Well, the Vikings no longer have to worry about the pressure of being the NFL’s only undefeated team.
They took care of that by turning in a clunker in Philadelphia Sunday, losing to the Eagles 21-10.
The Vikings arrived in Philly with just one turnover in their first five games. The Eagles had the league’s next fewest turnovers with two. That changed quickly, though, when the teams coughed the ball up on five straight first quarter possessions, including an interception and a fumble by Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford against his former team.
The Vikings had picked the Eagles.
So the Eagles picked the Vikings back.#MINvsPHIhttps://t.co/xIvRAEiG2o— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 23, 2016
Instead of capitalizing on the turnovers, each team kept giving the ball back. So the game remained scoreless after what Fox Sports called the ugliest quarter in the NFL this season.
The 21 points were the most the Vikings have allowed this year. The defense was not entirely responsible for that, though.
The Eagles’ Josh Huff shredded Minnesota’s special teams coverage on a 98 yard kickoff return.
Josh Huff is very VERY fast.
98 yards… GOODBYE!@Eagles Touchdown! 😳 #MINvsPHI https://t.co/RAnFuaqbfP
— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2016
Special teams play was also responsible for another Vikings turnover when Marcus Sherels fumbled away a punt in the second half.
The offense had the ball inside the Eagles 10-yard line twice but failed to earn any points on those possessions.
4th & 1. Deep in the red zone.
The @Vikings go for it…DENIED by the @Eagles! #MINvsPHI https://t.co/kTstnluDQu
— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2016
The Vikings scored the first points of the game on a Blair Walsh 48-yard field goal in the second quarter. They also had the last score, on a Bradford to Cordarelle Patterson touchdown pass after the outcome had been decided.
Bradford completed 24 out of 41 passes for 244 yards, one TD, and one interception. He also lost two fumbles.
The Vikings will try to get back on the winning track in Chicago next Monday with a prime time contest on Halloween night.
