The Minnesota Vikings got the ball to start the second half of their game against the Baltimore Ravens, and they got things going in a big way, thanks to a 42-yard kickoff return by Cordarrelle Patterson that saw him absolutely flatten Ravens' kicker Justin Tucker along the way. The Vikings made a decent push into Baltimore territory, but the drive stalled and the Vikings brought in Blair Walsh once again. The NFL's best kicker was good from 40 yards out to cut Baltimore's lead to just one point at 7-6.
The Vikings then forced the Ravens to go three-and-out once again, despite the best efforts of the officials to give Dennis Pitta about two extra yards on a third down reception. Sam Koch's punt went through the end zone for a touchback, and the Vikings took over at their own 20-yard line. The Vikings then went three-and-out as well, but Jeff Locke managed to put the Ravens back at their own 29 after a punt and a Baltimore penalty.
As the snow started to let up, the Ravens made a decent push on their next drive, moving down to the Minnesota 36-yard line, and were facing a 4th-and-2 situation. Flacco went back to pass, but a heavy rush from Jared Allen forced him to throw incomplete, and the Vikings took over on downs. At this point, the snow was starting to transition to more of a freezing rain.
The Vikings went three-and-out on their next drive, despite a very slick one-handed catch by Greg Jennings on second down. Jeff Locke put the Ravens at their own 20-yard line (despite dropping the snap on the punt), and Baltimore took over again. That was Locke's seventh punt of the day, which is the most he's had in a single game as a pro. . .and there's an entire quarter to play yet.
The Ravens picked up a first down on their next drive, but then Joe Flacco threw one that Andrew Sendejo made a great diving interception on to set the Vikings up at the Baltimore 33-yard line. Honestly, I don't think there's a Vikings' player that's improved more from 2012 to 2013 than Andrew Sendejo. He has to be the other starting safety when Harrison Smith comes back.
As we move to the fourth quarter, the Vikings are looking at 2nd-and-7 from the Baltimore 7-yard line thanks to a roughing the passer call on Ravens' linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Can the Vikings complete what would be a pretty decent-sized upset? We have fifteen minutes to find out.