The Minnesota Vikings allowed the Green Bay Packers to make a comeback last Sunday for the second time this season. Jordan Love and the Packers erased a 27-10 deficit, narrowing the lead to 27-25 with 2:18 left.

However, just like in Week 4 against the Packers and many other games this season, the Vikings responded to adversity with a drive that sealed the win.

Sam Darnold faked a handoff on first-and-10, delivering a pass to a wide-open C.J. Ham in the left flat for a 13-yard gain. Two plays later, Darnold found Justin Jefferson for a nine-yard gain to set up third-and-two.

When the Packers focused on stopping the run, Darnold faked the handoff again, finding Cam Akers open in the right flat to seal the victory.

There was frustration over Minnesota not finishing the Packers off sooner, after dominating for most of the first three quarters. But the game ended in signature fashion for Kevin O’Connell’s squad.

When the stakes were highest, they came through. Under O’Connell, the Vikings are 26-9 in one-score games, the second-best mark in league history for a head coach in such games.

Some may call it luck that the team wins these one-score games, but this has been part of the team’s identity since O’Connell took over in 2022.

After a 23-7 win over the Packers in Week 1 and a 24-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles the following week, the Vikings seemed poised for another lopsided defeat against the Detroit Lions in Week 3.

Minnesota fell behind 14-0 early in the second quarter, which looked like a typical “no-show” game that Vikings fans were used to.

Instead, Minnesota battled back, tying the game at 14 before halftime. They trailed 24-14 heading into the third quarter, but the Vikings continued to fight. Alexander Mattison ran in a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-21.

The Lions missed a 54-yard field goal attempt that could have given them a seven-point lead with 1:12 left in the game, creating an opening for the Vikings.

Kirk Cousins completed back-to-back passes of 28 yards to K.J. Osborn, the second of which became the go-ahead touchdown. The Lions couldn’t answer, and Josh Metellus, starting in place of Harrison Smith, intercepted Jared Goff to seal the game.

That led to O’Connell’s first fiery postgame speech. The Week 1 win was joyful, marking his first victory as head coach. However, this postgame locker room felt different. Previous coaches may have viewed the game as flawed and unworthy of celebration, possibly dampening enthusiasm. Sensing this, O’Connell waved his arms for the team to celebrate louder.

He delivered an impassioned speech, telling the team that wins like that are what made them special.