Minnesota controlled the first quarter, holding more than an 11-minute advantage in time of possession. The Seahawks had a three-and-out on their first possession and punter Jon Ryan panicked after fielding a low snap. Ryan saw the rush of Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, who had fallen down in his block attempt, and took off on fourth-and-7 from his own 25. He was stopped short of the first down and the Vikings capitalized with a 22-yard Blair Walsh chip shot to break the scoreless tie.
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Ryan suffered a bloody nose after taking a faceplant into the frozen turf, but did not miss any time.
After driving well into Vikings territory, the Seahawks passed on a 47-yard field-goal attempt in the frigid conditions, but Russell Wilson’s pass to Fred Jackson on fourth-and-13 netted just seven yards. At 34 years old, Jackson became the oldest running back in NFL history to make his playoff debut.
