In easily the most boring game of the season, the Vikings lethargically crawled to a 19-9 win over the Washington Redskins on Thursday Night Football.
Minnesota, who came into the game as 16-point favorites, let Washington hang around longer than they should have.
The only highlight was Kirk Cousins winning (now 6-13) in prime time and dropping a few dimes to Stefon Diggs, as Diggs hauled in seven catches for 143 yards. He’s the first player in Vikings history with three straight games of 125+ yards.
It was a sloppy start with both offenses turning the ball over on their first possessions – the Minneapolis Miracle duo, Diggs and Case Keenum, each fumbling, followed up by each team trading field goals.
On Minnesota’s opening drive they were heading towards the red zone up until Diggs fumbled the ball creating a turnover. Diggs now leads all non-quarterbacks with four fumbles this season.
Tied 6-6 late in the first half, the Vikings found the end zone through Dalvin Cook, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive to take a 13-6 lead into halftime.
Unfortunately for Keenum, he suffered a concussion and wasn’t able to start the second half, meaning Washington’s first-round pick Dwayne Haskins took over. It didn’t go well for the former Ohio State Buckeye.
The rookie went three-and-out in his first possession, but had a chance to tie the game with 2:05 left in the third quarter after the Vikings turned the ball over on downs putting Washington in Vikings territory at the 34-yard line.
But on the first play of the series, Haskins’ pass was intercepted by safety Anthony Harris.
Minnesota kicker Dan Bailey’s third field goal of the game – from 40 yards out – gave the Vikings a two-possession lead with 10:36 to play and they never looked back.
Cousins finished the day going 23 for 26 with 285 yards but zero touchdowns. It’s just the second time in his Vikings tenure – Week 4 of this year being the other – Cousins did not throw a touchdown.
Cook was the star for Minnesota, finishing with 23 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown to go along with five receptions for 73 yards. Rookie running back Alexander Mattison added 61 yards on 13 carries.
With the win, the Vikings improve to 6-2 on the season and won’t be back in action until Nov. 3 in Kansas City.
