After a week filled with drama, the Minnesota Vikings needed to just get themselves back out onto the field and put together a solid all-around performance. They did just that against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Kirk Cousins had what was easily his best day of the year. . .he had eclipsed his season-high for passing yards in a game by halftime. . .and the Vikings routed the Giants by a final score of 28-10.
The Vikings opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal by Dan Bailey that accounted for the only points of the first quarter. On the first play after the teams switched sides for the second quarter, Cousins threw his first touchdown pass of the afternoon, hitting Thielen on a very nice fade route from 15 yards out for the score. That made it 10-0 in favor of the Vikings early in the second quarter.
It's 2019 and we're absolutely still Hooked On A Thielen #MINvsNYG pic.twitter.com/ABrCPaJdwW
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 6, 2019
The Giants answered with a 35-yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Daniel Jones to fellow rookie Darius Slayton to cut the lead to 10-7. The Vikings got a 48-yard field goal from Bailey to make it 13-7, and appeared to be on the verge of adding more, but Dalvin Cook had the ball stripped by Jabrill Peppers at the 1-yard line. On the very next play, however, the Vikings added points anyway.
Didn't stand a chance.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 6, 2019
#Skol pic.twitter.com/5By2tCXsPD
Anthony Barr led a host of Vikings into the end zone to take down Giants’ running back Jon Hilliman for a safety, and just like that the Vikings were up, 15-7. Bailey tacked on another field goal to make it 18-7 going into the locker room at halftime.
The Giants got a 32-yard field goal from Aldrick Rosas to cut the lead to 18-10, but the Vikings answered on their next possession, with Cousins and Thielen connecting again.
Go up and get what's yours, @athielen19! pic.twitter.com/lWSYOZrcvw
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 6, 2019
That nine-yard strike extended the Minnesota lead to 25-10, and was set up by an outstanding 41-yard run by Dalvin Cook to set up that first-and-goal situation.
The Giants threatened at the end of the third quarter, but they were turned away on a fourth down attempt by the Vikings’ defense, and specifically by Danielle Hunter.
Danielle Hunter's fourth-down sack pic.twitter.com/ehdXxlLhyn
— Arif Hasan, but spooky (@ArifHasanNFL) October 6, 2019
Bailey added another field goal in the fourth quarter, as he was true from 45 yards out to make it a three-score game at 28-10 with just over four minutes remaining in regulation.
Minnesota’s defense put an exclamation point on a pretty outstanding day, as Anthony Barr intercepted Jones on a fourth-down attempt. The Vikings’ defense sacked Jones four times on the afternoon and collected the second-quarter safety to contribute to the point total.
.@AnthonyBarr showing off the hands! #MINvsNYG #Skol pic.twitter.com/XPI6Q9dN0T
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 6, 2019
That was how it ended, with the Vikings getting a much-needed victory after a bit of a tumultuous week.
This was exactly the sort of game that Kirk Cousins needed to have after his performance in Chicago. He completed 22-of-27 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns and looked as good as he has all season. Adam Thielen was the recipient of both of Cousins’ touchdown tosses, and finished the afternoon with seven receptions for 130 yards. After causing some controversy earlier this week, Stefon Diggs had three catches for 44 yards, while rookie Olabisi Johnson had four grabs for 43 yards.
Dalvin Cook had another outstanding game, both on the ground and in the passing game. He had his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the year, rushing for 132 yards on 21 carries. He also caught six passes for 86 yards, all in the first half. Alexander Mattison picked up 35 yards on six carries, and Ameer Abdullah chipped in with three carries for 24 yards.
The Vikings move to 3-2 on the season, and will host the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Giants fall to 2-3, and have a short week ahead of them, as they’ll travel to take on the New England Patriots for Thursday Night Football.
The Minnesota Vikings get a victory over the New York Giants in Week 5 NFL action, winning by a final score of 28-10 at MetLife Stadium. Thank you to everyone that got their coverage of this week’s game right here at The Daily Norseman!