Cousins Has Off Day, Vikings Fall Short in Final Minutes

The Minnesota Vikings fought hard but came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon.

The game was a close, low-scoring battle between two strong defenses. Kansas City got on the board first to take a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter. Minnesota answered with a touchdown of their own to tie things up 7-7. Each team added a field goal to their total in the second quarter, keeping the score tied 10-10 at the half.

The Vikings hit the ground running in the second half with a fumble recovery on the opening kickoff. That translated to another touchdown drive for Minnesota. Kicker Dan Bailey missed the extra-point attempt, leaving the lead at 16-10. The Chiefs broke open Minnesota’s defense for a 91-yard touchdown run. Before the third quarter was over, Kansas City added a field goal to push out their lead to 20-16.

On their next drive to open the fourth quarter, the Vikings found the endzone again and retook the lead 23-20. The game came down to the wire with the Chiefs kicking in two field goals in the last two minutes and 30 seconds to steal the game away 26-23.

Ifeadi Odenigbo, Everson Griffen, Harrison Smith, and Stephen Weatherly each earned a sack. Danielle Hunter and Jaleel Johnson each earned a half-sack.

Kirk Cousins completed 18 of 36 for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Olabisi Johnson had one catch for four yards and a touchdown. Ameer Abdullah had one catch and one carry for 18 yards and a touchdown. Kyle Rudolph also found himself on the receiving end of a touchdown pass.

League-leading running back Dalvin Cook had a quiet day, finishing with 21 carries for 76 yards.

The Vikings fall to 6-3 and will travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys on Sunday night. Pre-game starts at 6:00 p.m. on AM 1240 and 95.3 FM WJON.