Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion

We’re at the half at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Vikings lead the Detroit Lions by a score of 17-0.

The Vikings started the second quarter with the ball, and managed to push all the way down to the Detroit 39. Rather than attempt a 56-yard field goal on 4th-and-8, the Vikings punted the ball away. Fortunately, the Vikings’ defense was able to force another three-and-out from David Blough and company as Bo Scarborough was denied on a 3rd-and-1 carry by Shamar Stephen and Stephen Weatherly.

Minnesota took over at their own 35-yard line for their next possession, and quickly got into Detroit territory once again. The drive got all the way to the Detroit 4-yard line, where the Vikings faced a 4th-and-1 after C.J. Ham was denied on 3rd-and-1. The Vikings elected to go for it, and appeared to have a first down. . .but Garrett Bradbury was called for a false start to make it 4th-and-6. The Vikings then elected to call on Dan Bailey, and he connected from 27 yards out to extend the Minnesota lead to 10-0.

Detroit then managed to get a drive into Minnesota territory for the second time, and received aid from several Vikings’ defensive penalties. At the two-minute warning, the Lions were at the Minnesota 29-yard line, and wound up picking up slightly more yardage before Danielle Hunter made his presence felt again. He sacked Blough for a huge 12-yard loss, and the Lions were forced to bring on Matt Prater for a 45-yard field goal attempt. . .that he pushed wide to the right! That gave the Vikings the ball at their own 35-yard line with just over a minute left in the half.

Minnesota took advantage, courtesy of a 3-yard touchdown run from Dalvin Cook. The run was set up by a huge 44-yard pass from Cousins to Diggs that nearly went for the score by itself. Dan Bailey added the extra point, and the Vikings extended their lead to 17-0.

That’s how they went into the locker room after an outstanding first half for the Vikings.

Kirk Cousins was outstanding in the first 30 minutes, completing 17-of-20 passes for 182 yards and a score. He completed passes to ten different receivers in the first half. Here’s the full list:

• Stefon Diggs - 5 rec/87 yd
• C.J. Ham - 1 rec/25 yd
• Alexander Mattison - 2 rec/18 yd
• Irv Smith Jr. - 2 rec/14 yd
• Dalvin Cook - 1 rec/10 yd
• Olabisi Johnson - 1 rec/9 yd
• Tyler Conklin - 2 rec/8 yd
• Laquon Treadwell - 1 rec/6 yd
• Kyle Rudolph - 1 rec/3 yd
• Ameer Abdullah - 1 rec/2 yd

On the ground, the tandem of Cook and Mattison has done an outstanding job thus far, as Cook has 13 carries for 48 yards and a score, while Mattison has 22 yards on five carries in relief.

Defensively, the Vikings have collected four sacks of the rookie quarterback, David Blough, and the Lions go into the locker room with just 70 yards of total offense to go along with no points.

The Vikings get the ball first coming out of the locker room, and can really put this one away with a score. They lead, 17-0, after the first half of play at U.S. Bank Stadium. Come join us for the third quarter!