New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings: Fourth Quarter Open Thread

After taking a 16-6 lead over the New Orleans Saints into the locker room at halftime, the Minnesota Vikings got the ball to start the second half. Sam Bradford continued to be outstanding, connecting on a 30-yard pass to Stefon Diggs to quickly put the Vikings into Saints’ territory. Unfortunately, they could only add three points to their lead, as Kai Forbath put a 32-yard field goal attempt just inside the left upright to make the score 19-6 early in the third quarter.

Following a three-and-out by the New Orleans offense, the Vikings pushed into New Orleans territory on another long connection from Bradford to Adam Thielen. Then, an ill-advised end-around to Diggs and a sack by Cameron Jordan stalled the drive at midfield, bringing Ryan Quigley in to punt once again.

The Saints made another long march into Minnesota territory, thanks in large part to a 52-yard pass from Drew Brees to Tommylee Lewis to give New Orleans a first-and-goal situation. Once again, the Vikings’ defense stood tall, and the Saints had to settle for letting Will Lutz attempt his third field goal of the night. He connected from 24 yards out, and cut the Vikings’ lead to 19-9 late in the third.

Bradford found Thielen for another huge gain near the end of the quarter, and as we move to the last quarter of play, the Vikings are looking at 2nd-and-5 from their own 47-yard line.

The Vikings have a ten-point lead over the Saints, 19-9, as we move to the fourth quarter of the 2017 regular season opener. Can they hold on for a 1-0 start?