Minnesota Vikings studs and duds: Kirk Cousins comes up short in the clutch

Stud: T.J. Hockenson, TE

During the season, the Vikings swung a trade for T.J. Hockenson. The former Detroit Lion has been quite the addition and continued to play well in the Wild Card Round — especially on third down. Hockenson had a key conversion on each of the first three touchdown drives for Minnesota.

On their opening drive, he had a four-yard grab on third and two to keep the drive moving. On their second scoring drive, Hockenson again pulled down a big reception, this time gaining 27 yards on a third and nine.

In the third quarter, New York was up 24-14 and Minnesota again needed to answer. This time, Hockenson caught a 19-yard pass on third and seven. Eventually, Irv Smith scored from three yards out and the Vikings stayed in the game. Hockenson might not have scored on any of those drives but they also might have been blanked without his conversions.

As the third quarter ended, Hockenson decided third-down conversions weren’t enough. On the final play before the final period, he found a wide-open spot on the boundary for an 18-yard gain on fourth and two.

Hockenson ended the night with 129 yards on 10 receptions and was unfairly given the ball short of the sticks on fourth down, which means he will probably beat himself up for not making a heroic play.

Dud: Jalen Reagor, PR

Minnesota made a move to bring in Jalen Reagor this season as their punt returner. He did very little during the year as he had just 6.4 yards per return. Then on Sunday, he nearly cost the Vikings in a major way.

Danielle Hunter had just forced the first punt of the night in the third quarter and Reagor fumbled the ball when he was being hit. Kris Boyd was there to recover the loose ball but it was nearly a disaster.