Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion

We’re at halftime of this AFC/NFC matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Minnesota Vikings lead the Tennessee Titans by a score of 17-9.

The Titans went for the end zone on the first play of the quarter, but Ryan Tannehill’s pass was badly underthrown and intercepted by Harrison Smith to stop the drive.

The Vikings turned the drive into points, courtesy of Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen, who connected on a 16-yard touchdown! Dan Bailey hit the extra point and the Vikings extended their lead to 14-6.

The Titans pushed their next drive to near midfield and found themselves facing a 4th-and-1 from their own 44 after Mike Zimmer successfully challenged a play to give the Titans a first down. Tennessee converted with a short run by Derrick Henry. . .barely. . .and held on to the ball. The managed another field goal from Stephen Gostkowski, this one a 30-yarder to make it 14-9.

Minnesota added a field goal of their own just after the two-minute warning, a 41-yarder from Bailey to make the score 17-9.

The big story from this one has been the coming out party for rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson. In the first half, he has six receptions and 104 yards, his first 100-yard game in the National Football League. Thielen has two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown, while Dalvin Cook has a pair of catches for 18 yards. This adds up to a pretty efficient first half for Kirk Cousins, who completed 10-of-14 passes for 144 yards and a score.

Cook has also been solid on the ground despite the early fumble. He’s carried the ball 10 times for 76 yards and the 39-yard touchdown that got Minnesota on the board. Alexander Mattison has gotten four carries for seven yards and Adam Thielen has a 4-yard run.

We’re at halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium, folks, and the Vikings will get the football coming out of the locker room at halftime, holding a 17-9 lead over the Tennessee Titans. Come on in and join us for the third quarter of play!