T.J. Hockenson — Week 8: The Go-Ahead Touchdown
2026 NFL Season · Half-PPR Scoring · Monday, Nov 2
Hockenson caught 4 of 5 targets for 58 yards and the 8-yard touchdown that put Minnesota ahead in the fourth quarter against the Lions, three of his catches on third down, in a 19-15 loss at Detroit.
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T.J. Hockenson was Minnesota's most valuable receiver against the Lions: 5 targets, 4 catches, 58 yards, a touchdown and +6.5 expected points added (EPA). EPA is what a play was worth given down, distance and field position. Three of the catches came on third down.
The touchdown came down 12-7 with 8:48 left, two snaps after Jordan Addison's 51-yard catch. Second and 8 at the Detroit 8, Kyler Murray threw short over the middle and Hockenson caught it in the end zone: +2.2 EPA and 11.0 points of win probability, the estimate of each side's chance to win, for 13-12 before Addison's two-point catch made it 15-12.
The third-down catches carried two drives. With 51 seconds left in the first quarter, third and 3 at the Detroit 38, he caught a deep ball to the right for 22 yards to the 16, +2.5 EPA; Justin Jefferson scored three snaps later. Down 12-7 late in the third, third and 7 at the Minnesota 41, another deep throw to the right went for 18, +2.6 EPA and 7.7 points. On the same drive his 10-yarder on third and 15 left fourth and 5 at the Detroit 25, and the next throw fell incomplete.
Per target it was more than double his season. Through Week 7 he had 32 targets, 27 catches, 237 yards, 2 touchdowns and +18.5 EPA, +0.58 a target; here it was +1.29.
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_Data via nflverse._
When T.J. Hockenson's week moves the numbers, you'll know — every episode, in one weekly email.
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