Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion

It’s halftime at the Superdome, and your Minnesota Vikings trail the New Orleans Saints by a score of 24-14.

The Saints added more points early in the quarter, getting a 30-yard field goal from Will Lutz after an actual defensive stop by the Vikings. That extended the lead to 17-7.

The Vikings marched down the field again on their next possession and cut into the New Orleans lead again. Minnesota got their second touchdown of the game, this one coming courtesy of Mike Boone. A five-yard run from Boone and Dan Bailey’s extra point cut the deficit to 17-14 in favor of the home team.

It looked like the Saints were getting ready to add more, but Drew Brees threw pass in the red zone that was intercepted by rookie Harrison Hand! It’s the first interception of Hand’s career and put an end to the New Orleans threat.

Unfortunately, the Vikings followed up the interception with a three-and-out that ended with Cousins being sacked. After the punt, the Saints pushed down the field once again and got another touchdown from the same source, as Alvin Kamara went over from five yards out for the score. It was Kamara’s third of the afternoon, and the Lutz extra point put the Saints back ahead by 10 at 24-14. That’s how they went into the locker room at halftime in New Orleans.

The Vikings’ offense hasn’t been bad by any stretch, save for the three-and-out following the Hand interception. Dalvin Cook has run the ball nine times for 51 yards and a touchdown, and Boone has added his 4-yard touchdown run as well. Ameer Abdullah also had a 13-yard run for the Vikings in the first half.

As far as the pass game, Cousins has been efficient, completing 10-of-15 passes for 129 yards. Adam Thielen has three catches for 42 yards to lead the way, while Justin Jefferson has a pair of grabs for 36 yards in his return to his hometown.

The Vikings will get the football to start the second half, and they’re staring down a 10-point deficit against the New Orleans Saints. Can they actually get some sort of defensive stops at some point and give themselves a chance to win? Come join us and find out!