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News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

Addison, Hockenson & Osborn Combine for Monstrous Day at Lambeau Field 

Jordan Addison spotted the sign early on.

A fan sitting in the front row at Green Bay had created a "Jump Here" sign, intended for Packers players to execute the traditional "Lambeau Leap" up into the stands following a score.

"That's when I got the idea," Addison said with a smile.

The Vikings rookie hoped he'd get a chance for his own Lambeau Leap in enemy territory, and he got exactly that in the third quarter, when Minnesota capitalized on a defensive takeaway with a 20-yard touchdown to the rookie en route to a 24-10 win.

One play after safety Josh Metellus ripped the ball away from Packers receiver Jayden Reed and followed with an impressive 43-yard return, Kirk Cousins and Addison added a splash play of their own.

Cousins led Addison out of the backfield and ahead of cornerback Jaire Alexander on a wheel route for a smooth touchdown.

Then, a chance to celebrate.

"I faked the leap on the Green Bay side, and then I went to the Vikings [fans] and jumped up with them," Addison said.

He called it a "beautiful play call" by Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell.

"Once Jaire had bumped down to a linebacker position, I was like, 'OK, so it's gonna be man.' I just set him … and then Kirk delivered a good ball," Addison said.

The wideout scored one of Minnesota's three touchdowns at Green Bay Sunday afternoon, joining Cam Akers – who recorded the team's first rushing score of the season and his first as a Viking – and T.J. Hockenson in the paint.

Hockenson's TD occurred less than two minutes before Addison's.

The Vikings opened the third quarter on offense, having won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, and Cousins orchestrated a 13-play drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass to Hockenson.

The series looked at an earlier point like it could stall, but Cousins found K.J. Osborn for a 32-yard gain on third-and-9 to keep the drive moving.

It wasn't the only time Cousins turned to Osborn at a crucial time, either. In fact, five of his eight receptions Sunday occurred on third down – and he answered the bell.

"How about K.J. Osborn? He doesn't get talked about a whole lot, but all he has done since he has really assumed more of a significant role with the Minnesota Vikings is continuously made plays – a huge third-down catch for an explosive," O'Connell said. "But then it is also his ability to be really in all three spots at once. It makes him so incredibly versatile."

Osborn led the Vikings with 99 yards, the third-highest receiving total of his career.

"I just got in a rhythm. When I get opportunities, I try to make the best of them. And a lot of those opportunities, they usually come third down, fourth down, in overtime," Osborn said postgame. "But whenever the ball comes to me, I just try to make the most of my opportunities. I found a rhythm and was getting really comfortable."

That certainly seemed to be the case for Osborn, Hockenson and Addison alike, as the trio combined for 21 catches and racked up 269 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

Hockenson, who had three grabs that gained 18-plus yards, called it "super exciting" to play such complementary football within the offense – especially in the absence of Justin Jefferson, who has missed the past three games on Injured Reserve.

"I mean, J.A. (Addison) goes down and is able to open some stuff up in the middle for me, and it's just nice to be able to play with a deep threat – like what we've had with Justin and what we have with J.A.," Hockenson said. "For those guys to open up some stuff puts me on a 'backer, puts me in an easy [position], makes my life pretty easy.

"I try to make their life as easy as possible, as well," he added. "It's just super complementary, and we're looking forward to continuing that."

Cousins finished his day 23-of-31 for 274 yards and two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 122.2, before suffering a suspected Achilles injury that could potentially sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Cousins completed 7-of-8 attempts to Addison for 82 yards, despite being covered most of the afternoon by Alexander.

"We all know his name, we know what he has done," Addison said of a matchup with Alexander. "So just me coming in, I was coming in feeling like I didn't have anything to lose. 'He's an All Pro corner, and I'm just going to attack him every chance I get.' "

View game action photos from he Vikings vs. Packers Week 8 at Lambeau Field

O'Connell pointed out the number of ways he's able to use Addison – out of the backfield, on different routes and putting the receiver in motion.

It's important to take advantage of the rookie's wide-ranging skill set, O'Connell said.

"I am very, very excited about Jordan," he added.

While the Vikings continue to want more from their run game (they totaled just 62 yards rushing on 31 carries), Minnesota's passing game against the Packers left little to be desired.

"I thought our screen execution, the one to Jordan was a big play," O'Connell said. "Third down, red zone, Kirk's ability to really digest a lot – I could put a wristband on anybody in this room right now, and they aren't going to be able digest what Kirk has been able to do on those downs and getting us to the right play and understanding my vision, my intent, our offensive staff's intent.

"Regardless of the look we are going to have an answer, and he has been finding it time and time again," O'Connell added. "That has really fueled our offensive production, then allowed our defense to rest, and then come on the field recharged and make their plays. So complementary football the way we kind of envisioned it has really executed these last two weeks. It has been fun to see."

The Vikings understand they may be moving ahead without Cousins, but they aren't sticking their heads in the sand.

Osborn emphasized the NFL's "next man up" mantra and expressed confidence in Minnesota's offense to keep things rolling no matter who's under center.

"Of course [we have to step up]. If our guy is out, that's our whole team," he said. "But we try to play that standard regardless of who's in there. We have a high standard in our receivers room, so we just try to play to that standard every Sunday.

"We have a no-quit mentality," Osborn added.

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