Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson made rare NFL history with video game-like first half vs. Saints

The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of a Cinderella-esque midseason run after losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. While the Vikings had two straight prior to that, and also won that game, their two most recent games have made headlines.

In Week 9, recently acquired quarterback Joshua Dobbs was thrust into action when he didn't even know the team's entire system yet but still managed to lead the team to a win. Then in Week 10, Dobbs used his (apparent) new favorite target tight end T.J. Hockenson in a huge way during the first half of a matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Hockenson came up so clutch during the first half on Sunday, that his stat line wound up making NFL history. He caught 10 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown in the first two quarters alone, becoming the first tight end to rack up 10-plus catches, 125-plus yards and a touchdown in one half, per OptaStats.

Hockenson finished the game with 11 catches for 134 yards and one score but with Minnesota up 24-3 at halftime, the team's passing game wasn't tasked with an overwhelming amount of work in the second half, even though the Saints did make a late-game push for a comeback.

The 26-year-old tight end is pacing to destroy his previous best single NFL season, as he's caught 71 passes (already a single-season high) for 681 yards and four touchdowns. Hockenson's best year statistically prior to this came in 2020 with the Detroit Lions when he caught 67 passes for 723 yards and six scores. With seven games remaining in the season, the Vikings tight end is pacing toward the 1,000-yard mark this season and it'd be surprising if he doesn't top his previous career high in touchdowns as well.