T.J. Hockenson

Hockenson's lone incompletion was Sam Darnold's only turnover of the game. The 27-year-old tight end was able to find room in the middle of the field against Green Bay, and he bounced back from a disappointing two-catch effort against the Seahawks. Hockenson will get a chance to face his former team in Week 18 against the Lions, and the winner of that contest will get homefield advantage in the NFC.

Darnold's interception came when he tried to fit a ball between two defenders on a flag route from T.J. Hockenson. Outside of that, it was an outstanding effort from Darnold in a game the Vikings essentially dominated from the start. That's his sixth game with at least three passing scores, and he was spreading the ball around with eight different receivers catching passes. Darnold and the Vikings now have a massive contest against the Lions in Week 18 that will determine who gets homefield advantage in the NFC. Darnold is truly deserving of MVP consideration for his work in 2024 no matter what happens in that game.

It was yet another down day for Hockenson, who has eclipsed 50 receiving yards in just three of his eight games in 2024. Hockenson ran a route on 30 of the team's 42 drop backs against Seattle. He still does not have a touchdown on 45 receptions this season. He'll be a TE2 option in Week 16 against the Packers.

Hockenson is Minnesota's man-beater, and the Bears rarely bothered getting out of zone coverage tonight so he didn't have much to work with. He did break up a near-interception by playing defensive back on a ball over the middle from Sam Darnold that was bearing in on Kevin Byard's hands. He also converted a third-and-15 with a 16-yard catch and added a five-yard DPI. He'll remain a functional low-end TE1 in Week 16 against the Seahawks.