Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins: Second Quarter Open Thread

To start the Week 10 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, the Vikings won the coin toss and chose to defer to the second half, giving the home team the football first. Kai Forbath and company kicked the ball deep for a touchback, giving the Redskins a start at their own 25-yard line.

Washington picked up a first down two plays in on a pass from Kirk Cousins to Ryan Grant, and a couple of plays later found themselves in Minnesota territory at the 47. A couple of plays later, Cousins dropped back and lofted a long pass to Maurice Harris, who made a ridiculous one-handed catch at the goal line. It was initially ruled an incomplete pass, but the Redskins challenged and the call was overturned for a Washington touchdown. The pass covered 36 yards, and with the extra point from Nick Rose the Redskins staked themselves to an early 7-0 lead.

The kickoff from Rose went into the end zone for a touchback, giving the Vikings a start at their own 25-yard line for their first possession. The Vikings got a couple of quick chunks of yardage on an 8-yard pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs and a 14-yard run from Latavius Murray. Then, Keenum dropped back and found Diggs for a huge 51-yard gain to the Washington 2-yard line, and two plays later, Murray punched it in from a yard out for a Minnesota touchdown. Forbath added the extra point, and we were tied at 7-7 midway through the first quarter.

Forbath then booted a bit of a squib kick on the kickoff, and Samaje Perine returned it to the 30-yard line to start the Redskins’ second possession of the afternoon. This drive went much better for Minnesota, as they forced the Redskins into a three-and-out and forced a punt from Tress Way. Way’s punt went to Marcus Sherels, who returned it to the Minnesota 18-yard line.

Unfortunately, all the Vikings could do was go three-and-out themselves, as Keenum was hit as he attempted to throw on third down. Ryan Quigley punted it away, and Jamison Crowder called for a fair catch at the Washington 38-yard line.

The Vikings appeared to have another three-and-out, but Linval Joseph was called for roughing the passer on Cousins on a third down pass that fell incomplete to extend Washington’s drive into Minnesota territory. Washington then pushed themselves to a 4th-and-2 from the Minnesota 35-yard line, and Jay Gruden elected to go for it. Cousins took a snap and found running back Chris Thompson for a 27-yard gain down to the Vikings’ 8-yard line. On first-and-goal, Cousins handed off to Rob Kelley, and it appeared that Eric Kendricks had forced a fumble that the Vikings recovered. Unfortunately for the Vikings, the call was reversed and the Redskins kept possession at the Minnesota 10-yard line. After that, the Vikings’ defense stood up once again, and forced a 28-yard field goal attempt for Rose, who split the uprights to make it 10-7.

Rose’s kickoff went down to Marcus Sherels in the end zone, who took a knee for a touchback. As we go to the second quarter of play, the Vikings are looking at a 1st-and-10 from their own 37-yard line.

After one quarter of play, the Washington Redskins lead the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 10-7. Come join us for the second quarter of play, won’t you?