Not exactly sweet revenge, but the Vikings earned a much-needed victory over the Eagles in a rematch of last year’s NFC title game.
Leading 20-6 to start the fourth quarter, the Vikings got a huge, 53-yard field goal from Dan Bailey with under three minutes to play in the game to secure a 23-21 win at Lincoln Financial Field.
A clutch 52-yard FG makes it a two-score game.#MINvsPHI #Skol pic.twitter.com/aEwoH3hsD6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 7, 2018
For Bailey, it was sweet revenge. He missed two field goals in the first half, one from 28 yards and another from 45. Despite two first-half misses, the Vikings took a 17-3 lead into the half thanks to two second quarter touchdowns, one on a pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen and another on a 64-yard fumble return for a touchdown by “Big Goon” Linval Joseph.
Who's going to stop him, huh? pic.twitter.com/cWIfmb9mDq
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 7, 2018
The finish wasn’t without drama, naturally. Philadelphia scored on a pass from Carson Wentz to tight end Zach Ertz with 1:09 remaining to cut the lead to 23-21. Fortunately, Thielen recovered Philadelphia’s onside kick attempt.
Minnesota’s last-place rushing offense was again inefficient, finishing with just 79 yards on an average of 3.8 yards per carry. But once again the passing attack was outstanding as Kirk Cousins lit up the Eagles for 301 yards on 30-of-37 passing.
Thielen once again led Minnesota with seven catches for 116 yards and his third touchdown of the season. Diggs added 10 receptions for 91 yards in addition to 25 rushing yards.
Thielen is the first player since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970 to have five straight 100-plus-yard receiving games to start a season, and he’s already up to 47 catches for 589 yards this season. Diggs has 37 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Chicago (3-1) is on bye this week and is ahead of the Vikings (2-2-1) and Packers (2-2-1) fo the NFC North lead. The Lions (2-3) beat Green Bay to remain within striking distance.
Up next: Vikings host the Arizona Cardinals at 12 p.m. next Sunday.
