Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings: Third Quarter Open Thread

The Minnesota Vikings went into the second quarter with a 3-0 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs at TCF Bank Stadium, and there was a real bit of drama at around the 10-minute mark of the quarter. Teddy Bridgewater completed a pass to Matt Asiata, who took the ball down to the Kansas City 42-yard line, just short of a first down. Asiata was ruled down short of the sticks, and after Mike Zimmer's challenge for the spot failed, the Vikings went for it on fourth-and-inches. Adrian Peterson converted for the first down, and Minnesota kept possession of the football.

A roughing the passer penalty on the Chiefs moved Minnesota down to the Kansas City 20-yard line, and a completion to Rhett Ellison took the ball inside the Kansas City 5 for a first-and-goal. On third down, after a couple of minimal carries for Peterson, Bridgewater found Kyle Rudolph in the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass, and Blair Walsh's extra point made the score 10-0 in favor of the home team.

Kansas City started their next drive from their own 20-yard line following a touchback, and the Vikings forced a three-and-out thanks to an outstanding tackle by rookie Eric Kendricks to stone Knile Davis on 3rd-and-1. Dustin Colquitt got a huge punt away, pushing the Vikings back to their own 16-yard line just ahead of the two-minute warning. Unfortunately, the Vikings went three-and-out, and Jeff Locke's punt was marked down at the Kansas City 31-yard line after a Chiefs' penalty. The two teams exchanged punts to end the first half, and the Vikings went into the locker room with a 10-0 lead.

Looking at the stat sheet, one of the bigger stories of the afternoon so far is the job that the Chiefs have done against Adrian Peterson. Through two quarters of play, Peterson has just 16 yards on 17 carries, and hasn't had a run longer than six yards. Bridgewater is making up for it, as he's completed 11-of-19 passes so far for 176 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Bridgewater's favorite target has been Diggs, who has reeled in four grabs for 81 yards in his first NFL start. Jarius Wright's lone catch was a big 52-yarder on the Vikings' first drive, and Mike Wallace has two grabs for 23 yards.

The Minnesota defense has absolutely stifled the Kansas City offense in two quarters of play. Alex Smith has completed 7-of-11 passes, but has accumulated just 43 yards on those completions. Kansas City's leading receiver is fullback Anthony Sherman, who has one reception for 13 yards. The running game for the Chiefs hasn't done much either, as Knile Davis has eight yards on two carries and Charcandrick West has ten yards on four carries. Thus far, the Chiefs barely have more total yards on offense (51) than they have penalty yards (50). Smith has also been sacked twice, with Eric Kendricks collecting one and Danielle Hunter splitting the other one with Sharrif Floyd.

At halftime at TCF Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings lead the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 10-0. The visitors will get the ball first coming out of the locker room. Come on in and join us for the second half of play!