The Vikings improved to 3-2 on the season with a 16-10 victory over Kansas City Sunday afternoon at TCF Bank Stadium, but they didn’t exactly overpower the winless Chiefs, who stayed close enough throughout the game to make it interesting.
Mike Zimmer joked that he needed to get his pacemaker readjusted after this narrow win. #Vikings
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) October 18, 2015
The Vikings struggled in the red zone, scoring just one touchdown along with three field goals. Running back Adrian Peterson rushed for just 60 yards on 26 carries, according to 1500ESPN.com.
Zimmer, "we didn't block good enough for Peterson, trust me we are going to work on that"
— Mark Rosen (@KFANRosen) October 18, 2015
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw one touchdown pass, a 4-yarder to tight end Kyle Rudolph, but he was picked off twice. One of them was on another pass attempt to Rudolph in the end zone. The second interception, in the fourth quarter, set up a Kansas City touchdown that briefly cut the Vikings’ lead to just three points, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Mike Zimmer said it was a mixed bag for Teddy today. Said the two picks and the late miss on 3rd and 2 were bad but that he made some plays.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) October 18, 2015
One bright spot was the performance of rookie receiver Stefon Diggs, who played in place of the injured Charles Johnson. Diggs had seven catches for 129 yards, and became the first Vikings’ receiver since Week 14 last season to have a 100-yard game.
Stefon Diggs: "I'm just trying to do my job, take advantage of my opportunities." #Vikings
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 18, 2015
Wide receiver Mike Wallace had a down day with just two catches on nine attempts; he also dropped two of them.
Kicker Blair Walsh connected on all three field-goal attempts – one from 24 yards and two from 45 yards – as well as one extra point. Walsh is 9 for 11 field goals on the season, according to 1500ESPN.com.
.@BlairWalsh3, who connected on 3 FGs today, has a message for #Vikings fans after the win. pic.twitter.com/YfIJTSN7Mn
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 18, 2015
The Lions (1-5) beat the Bears (2-4) 37-34 in overtime and the Packers (6-0) clipped the Chargers 27-20. Minnesota plays at Detroit and at Chicago the next two weeks.
