Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson knew it was a matter of when, not if.
Covering New York Giants receiver Isaiah Hodgins for much of Sunday’s 27-24 win at MetLife Stadium, Peterson and the second-year wideout spent much of the day jawing back and forth. A fourth-quarter interception gave the three-time First-Team All-Pro the last laugh.
“I just told him, ‘Stay patient. It’s a four-quarter game,’” Peterson said in a postgame interview with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “‘Trust me, I am going to get a pick today. If your quarterback gives me enough opportunities, I will get a pick.’ And I made them pay.”
For three quarters, Hodgins got the better of Peterson, who allowed six receptions on nine targets for 67 yards and a touchdown, but with the Giants’ desperation kicking in following a T.J. Hockenson go-ahead 15-yard touchdown to start the fourth quarter, Peterson had time to redeem himself.
Targeting Hodgins for the 10th time, Giants QB Daniel Jones fired a pass in his direction. Reading the play perfectly, Peterson jumped the route, plucked the ball out of the air and promptly halted New York’s drive just short of the red zone.
The interception appeared to be a moment of catharsis for Peterson, who was left off the NFC roster for 2022 Pro Bowl.
“Very personal,” Peterson said. “I felt like my stats are that of a top-five corner, rated the No. 2 cornerback in the NFC, the most snaps, the least targeted — that’s shutdown to me. But it’s a younger man’s game.”
