Daily Norseman - 2019 NFL Week 8: Washington Redskins at Minnesota VikingsThe Purple and Gold Standardhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48653/dailynorseman_fave.png2019-10-25T16:19:16-05:00http://www.dailynorseman.com/rss/stream/206880312019-10-25T16:19:16-05:002019-10-25T16:19:16-05:00Vikings vs. Redskins Week 8: Five Game-Changing Plays
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<p>Looking back at the most important plays from the 19-9 win over Washington.</p> <p id="hytyIH">On Thursday night, the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> had 434 total yards of offense, including 161 on the ground. They won the turnover battle. They didn’t punt the entire game. They ran 29 more plays and held the ball for over 13 minutes more than the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Redskins</a>. They had more than twice as many yards as Washington. Their offense, defense, and special teams all had positive expected points.</p>
<p id="meDMl5"><span>Kirk Cousins</span> threw three incompletions all night; one was a drop by <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838555/dalvin-cook-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Dalvin Cook</a> and the other two were throwaways after being pressured. <span>Cook</span> and <span>Alexander Mattison</span> combined for 235 yards from scrimmage. <span>Stefon Diggs</span> set a franchise record for most receiving yards over a three-game stretch, beating out Hall of Famer Randy Moss to set the mark.</p>
<p id="bAi2F8">Yet somehow, the Vikings scored only 19 points in what most would consider an “ugly” win. And to be honest, it wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing game, especially after the fireworks display the offense had been setting off over the past three weeks. After giving it much thought and poring over the tape, I believe I have come up with the only logical explanation:</p>
<p id="ubakwZ">Thursday night football is really damn weird. So let’s just enjoy the fact that the Vikings finished a perfect October with an imperfect win and hope the players enjoy their well-earned mini-bye before traveling to Kansas City next weekend.</p>
<p id="EVxAlp">Let’s put a bow on going 6-2 at the midway point of the season by going through the five biggest plays from the win over Washington.</p>
<h3 id="AABD21">Play 1: Redskins ball, 1st & 10 at the Minnesota 47. First quarter, 9:04 remaining. C.Keenum sacked at WAS 46 for -7 yards (D.<span>Hunter</span>). FUMBLES (D.<span>Hunter</span>) [D.Hunter], RECOVERED by MIN-S.Stephen at WAS 46. S.Stephen to WAS 46 for no gain (A.Peterson).</h3>
<p id="GrgXH2">The opening drive of the game looked very promising for the Vikings, until an surprisingly familiar scene occurred: a <span>Diggs</span> fumble. Da’Ron Payne hustled over 30 yards down field from his defensive tackle position to pop the ball out. <span>Ryan Anderson</span> recovered, and the Vikings failed to score on their opening drive for the first time in four home games this season.</p>
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<p id="H5R9ty">Washington had already moved the ball past midfield on their opening drive before former Viking Case Keenum returned the favor with a little help from <span>Danielle Hunter</span>.</p>
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<p id="8Qe3il">Hunter got just enough of the ball to poke it out while bringing Keenum down. <span>Shamar Stephen</span> pounced on the ball and the <span>Diggs</span> fumble was officially neutralized. After getting the ball back, the Vikings had a bizarre eight-play, 14-yard drive that ended with <span>Dan Bailey</span> nailing a 50 yard field goal for the game’s first score.</p>
<p id="YiJwLu">Washington answered back with a long drive that took the remainder of the first quarter. Vikings fans were none too happy with how <span>Xavier Rhodes</span> performed on the drive. Keenum found <span>Terry McLaurin</span> twice for 23 yards in front of <span>Rhodes</span> before McLaurin drew a 19-yard pass interference penalty on Rhodes with the first play of the second quarter. Suddenly Washington had a first & goal with a chance to take the lead.</p>
<h3 id="IkctCw">Play 2: Redskins ball, 2nd & goal at the Minnesota 2. Second quarter, 14:52 remaining. (Shotgun) A.Peterson right guard to MIN 3 for -1 yards (A.<span>Barr</span>, L.<span>Joseph</span>).</h3>
<p id="gHXr1r">We could have chosen any of three stops the defense made on this series. For instance, we could have gone with the first down play, where the Vikings defense perfectly played Washington’s bunch left formation. <span>Mike Hughes</span> defended McLaurin perfectly, and Keenum was fortunate to get away with only an incompletion.</p>
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<p id="Pak5nA">(You may notice Rhodes blanketing <span>Trey Quinn</span> in the flat as well. It wasn’t <em>all</em> bad for Rhodes on Thursday night. Just mostly bad.)</p>
<p id="NGyEAz">We could have also gone with the third down play, where Keenum was forced to throw the ball into the ground and an offensive holding call would have negated a score anyway. But let’s go with the second down play, when Washington tried to give <span>Adrian Peterson</span> a touchdown in the city he played in for ten years.</p>
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<p id="WY7K7U"><span>Anthony Barr</span> beat <span>Jeremy Sprinkle</span> on the left edge while <span>Linval Joseph</span> made sure there was no room for AP to sneak through. It was a big hold by the defense that kept the score at 3-3 early in the second quarter.</p>
<p id="9hqF6U">The next drive for the Vikings was the Cook and Diggs show. They combined for 77 yards to get as close as the Washington 3 yard line, but two sacks made the Vikings settle for another field goal. Keenum and the Redskins answered with an impressive drive of their own, getting deep in Minnesota territory once again.</p>
<h3 id="QhPGO1">Play 3: Redskins ball, 2nd & goal at the Minnesota 5. Second quarter, 2:53 remaining. (Shotgun) C.Keenum sacked at MIN 11 for -6 yards (L.Joseph). FUMBLES (L.Joseph) [L.Joseph], recovered by WAS-E.Flowers at MIN 12. E.Flowers to MIN 12 for no gain (S.Stephen).</h3>
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<p id="j6StFv">The sack from Joseph was a big play because it forced Washington to settle for another field goal. It turned out to have even more of an impact because it proved to be Keenum’s penultimate play of the game. A screen pass to <span>Wendell Smallwood</span> was thwarted by <span>Eric Kendricks</span> on the next play, and Keenum never saw the field again due to a concussion. It appears that the concussion was suffered on the sack. Keenum’s head ran into both Hunter’s arm and the turf on the way down.</p>
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<p id="Q2d2WC"><span>Dwayne Haskins Jr.</span> took over in the third quarter, which definitely changed the dynamic of the game.</p>
<p id="4wWQKH">After Dustin Hopkins tied the game at 6-6, it was suddenly past the two-minute warning. The game was flying by and Washington was still hanging around. The Vikings needed a score before the half.</p>
<p id="EpiEaY">Enter <span>Dalvin Cook</span>.</p>
<h3 id="92mCtk">Play 4: Vikings ball, 1st & 10 at the Washington 39. Second quarter, 1:02 remaining. (No Huddle, Shotgun) K.<span>Cousins</span> pass short left to D.Cook pushed ob at WAS 8 for 31 yards (J.Norman).</h3>
<p id="qgBmy9">The first four plays of the two-minute drive from the Vikings:</p>
<ol>
<li id="N8O5kx">Short pass to Cook for 5 yards.</li>
<li id="QBVlPn">Screen pass to Cook for 15 yards.</li>
<li id="TWAqFY">Pass to <span>Olabisi Johnson</span> for 16 yards.</li>
<li id="pfT0E6">This.</li>
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<p id="oKpPYk">The left side of the offensive line did well on the initial blocks for the screen pass, and then Cook conjured up some magic to turn it into a 31-yard gain.</p>
<p id="kQhMyg">After Mattison gave him a breather with two runs, Cook finished off what would turn out to be the game’s only touchdown drive with seven seconds remaining in the half. The Vikings took the lead into the locker room despite a less than stellar performance.</p>
<p id="qbMa3G">The Vikings started the second half well, forcing the game’s first three-and-out and then driving from their own 9 yard line to Washington’s 9 yard line on the next drive. Unfortunately, they sputtered in the red zone again and had to settle for another field goal. Washington answered with a field goal of their own to once again make it a one-score game.</p>
<p id="8u6rxK">The most controversial play call of the night—perhaps the season—came from Mike Zimmer on the following drive. On 4th & 1 from his own 34, he decided to go for it with a Cousins quarterback sneak. It didn’t work.</p>
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<p id="XdOO0d">I will vehemently defend going for it here. The quarterback sneak is a high percentage play that the Vikings have successfully converted this season. The execution wasn’t great on this one though. Payne made his second huge play of the game by plowing low through the line and stopping Cousins before he could make any forward progress. But again—the play failing does<em> not </em>make it a bad idea, even if Zimmer claimed it was “the dumbest call since he has been [in Minnesota].” If they had converted, everyone would have been singing Zimmer’s praises for having the testicular fortitude of going for the kill and putting the game away. I really hope that this single result doesn’t completely change Zimmer’s approach to fourth down.</p>
<p id="r47wK5">Regardless of where you stand on the decision, none of it mattered anyway because the Vikings got the ball right back.</p>
<h3 id="Rv34u6">Play 5: Redskins ball, 2nd & 6 at the Minnesota 30. Third quarter, 2:05 remaining. D.Haskins pass deep middle intended for T.McLaurin INTERCEPTED by A.<span>Harris</span> at MIN 14. A.<span>Harris</span> to MIN 19 for 5 yards (T.McLaurin).</h3>
<p id="JdUe3s">Thank goodness for <span>Anthony Harris</span>. (And, let’s be honest: Dwayne Haskins.)</p>
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<p id="uaAoOu">Haskins missed McLaurin high and Harris was there to stop any threat of Washington tying the game after getting great field position.</p>
<p id="VdnrnE">That play happened with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Washington had the ball for four offensive plays the rest of the game.</p>
<h3 id="ffJkJb">Bonus: Vikings ball, 3rd & 19 at the Washington 41. Fourth quarter, 3:17 remaining. (Shotgun) A.Mattison up the middle to WAS 13 for 28 yards (L.Collins).</h3>
<p id="66POPy">After the Harris interception, the Vikings put together a drive that lasted eleven plays and ended in <span>Bailey</span>’s fourth field goal of the game. The defense forced a three-and-out to give the ball back to the offense with 8:42 remaining in the game.</p>
<p id="K2rMV3">The Redskins got the ball back with 26 seconds left.</p>
<p id="zKORyj">It’s usually tough to pick out a single play when a team is grinding out an epic 15-play drive that consists of nothing but running plays and salts the game away. But the obvious choice here was Mattison’s ridiculous third down conversion that put the game on ice for good.</p>
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<p id="1lFrrz">The Vikings didn’t score on the drive, but they didn’t need to because they had already ground the clock into a pulp. So yes, this wasn’t the “prettiest” win and it came against some pretty weak competition. But a win is a win is a win is a win, and four wins in a row is even better. Let’s hope the Vikings can keep this going through the second half of the regular season and beyond.</p>
<p id="LefGaK">As always, we welcome you to vote in the poll to tell us which play you thought was the biggest and encourage you to suggest any we may have missed in the comments.</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/25/20932384/minnesota-vikings-washington-redskins-recap-week-8-five-game-changing-playsEric Thompson2019-10-24T22:07:34-05:002019-10-24T22:07:34-05:00Minnesota Vikings 19, Washington Redskins 9: Cousins gets the last word
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<figcaption>Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done</p> <p id="F7PIga">It might not have been the sort of final score that many of us. . .including myself. . .were anticipating, but in the National Football League, a win is a win.</p>
<p id="hHFT6f">Behind some pretty solid defense and four <span>Dan Bailey</span> field goals, the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> knocked off the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> on Thursday Night Football by a final score of 19-9.</p>
<p id="sojsBS">After both teams fumbled on their opening possessions. . .<span>Stefon Diggs</span> for the Vikings and <span>Case Keenum</span> for the Redskins. . .the Vikings got the game’s first points, as <span>Dan Bailey</span> connected on a 50-yard field goal to give the purple a 3-0 lead.</p>
<p id="hgfkNl">The Redskins evened things up with a field goal of their own, as <span>Dustin Hopkins</span> connected from 21 yards out a minute into the second quarter to make it 3-3. After another long drive, the Vikings were forced to settle for another field goal, as <span>Bailey</span> connected from 29 to make it 6-3, Vikings, midway through the second quarter.</p>
<p id="Z1etQm">Washington tied it again just after the two-minute warning, as Hopkins connected from 30 yards out to tie the game at 6-6.</p>
<p id="L3NsuR">The Vikings got the first touchdown of the game just before the half, as <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838555/dalvin-cook-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Dalvin Cook</a> went over from four yards out with just seven seconds left on the clock to give Minnesota a 13-6 lead going into the locker room.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/dalvincook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dalvincook</a> with the extra effort!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Skol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Skol</a> <a href="https://t.co/PtQEUEJaLu">pic.twitter.com/PtQEUEJaLu</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1187542546953584640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2019</a>
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<p id="kfKwro">Washington started the second half with rookie Dwayne Haskins at quarterback, as <span>Case Keenum</span> was placed in the concussion protocol and was later declared out for the game.</p>
<p id="A96DGv">The teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, with <span>Bailey</span> connecting from 27 and Hopkins hitting from 43 to make it 16-9.</p>
<p id="ayGyKC">The Vikings rolled the dice late in the third quarter, choosing to go for it on 4th-and-inches from their own 35-yard line. They called a sneak for <span>Kirk Cousins</span>, but he was turned away by the Washington defense for a stop. Minnesota’s defense made it a moot point just two plays later, thanks to <span>Anthony Harris</span>.</p>
<div id="qP4i6J">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Haskins INT - Had McLaurin over the middle, sailed his throw. Aikman on commentary pointed to Haskins' low elbow which has a tendency to cause it to sail. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Redskins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Redskins</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ci9q2J88FN">pic.twitter.com/Ci9q2J88FN</a></p>— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBullockNFL/status/1187555513862672384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2019</a>
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<p id="p7C2Z9">The Vikings followed the interception with another Bailey field goal, his fourth of the night, from 40 yards out to extend the lead back to 19-9.</p>
<p id="MgMUbv">After the Vikings got the ball back with 8:42 left on the clock, the Vikings chose to just grind the Redskins into dust behind the combination of <span>Dalvin Cook</span> and <span>Alexander Mattison</span>. By the time they gave the ball back with just 26 seconds left, the Redskins couldn’t do anything to prevent their seventh loss in eight games.</p>
<p id="YJL6Xb"><span>Cousins</span> had an outstanding night throwing the football, completing 23-of-26 passes for 285 yards. Of his three incompletions, one was a dropped screen pass by <span>Dalvin Cook</span> and the other two were passes he just threw away. <span>Stefon Diggs</span> had another huge contest, as he caught seven passes for 143 yards. <span>Olabisi Johnson</span> had a pair of catches for 27 yards, and <span>Irv Smith Jr.</span> (21 yards) and <span>Kyle Rudolph</span> (17 yards) each had three catches. <span>Laquon Treadwell</span> also got into the scorebook, catching a pass for one yard.</p>
<p id="1SGn7d">It was another big game for Dalvin Cook as well. He ran the ball 23 times for 98 yards and the only touchdown of the evening for either team. He also caught five passes for 73 yards, mostly in the screen game. Alexander Mattison had another very nice performance in relief of Cook, carrying the ball 13 times for 61 yards.</p>
<p id="bzF6Om">The Vikings did not allow a touchdown to the Redskins, who have now gone two consecutive games without putting the ball into the end zone. They also did not punt on the evening.</p>
<p id="xuzxaz">Minnesota runs their record to 6-2 on the year, and now get a “mini-bye” before what should be a very interesting trip to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 9 to take on the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a>. The Redskins fall to 1-7 and travel to play the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> in Week 9 action.</p>
<p id="0fdZSp">The Minnesota Vikings enter the midway point of the season with a record of 6-2, as they hold off the Washington Redskins on Thursday Night Football by a final score of 19-9. Thank you to everyone that got their coverage of tonight’s game right here at The Daily Norseman!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/24/20929905/minnesota-vikings-washington-redskins-final-score-game-recapChristopher Gates2019-10-24T21:27:03-05:002019-10-24T21:27:03-05:00Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings: Third quarter recap and fourth quarter discussion
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<img alt="Washington Redskins v&nbsp;Minnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sug1X8qj0gFBRaWJrsCNg2mKcvY=/0x373:2730x2193/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65550513/1183262875.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s still a one-touchdown lead for the good guys</p> <p id="VVblor">Just one quarter of Thursday Night Football remains at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> maintain their one-touchdown lead over the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, leading by a score of 16-9.</p>
<p id="k619Iy">The Redskins started the second half with rookie Dwayne Haskins at quarterback, as <span>Case Keenum</span> has been placed in the concussion protocol. Minnesota’s defense generated a three-and-out to start the half. The Vikings pushed into Washington territory, but had to settle for <span>Dan Bailey</span>’s third field goal of the night, a 27-yarder to extend the Minnesota lead to 16-6.</p>
<p id="tvzbgE">Not to be outdone, <span>Dustin Hopkins</span> connected on his third field goal of the night on the Redskins’ next drive, this one a 43-yarder to cut the Minnesota lead back to a touchdown at 16-9. On their next drive, the Vikings found themselves with 4th-and-inches from their own 35-yard line, but an attempted sneak by Cousins was turned back by the Washington defense and the Vikings turned it over in good field position for the visitors.</p>
<p id="DNl6xX">The Vikings made the decision a moot point, however, thanks to their second turnover of the night, this one courtesy of Anthony Harris. He intercepted a pass from Dwayne Haskins that bounced off the hands of rookie <span>Terry McLaurin</span> and got the Vikings the football back.</p>
<div id="FlGdz4">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Haskins INT - Had McLaurin over the middle, sailed his throw. Aikman on commentary pointed to Haskins' low elbow which has a tendency to cause it to sail. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Redskins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Redskins</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ci9q2J88FN">pic.twitter.com/Ci9q2J88FN</a></p>— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBullockNFL/status/1187555513862672384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2019</a>
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<p id="4CpJ3h">As we move to the fourth quarter of play, the Vikings are looking at a 3rd-and-4 from their own 46-yard line.</p>
<p id="9cDMXq">We’ve got fifteen minutes left from U.S. Bank Stadium, folks. Can the Vikings hold on to this one and capture their fourth consecutive victory?</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/24/20929903/washington-redskins-minnesota-vikings-third-quarter-recap-fourth-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2019-10-24T20:38:22-05:002019-10-24T20:38:22-05:00Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion
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<img alt="Washington Redskins v&nbsp;Minnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/acp-vE03S8Ny3a-3PJY0xW5d4Wk=/41x0:2455x1609/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65550293/1183258236.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Minnesota leads by a touchdown at the half</p> <p id="koiQb2">We’ve reached halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium, and though it’s been a bit on the ugly side, the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> lead the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> by a score of 13-6.</p>
<p id="ynLY8O">Minnesota had a 3-0 lead going into the second quarter, but Washington started with the ball deep in Minnesota territory at the 21-yard line. The Redskins then got a pass interference call against <span>Xavier Rhodes</span> to move the ball down to the 2-yard line for a first-and-goal. The Vikings’ defense held, though, and Washington settled for a 21-yard field goal from <span>Dustin Hopkins</span> to even the score at 3-3.</p>
<p id="hL78xw">The Vikings put together a nice drive on their next possession, and they got themselves to a first-and-goal from the Washington 10. After that, <span>Kirk Cousins</span> was sacked twice in three plays, and the Vikings had to settle for a second <span>Dan Bailey</span> field goal attempt. He was good from 29 yards out, and Minnesota took the lead back at 6-3.</p>
<p id="F79aXO">Minnesota finally put the ball into the end zone at the end of the half. They marched 75 yards in seven plays, capping things off with a 4-yard run from <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838555/dalvin-cook-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Dalvin Cook</a> to make it 13-6 going into the locker room.</p>
<div id="EYVkJu">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/dalvincook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dalvincook</a> with the extra effort!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Skol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Skol</a> <a href="https://t.co/PtQEUEJaLu">pic.twitter.com/PtQEUEJaLu</a></p>— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1187542546953584640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="XIHwQI">It’s been a very fast half of football. Neither team punted, each team has one turnover, and we’re through the first half in about an hour and fifteen minutes.</p>
<p id="3tad1O">Statistically, <span>Kirk Cousins</span> is having a heck of a night for the Vikings so far. He’s completed 12-of-13 passes for 173 yards, and he’s led three scoring drives thus far. The big weapon, as you’d expect, has been <span>Dalvin Cook</span>, who has caught five of those passes for 73 yards. <span>Stefon Diggs</span> has three catches for 70 yards, but had a fumble on the Vikings’ first possession to end a potential scoring drive. <span>Olabisi Johnson</span> has a 16-yard catch, <span>Kyle Rudolph</span> has a pair of grabs for 13 yards, and <span>Laquon Treadwell</span> has one catch for one yard.</p>
<p id="rSTT1M"><span>Cook</span> has done alright on the ground as well, picking up 35 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. <span>Alexander Mattison</span> has 15 yards on four carries, and Cousins has a two-yard scramble.</p>
<p id="pZavsn">We’re at halftime, and though it hasn’t gone quite the way many of us had expected, the Vikings still lead the Redskins by a score of 13-6. Come on in and join us for the second half of play!</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/24/20929899/washington-redskins-minnesota-vikings-second-quarter-recap-third-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2019-10-24T19:51:22-05:002019-10-24T19:51:22-05:00Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings: First quarter recap and second quarter discussion
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XqZxPLwjt02l4e2GPlNu6nTpvHw=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65550104/usa_today_13562702.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s just a three-point lead for the good guys</p> <p id="WTMKVN">We’re through one quarter of play at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> lead the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> by a score of 3-0.</p>
<p id="oLViLK">The Vikings appeared to be in business on their first drive after a big pass from <span>Kirk Cousins</span> to <span>Stefon Diggs</span>, who took the ball all the way to the Washington 25. Unfortunately, as he’s done on a few occasions this season, he was stripped of the ball and the Redskins recovered the fumble to stop the Minnesota drive.</p>
<p id="NJYZNg">Washington returned the favor on the next drive. After converting a third-and-long into Minnesota territory, <span>Case Keenum</span> was stripped by <span>Danielle Hunter</span>, with <span>Shamar Stephen</span> recovering at the Washington 46-yard line to get the Vikings the ball back.</p>
<div id="ADWi4y">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DHunt94_TX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DHunt94_TX</a> with the strip-sack! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Skol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Skol</a><br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WASvsMIN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WASvsMIN</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLNetwork</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/PrimeVideo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrimeVideo</a><br>How to watch: <a href="https://t.co/I6INVckndX">https://t.co/I6INVckndX</a> <a href="https://t.co/wS5b4jjBUO">pic.twitter.com/wS5b4jjBUO</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1187528095630147591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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</div>
<p id="NUculL">Minnesota turned that drive into the first points of the game, as <span>Dan Bailey</span> came in and connected on a 50-yard field goal to give the home team a 3-0 lead with about five minutes left in the quarter.</p>
<p id="6IbiIj">Those wound up being the only points of the first quarter, but the Redskins have put together an impressive drive to follow it up. As we move to the second quarter, Washington has the ball at the Minnesota 21-yard line, looking at a 3rd-and-4.</p>
<p id="j8MOIx">The Vikings lead the Redskins, 3-0, after one quarter of play at U.S. Bank Stadium, but the visitors are threatening. Come join us for the second quarter of play!</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/24/20929895/washington-redskins-minnesota-vikings-first-quarter-recap-second-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2019-10-24T18:20:00-05:002019-10-24T18:20:00-05:00Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings: Key information and first quarter discussion
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: OCT 20 Vikings at Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S21iPByhWOoNqTP2sSdVT8J7Dkc=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65549698/1177438907.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hello, my friend, we meet again</p> <p id="xCICiu">Hey, it sort of seems like we were just here, doesn’t it? It <em>has</em> only been a few days since the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> last took the field, but tonight they play their lone Thursday night contest of the season, as they return to U.S. Bank Stadium to host the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>. The Vikings will be <em>sans</em> wide receiver <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838552/adam-thielen-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Adam Thielen</a> tonight, but hopefully that won’t stop them from notching their fourth consecutive victory.</p>
<p id="6d7ATR">Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.</p>
<p id="5QGvs5"><strong>Date and Time</strong>: Thursday, 24 October, 2019, 7:20 PM Central time</p>
<p id="KQjv8v"><strong>Location</strong>: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota</p>
<p id="RM2iro"><strong>Television coverage</strong>: KSTP-9 in the Twin Cities and literally every FOX affiliate in America</p>
<p id="WwvxMH"><strong>Radio Coverage</strong>: <a href="https://www.vikings.com/audio/radio-network"><strong>Vikings Radio Network</strong></a>, Sirius Channel 83, XM Channel 226, SiriusXM App Channel 819</p>
<p id="po4fnd"><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/nfl/2019/10/22/20927174/washington-vikings-news-fantasy-football-start-sit-advice-injury-odds-week-8-tnf-final-score"><strong>Line</strong></a>: Minnesota -14.5, Over/Under 42</p>
<p id="qKXkPw"><strong>Chris’ Prediction</strong>: Vikings 38, Redskins 17</p>
<p id="boLJ3b"><strong>Three Keys</strong></p>
<p id="6b5Hrn"><strong>1) Don’t get cocky</strong> - You see that big number after the minus sign in the “Line” portion up there? That means the Vikings are a huge favorite. Do you remember what happened the last time the Vikings were favored at home by that many points against a seemingly weaker opponent? Yeah, the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> came to town and mopped the floor with the Vikings. I don’t think Mike Zimmer is going to allow that to happen again, but it’s something that this team needs to be aware of. They’re not going to win by just showing up and tossing their helmets out onto the field this evening.</p>
<p id="daMF72"><strong>2) Keep spreading it around</strong> - With <span>Thielen</span> out, the Redskins are likely going to focus a lot of attention on Stefon Diggs. That means that <span>Kirk Cousins</span> is going to have to spread the ball around, whether it’s to <span>Olabisi Johnson</span> or <span>Kyle Rudolph</span> or <span>Irv Smith Jr.</span> or <span>Laquon Treadwell</span>. . .seriously. Cousins showed against Detroit that he can function when one of his big two receivers is on the sideline. He needs to find those other guys when Diggs isn’t available.</p>
<p id="a3mBST"><strong>3) Get right on defense</strong> - The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> ripped the Vikings pretty good on Sunday, with <span>Matthew Stafford</span> throwing for over 350 yards and Marvin Jones catching <em>four</em> touchdown passes. This Washington offense isn’t as good as Detroit’s, and they’ve struggled to score points at all this season. The Vikings need to get out to an early lead and then do what they can to make sure that <span>Case Keenum</span>’s “revenge game” doesn’t go nearly as well as <span>Kirk Cousins</span>’ does.</p>
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<p id="3Q0XFk">We’ll have the new Open Thread up at the start of each quarter for you, so keep your eyes open for that. In the meantime, enjoy tonight’s game and let’s meet up afterwards for a victory celebration, shall we?</p>
<p id="cMKg1t">SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/24/20929874/washington-redskins-minnesota-vikings-key-information-first-quarter-discussionChristopher Gates2019-10-24T18:01:22-05:002019-10-24T18:01:22-05:00Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings: Inactive lists for both teams
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/n7aZR0r_53_HXl_mESKsZacRlnw=/0x0:5741x3827/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65549596/usa_today_13545482.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who will be sitting this one out?</p> <p id="Dvwfha">We are ninety minutes away from kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium between the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> and your <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. That means that both teams have released their inactive lists for tonight’s contest, so let’s see who will be sitting this one out.</p>
<p id="cDDjZH">We start, as is our wont, with the visiting team.</p>
<h4 id="RNgZtV">Washington Redskins</h4>
<ul>
<li id="VbNwKc">QB <span>Colt McCoy</span>
</li>
<li id="Nl5iPI">S <span>Deshazor Everett</span>
</li>
<li id="90mrjK">RB <span>Chris Thompson</span>
</li>
<li id="gcAxWM">S <span>Montae Nicholson</span>
</li>
<li id="aUNxTZ">LB <span>Josh Harvey-Clemons</span>
</li>
<li id="c9zr2w">G <span>Wes Martin</span>
</li>
<li id="CUKo13">TE <span>Vernon Davis</span>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="rPllpe">The big name here is TE Vernon Davis. He’s been out since the preseason, but he’s one of the few playmakers the Redskins have on offense. Big names NOT on the list are RB <span>Adrian Peterson</span>, who suffered a high ankle sprain against San Francisco last week, and CB <span>Josh Norman</span>, who didn’t play last week. So, it looks like Peterson will face his former team for the second time since he left Minnesota after the 2016 season, although Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network mentioned that Peterson might be limited.</p>
<p id="CLqABO">And now, on to the home team.</p>
<h4 id="yYgm3s">Minnesota Vikings</h4>
<ul>
<li id="fjF0lS"><span>Hercules Mata’afa</span></li>
<li id="OwBMHt">WR <a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838552/adam-thielen-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Adam Thielen</a>
</li>
<li id="0S7NDv">LB <span>Cameron Smith</span>
</li>
<li id="WDWCSj">G <span>Brett Jones</span>
</li>
<li id="XN0Q4V">G <span>Dru Samia</span>
</li>
<li id="PmCxr9">T Oli Udoh</li>
<li id="pyqBA8">DT <span>Armon Watts</span>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="Coz6Is">No surprise that <span>Thielen</span> is inactive, but that’s the big name for the Vikes. That means <span>Davion Davis</span> is going to make his NFL debut, and WR Bisi Johnson will make his first start in place of <span>Thielen</span>.</p>
<p id="rhjgHW">Those are your inactive lists for this evening’s game, folks. We’ll have the Open Thread for the first quarter up and running at approximately 6:20 Central time.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/24/20929907/washington-redskins-minnesota-vikings-inactive-listsChristopher GatesTed Glover2019-10-23T18:45:54-05:002019-10-23T18:45:54-05:00Minnesota Vikings final injury report: Adam Thielen declared OUT
<figure>
<img alt="Philadelphia Eagles vMinnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QdBu6vcjgIndIYRx8fImWifGSis=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65541447/1175594563.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As we expected</p> <p id="nMLslW">On Wednesday, the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> released their final injury report leading up to their game against the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> on Thursday Night Football, and there was some bad news on it, but it wasn’t totally unexpected.</p>
<p id="QZZDrQ"><a href="https://dknation.draftkings.com/2019/8/29/20838552/adam-thielen-fantasy-football-dfs-salary-stats-2019">Adam Thielen</a>’s streak of 87 consecutive games will officially come to an end tomorrow, as he has been declared OUT for Thursday night’s game. He was optimistic that he would be able to go for this one, but getting his balky hamstring ready after a short turnaround has proven to be too big a task. Hopefully he’ll be full go for the Vikings’ game in Week 9 against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> at Arrowhead Stadium.</p>
<p id="Nk91Wl">The Vikings’ injury report is pretty short, other than that.</p>
<h4 id="l0ny0K">Out</h4>
<ul><li id="7YTChJ">WR <span>Adam Thielen</span> (hamstring)</li></ul>
<h4 id="7uoG7A">Questionable</h4>
<ul><li id="lgXduS">DT <span>Jalyn Holmes</span> (illness)</li></ul>
<p id="6msaWf">That’s it. That’s everybody. <span>Holmes</span> had not been listed on the injury report prior to today with whatever illness he’s contracted. Everybody else that had been listed on the report over the course of the past couple of days was not given any designation and everyone on the roster outside of Holmes and <span>Thielen</span> practiced in full on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="oJFIl6">The list for the visitors, on the other hand? Well. . .it’s quite a bit longer.</p>
<h4 id="vSW1V8">Out</h4>
<ul>
<li id="vGeRQ6">TE <span>Vernon Davis</span> (concussion)</li>
<li id="qWCDVl">S <span>Deshazor Everett</span> (ankle)</li>
<li id="ZZlLJW">LB <span>Josh Harvey-Clemons</span> (hamstring)</li>
<li id="574ooW">G <span>Wes Martin</span> (chest)</li>
<li id="JLdmGP">RB <span>Chris Thompson</span> (toe)</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="xzdKxW">Questionable</h4>
<ul>
<li id="5ketDm">S <span>Montae Nicholson</span> (ankle)</li>
<li id="movBY8">CB <span>Josh Norman</span> (thigh/hand)</li>
<li id="I5y5DX">RB <span>Adrian Peterson</span> (ankle)</li>
<li id="P2BkR1">WR <span>Steven Sims Jr.</span> (great toe. . .not “big toe,” they actually have it listed as “great toe”)</li>
</ul>
<p id="zgvBoP">I know that Peterson is listed on the report for the Redskins, and he apparently has both a “low” and a “high” ankle sprain. . .but I’m guessing he’ll be out there. Still, Washington has already declared five players out for Thursday, and they’re still without offensive tackle <span>Trent Williams</span>, who has loudly declared that he’ll never play for the Redskins again.</p>
<p id="C8NhD6">There are your injury reports for Thursday night’s game, ladies and gentlemen. We’ve still got plenty more for you as we get closer to kickoff, so be sure to keep your browser pointed right here. Just, you know, hit that F5 key every so often.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/10/23/20929619/minnesota-vikings-final-injury-report-adam-thielen-outChristopher Gates