Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins: Fourth Quarter Open Thread

To start the second half, the Minnesota Vikings kicked the ball away to the Washington Redskins, holding a 20-14 lead after a big second quarter. Chris Thompson returned the Blair Walsh kickoff to the Washington 33-yard line to set the home team up for their first drive. A false start on Brandon Scherff pushed the Redskins back right away, but Cousins found Jordan Reed for a big 16-yard gain to move the sticks. Cousins then found Pierre Garcon for a 14-yard connection, and the Redskins were quickly into Minnesota territory. Cousins and Garcon connected again for a 13-yard gain to the Minnesota 28 and they were threatening once again.

On a third down play, Cousins found Jamison Crowder for a connection to the Minnesota 10-yard line, but Minnesota's defense stiffened up after that, forcing the Redskins to settle for a field goal attempt. Washington called on Dustin Hopkins from 30 yards out, and he split the uprights to make it a 20-17 football game with nine minutes left in the third quarter.

Cordarrelle Patterson did not get an opportunity to return the Dustin Hopkins kickoff, as it went through the end zone for a touchback. The Vikings started from their own 25-yard line, and they reverted to their first quarter form with a three-and-out. The Vikings lined up like they were going to go for it on 4th-and-1, but merely tried to draw the Redskins offsides and took a delay of game. So, Jeff Locke came in to punt once again, and the Redskins took over at their own 32-yard line after the Jeff Locke punt.

Washington was back into Minnesota territory quickly after a pair of runs by Rob Kelley for 19 yards. Cousins then found Maurice Harris on a big third down play to the Minnesota 25 to keep the Redskins' drive moving. Minnesota's defense stood tall once again, forcing another field goal attempt after a nice play by Terence Newman. Dustin Hopkins took his shot from 37 yards out, and he was good once again to tie the game at 20-20.

As we start the fourth quarter of play, the Vikings are looking at a 2nd-and-1 from their own 34-yard line.

With fifteen minutes of football remaining from FedEx Field in Washington, the Vikings and the Redskins are tied at 20. Can the Vikings muster enough to snap their three-game losing streak?