Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins: Third Quarter Open Thread

Trailing the Washington Redskins by a score of 10-7, the Minnesota Vikings found themselves with a first down at their own 37-yard line. After Case Keenum was nearly intercepted on the first play of the quarter, he found Adam Thielen for a huge 38-yard catch-and-run to put the Vikings into Washington territory at the 19-yard line. Two plays later, Jerick McKinnon took a handoff and blasted for 10 yards down to the Washington 5. Three plays later, Keenum rolled to his left and found Stefon Diggs in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown pass to give the Vikings the lead. Forbath hit the extra point, and the Vikings found themselves on top by a score of 14-10.

With the Vikings kicking off from the 20 after Diggs was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on his touchdown celebration, Maurice Harris. . .who scored the Redskins’ touchdown in the first quarter. . .brought the return to the Washington 40-yard line. Two carries by Samaje Perine later, the Redskins were into Minnesota territory with a first down to the Vikings’ 47-yard line. The Redskins stuck with the run, and three plays later picked up another first down at the Minnesota 36.

After a holding penalty on the Redskins, Kirk Cousins found a wide open Jamison Crowder for a big 32-yard gain to the Minnesota 14-yard line. A pass from Cousins to Vernon Davis pushed the Redskins down to the 4-yard line, and after a challenge of a spot by Mike Zimmer, it was ruled that Davis had come up short, bringing up 4th-and-short. Perine converted on a handoff to take the ball down to the 1-yard line. After a couple of plays, Cousins took it in on a quarterback sneak to give the Redskins the lead back. Nick Rose hit the extra point, and Washington went up 17-14.

Marcus Sherels took the kick from Nick Rose and returned it out to the Minnesota 29-yard line to set up Minnesota’s next possession. Latavius Murray carried the ball twice and got the Vikings a first down to the 40-yard line. Keenum then found Adam Thielen for another huge play, this one a 38-yard pass to the Washington 22, and then found Thielen again for another big play to the Redskins’ 5 for 17 more as we hit the two-minute warning.

Jerick McKinnon was then dropped for a loss on first-and-goal, and on second down Keenum found Thielen for a 7-yard touchdown reception! Forbath added the extra point, and the Vikings took a 21-17 lead.

On Washington’s first offensive play of the next drive, Cousins overthrew his intended receiver, and the ball landed in the hands of Mackensie Alexander for his first career interception. Alexander brought the ball back to the Washington 23-yard line, and the Vikings were threatening once again. Keenum then hit Murray for 9 on a screen pass, and Latavius Murray carried it down to the 1 to set up first and goal. On first-and-goal, Keenum threw his third touchdown pass of the afternoon, finding David Morgan for a 1-yard score, and Forbath’s extra point put the Vikings up by a score of 28-17 just before halftime. That’s how they went into the locker room at FedEx Field.

Case Keenum has been on fire in the first half, posting a perfect QB rating of 158.3 in the first half. He has completed 11-of-14 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Thielen has been the main beneficiary, as he’s hauled in four passes for exactly 100 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs has three catches for 62 yards and a score, and Kyle Rudolph has 16 yards on two receptions. Jerick McKinnon has a 9-yard reception, and Morgan has his 1-yard score.

Minnesota has also had some success running the ball, as Murray has carried the ball eight times for 43 yards and a touchdown, while Jerick McKinnon has 16 yards on four carries.

We’re at halftime at FedEx Field, and the Minnesota Vikings’ offense is on fire, leading the Washington Redskins by a score of 28-17. The second half of action will be kicking off here soon.