EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings had just retaken possession with a precarious two-point lead on Green Bay right before the two-minute warning, badly needing to drain the clock and stem the momentum the Packers seized down the stretch.
Convention calls for running the ball. Coach Kevin O'Connell didn't hesitate to dial up some passing plays, another sign of his unwavering confidence in the value of bold decisions, the effectiveness of his system and, of course, the ability of quarterback Sam Darnold.
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Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson catches a pass for a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Vikings' Cam Akers runs for a touchdown after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold throws while being pressured by Green Bay Packers' Keisean Nixon during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell calls a timeout during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
The 27-25 victory over Green Bay on Sunday further validated all of that.
“I felt comfortable with Sam in those moments,” O'Connell said, alluding to some particular runs he'd called earlier in the game and in late-game situations throughout the season that gave the Packers plenty of reason to anticipate them. “I thought we'd get some edges and get Sam and his athleticism out on the perimeter.”
With 2:18 to go, Darnold faked a handoff to Cam Akers as he ran toward the right end. Fullback C.J. Ham stepped forward in a mock blocking action, then veered left into the flat where he was uncovered as Darnold bootlegged to his left for a 13-yard completion that moved the chains.
Two plays later, on second-and-11, Darnold rolled right and threaded an on-the-run throw through traffic to Justin Jefferson, who pulled in a difficult catch with Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine draping all over him in tight coverage. That forced the Packers to use their second timeout.
Then came another rollout on third-and-2, when Darnold had to hurry his toss with linebacker Isaiah McDuffie bringing pressure. Akers nimbly snagged the low throw before it hit the turf and tumbled past the marker for the ever-important first down that sealed Minnesota's ninth consecutive victory.
“I’m trying to make sure that he and I are playing this game as close-knit as we possibly can so we can be aggressive," O'Connell said. “He’s still going to be a great decision-maker, and he’s playing quarterback at a very, very high level and has been for the majority of the season. You can tell by the locker room. You can tell by the way I call plays. I know for us to get to where we want to go, we’ve got to be aggressive, and we’ve got to play football in a way that allows us to have our whole offense at our disposal.”
Darnold went 33 for 43 for a career-high 377 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
“Whenever he does call a pass in that situation, I’m always prepared for it,” Darnold said, “and I feel like our guys did a really good job of executing that.”
The pass protection was impeccable, with only one sack allowed on Darnold and plenty of time for him to progress through his options and look downfield for receivers on longer-developing routes. The Packers had 16 sacks over their previous four games.
“I felt like there were times, too, where I could have got the ball out a little quicker, especially on the second-to-last drive, but I thought the big guys did a really good job,” Darnold said.
The special teams haven't been all that special. The place kicking has been the most valuable unit this season, but rookie Will Reichard missed two field goals against the Packers. Ryan Wright averaged only 35.5 yards on two punts. Brandon Powell muffed a punt return at his own 16-yard line, but he fell on the ball. Ty Chandler returned a kickoff that landed at the goal line after Green Bay had cut the lead to 27-18, but he gained only 21 yards. Chandler also took one back in the first quarter from 4 yards deep in the end zone, reaching only the 23-yard line.
Wide receiver Jalen Nailor had six catches for 69 yards on eight targets, all season highs. He broke wide open on a corner route for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter that put the Vikings in front 7-3. Jefferson wasn't targeted until midway through the second quarter and had only two catches in the first half while the Packers paid him extra attention, necessitating Darnold to rely often on Nailor.
Reichard had a 57-yard field-goal attempt that hit the crossbar and a 43-yard try that clanked off the left upright. His 55-yarder at the end of the first half went wide right, but an offside penalty on the Packers gave him another opportunity for a 50-yarder that he made.
“My confidence in Will is sky high,” O'Connell said, alluding to an “unbelievable session” in practice on Thursday. “If we think we’re anywhere near the range, I’m going to give him a swing."
Backup edge rusher Patrick Jones dodged a serious injury to his right knee after a low, diving block by tight end Tucker Kraft. He'll have an opportunity to return this week.
Running back Aaron Jones, who was held out of the fourth quarter with a bruised quadriceps as a precautionary measure, likely will be ready for action this week, O'Connell said.
9 — Minnesota's winning streak is tied for the third-longest in franchise history and is the longest since a 10-game run in 1975.
The Vikings (14-2) are facing one of the most consequential regular-season games in franchise history when they play at Detroit on Sunday night, considering the either/or stakes. Securing home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and getting a first-round bye would put them two home wins away from their first Super Bowl appearance in 48 years. Losing to the Lions would put them on the road to start the postseason as the No. 5 seed the following weekend, with Tampa Bay the most likely opponent in that slot.
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Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson catches a pass for a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Vikings' Cam Akers runs for a touchdown after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold throws while being pressured by Green Bay Packers' Keisean Nixon during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell calls a timeout during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s anti-corruption agency has dispatched investigators to execute a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as hundreds of his supporters are gathered at his residence in Seoul, vowing to block their approach.
Investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials were seen loading boxes into several vehicles before leaving their building in the city of Gwacheon early Friday.
The office didn’t immediately confirm how many investigators were sent.
A Seoul court issued a warrant for Yoon’s detention after he evaded multiple requests to appear for questioning and blocked searches of his office in Seoul, hindering an investigation into whether his short-lived power grab on Dec. 3 amounted to rebellion.
Yoon in a message to conservative supporters rallying outside said he will “fight to the end” against “anti-state forces,” while his legal team warned Thursday that police officers attempting to detain him could face arrest by his presidential security service or even civilians.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a message to conservative supporters rallying outside his Seoul residence, vowed to “fight to the end” against “anti-state forces,” while his legal team warned Thursday that police officers attempting to detain him could face arrest by his presidential security service or even civilians.
Yoon’s latest statement of defiance came as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials prepared to execute a detainment warrant against him that was issued by a Seoul court on Tuesday and is valid for one week. The warrant was issued after Yoon evaded multiple requests to appear for questioning and blocked searches of his office, hindering an investigation into whether his hourslong martial law imposition on Dec. 3 amounted to rebellion.
Oh Dong-woon, the anti-corruption agency’s chief prosecutor, has indicated that police forces might be deployed if Yoon’s security service resists the detention attempt, which could occur as early as Thursday. But it remains unclear whether Yoon can be compelled to submit to questioning.
Yoon’s legal team issued a statement on Thursday warning that any attempt by the anti-corruption agency to use police units for his detention would exceed their legal authority. The lawyers said police officers could face arrest by either the “presidential security service or any citizens” if they try to detain Yoon. They didn’t elaborate further on the claim.
South Korean law permits anyone to make an arrest to stop an active crime, and critics accused Yoon of inciting his supporters to obstruct attempts to detain him.
In a message to supporters gathered outside his residence Wednesday evening, Yoon said he would continue to fight against anti-state forces “violating our sovereignty” and putting the nation in “danger.” He applauded his supporters for their efforts to protect “liberal democracy and constitutional order” and said he was watching their protests on live YouTube broadcasts, according to a photo of the message shared by Yoon’s lawyers.
Yoon Kap-keun, the president’s lawyer, filed a challenge with the Seoul Western District Court on Thursday to block both the detention warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol and a related search warrant for his residence. The lawyer argued that both warrants violate criminal laws and the constitution.
The liberal opposition Democratic Party, which drove the legislative vote that impeached Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 14 over his imposition of martial law, accused the president of trying to mobilize his supporters to block his detention and called for law enforcement authorities to execute the warrant immediately.
Braving subfreezing temperatures, thousands of Yoon’s supporters rallied for hours near his residence on Thursday amid a heavy police presence, waving South Korean and American flags while chanting, “Nullify the impeachment!” and “We will protect President Yoon Suk Yeol!” Officers removed some protesters who laid down on a road leading to the entrance of Yoon’s residence, but there were no immediate reports of major clashes.
“The Corruption Investigation Office must detain him immediately, and the presidential security service must cooperate with the lawful execution of the detainment warrant,” said Park Chan-dae, the Democrats’ floor leader.
“They should be aware that obstructing the execution of the detainment warrant could result in punishment for interference with official duties and complicity in rebellion,” he said.
Yoon’s lawyers have argued that the court’s detainment warrant is invalid, claiming that the anti-corruption agency lacks the legal authority to investigate rebellion charges. They also accuse the court of bypassing a law that says locations potentially linked to military secrets cannot be seized or searched without the consent of the person in charge.
Some experts believe the anti-corruption agency, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities, would not risk clashing with Yoon’s security service, which has said it will provide security to Yoon in accordance with the law. The office may instead issue another summons for Yoon to appear for questioning if they are not able to execute the detainment warrant by Jan. 6.
If Yoon is detained, the anti-corruption agency will have 48 hours to investigate him and either request a warrant for his formal arrest or release him. Yoon’s defense minister, police chief and several top military commanders have already been arrested over their roles in the martial law enactment.
Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended following a National Assembly vote to impeach him on Dec. 14 over his imposition of martial law, which lasted only hours but has triggered weeks of political turmoil, halted high-level diplomacy and rattled financial markets. Yoon’s fate now lies with the Constitutional Court, which has begun deliberations on whether to uphold the impeachment and formally remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.
To formally end Yoon’s presidency, at least six justices on the nine-member Constitutional Court must vote in favor.
The National Assembly voted last week to also impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who became acting president after Yoon’s powers were suspended, over his reluctance to fill three Constitutional Court vacancies ahead of the court’s review of Yoon’s case.
Facing growing pressure, the new acting president, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, appointed two new justices on Tuesday, which possibly increased the chances of the court upholding Yoon’s impeachment.
Cho Han-chang, one of the newly appointed justices, said Thursday that he began his job with a “heavy heart.” Jeong Gye-seon, the other new justice, expressed hope that the remaining vacancy would be filled.
Yoon’s imposition of martial law ended after only six hours when the National Assembly voted 190-0 to lift it despite attempts by heavily armed soldiers to prevent them from voting.
Yoon has defended his martial law decree as a necessary act of governance, portraying it as a temporary warning against the Democratic Party, which he has described as an “anti-state” force obstructing his agenda with its legislative majority.
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lie down on the ground as Yoon faces potential arrest after a court on Tuesday approved a warrant for his arrest, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lie down on the ground as Yoon faces potential arrest after a court on Tuesday approved a warrant for his arrest, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Police officers escort away a supporter of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as Yoon faces potential arrest after a court on Tuesday approved a warrant for his arrest, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose a court having issued a warrant to detain Yoon, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The signs read, "Oppose impeachment." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose a court having issued a warrant to detain Yoon, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The signs read, "Oppose impeachment." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose a court having issued a warrant to detain Yoon, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose a court having issued a warrant to detain Yoon, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The signs read, "Oppose impeachment." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose a court having issued a warrant to detain Yoon, near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The signs read, "Oppose impeachment." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
FILE - In this photo provided by the South Korean President Office, the country's President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 14, 2024. (South Korean Presidential Office via AP, File)
