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A16 SPORTS
Wednesday 21 december 2022

Historic Vikings rally rises above, in age of NFL comeback

By DAVE CAMPBELL the sport have enjoyed
AP Pro Football Writer increased protection for
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kirk years with defensive play-
Cousins interrupted the ers more strictly penalized
beginning of the television for their endangerment.
interview that was being The receivers are more
shouted above the eu- likely to draw a flag for
phoric uproar in Minnesota, pass interference or a hard,
incredulously repeating his high hit than the guys cov-
question to the reporter to ering them on the other
make sure he had the de- side. Even the kickers have
tails right. stronger and more accu-
Yes, the Vikings had just rate legs to make midfield
completed the biggest a green light for late field
comeback in NFL history, goal tries in many situations.
down 33-0 midway through Consider how the Vikings
the third quarter before got this done against the
beating Indianapolis 39-36 Colts.
in overtime on Saturday. Dayo Odeyingbo tackled
“Something like that Jalen Reagor for a 5-yard
doesn’t happen to aver- loss on a jet sweep that
age people,” Cousins said would’ve given the Vikings
later. Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) reacts with teammate quarterback Kirk second-and-15 from their
Inside the raucous locker Cousins, right, after an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, own 20 with nearly 5 min-
room at U.S. Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 39-36 in overtime. utes elapsed in the third
eighth-year linebacker Associated Press quarter. But Odeyingbo
Eric Kendricks wiped away Buffalo’s erasure of a 35-3 much mystery around Min- that wins or ties, includ- briefly stood over Reagor
tears as he reflected on the deficit to beat Houston 41- nesota’s version once the ing four instances by the in an intimidating manner
spirit, resiliency and cama- 38 in overtime of their wild next generation gets up to Vikings. That’s the most in that was whistled for a 15-
raderie of a team that has card round playoff game speed on the game. The league history through 15 yard taunting penalty, one
won 10 games by eight after the 1992 season stood comeback has become a weeks. Clubs that have of the NFL’s recent empha-
points or fewer this season. as the previous record, and common feature of the NFL been behind at any point ses on sportsmanship. Two
Rookie head coach Kevin though Cousins was only 4 these days. in the fourth quarter have plays later, Cousins con-
O’Connell stepped off the years old at the time he’s Cincinnati and Jacksonville come back to win or tie 71 nected with K.J. Osborn for
podium following his me- enough of a fan of the each rallied from 17-point times, also an NFL record a 63-yard pass that set up
dia session in a fog of sat- game to have seen the re- holes to win on Sunday, the to date. The game now is the first touchdown.
isfaction and exhaustion, broadcasts and read the first time three teams have simply more conducive to Two possessions later, Justin
reflecting on cornerback recaps to hold full rever- registered comeback vic- teams scoring more quickly Jefferson drew an unnec-
Patrick Peterson’s straight- ence for that rally led by tories of at least that size in and more often, through essary roughness penalty
faced halftime challenge Bills backup quarterback the same week. Three oth- the evolution of the play- on safety Rodney Thomas
to the offense “You just Frank Reich. er clubs won despite fourth- ers, rules and coaches. during a reception for a first

need five touchdowns” “That one still to this day, quarter deficits. The best quarterbacks are down that moved the ball
that helped set the tone. I wonder, “How did that The NFL has had 44 games continually advancing ath- from the Colts 48 to the 33.
“I’ll never forget it as long happen?” Cousins said. this season with a team letically and strategically, The Vikings were in the end
as I live,” O’Connell said. There might not be as trailing by 10 points or more and these biggest stars of zone four plays later.q

Judge and Yankees finalize $360 million, 9-year contract

NEW YORK (AP) — Ameri- 1961. Just before opening only New York Mets pitch-
can League MVP Aaron day, Judge turned down ers Max Scherzer and Justin
Judge and the New York the Yankees’ offer of $213.5 Verlander at $43.33 million.
Yankees on Tuesday final- million over seven years Judge hit .311 and tied for
ized their $360 million, nine- (2023-29). the major league lead with
year contract, the third- By betting on himself, 131 RBIs. He hit 16 home
largest deal in baseball his- Judge gained an addition- runs more than any other
tory. al $146.5 million and two player, the largest gap
New York announced the guaranteed seasons. He since the Philadelphia Ath-
agreement and called turns 31 in April. letics’ Jimmie Foxx hit 58
a news conference for Judge’s contract trails only in 1932 and the Yankees’
Wednesday at Yankee Mike Trout’s $426.5 million Babe Ruth had 41.
Stadium to discuss the con- deal with the Los Ange- A Northern California na-
tract, which was agreed to les Angels for 2019-31 and tive, Judge met with the
on Dec. 7 subject to a suc- Mookie Betts’ $365 million San Francisco Giants last
cessful physical. pact with the Los Ange- month. He could be in line
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge watches his solo home run ball Judge hit 62 homers last les Dodgers for 2021-32. to become New York’s
during the second inning of Game 5 of an American League season to break the previ- Judge’s $40 million aver- first captain since Derek
Division baseball series against the Cleveland Guardians, Oct. ous AL record of 61 set by age salary is the highest for Jeter retired after the 2014
18, 2022, in New York. the Yankees’ Roger Maris in a position player, behind season.q
Associated Press