey in the middle of the back, not the collar—and that kept a Baltimore drive going when the Vikings thought they had come up with a stop on fourth down. The Ravens eventually kicked a field goal.
Justin Jefferson ran right past defensive backs Marlon Humphrey and Chuck Clark before hauling in a 50-yard touchdown pass from Cousins.
On Minnesota’s next drive, Dalvin Cook’s 66-yard run helped set up a 1-yard TD run by Cousins that made it 14–3.
The Ravens appeared to have stopped the Vikings on fourth-and-goal from the 2, but a pass interference call on Chris Board gave Minnesota a new set of downs.
“Take what you can, give away nothing—that’s winning football. We’ve done a lot of giving,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “But we’ve also done a lot of overcoming. I‘d like to cut down on the giving, even though it’s Thanksgiving coming up. We’ll be thankful for the overcoming.”
Turnaround
The Ravens were coming off their open date. They lost their previous game 41–17 to Cincinnati, and their defense didn’t look any better at the start of this one while allowing big plays to Jefferson and Cook.After halftime, however, Minnesota managed only 114 yards. The Ravens ended up with a 36–13 edge in first downs. Baltimore also controlled the ball for 46:04 to Minnesota’s 23:40.
Injuries
Harbaugh said S DeShon Elliott will likely be out for the season with an injury to his pectoral/bicep area.Baltimore was without WR Sammy Watkins (thigh) and RB Latavius Murray (ankle), and Ravens DT Justin Madubuike was shaken up late in the fourth quarter. ...Minnesota was missing DT Michael Pierce (elbow), and CB Bashaud Breeland (groin) went down in the second quarter.
Up Next
Vikings: At the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday.Ravens: At Miami on Thursday night.
