Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings: Second Quarter Recap and Third Quarter Discussion

The good guys are now winning

They’re heading into the locker rooms at halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium with your Minnesota Vikings leading the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 14-10.

The Falcons had the ball to start the quarter and got themselves over midfield, but then the Vikings’ defense pressured Kirk Cousins into a bad throw and it was intercepted by Josh Metellus to end the threat and give the Vikings the ball back at their own 35-yard line.

The Vikings couldn’t do anything with the turnover, going three-and-out and watching Ryan Wright’s punt go through the end zone for a touchback. Atlanta moved another drive to midfield but it was ended by the first sack as a Viking for linebacker Jamin Davis, who took Cousins down to end the threat.

The Vikings got things going on the next drive with a catch for Justin Jefferson and then drawing a 47-yard pass interference penalty on former Viking Mike Hughes on a pass to Jordan Addison to quickly get into the red zone. The team then dodged a bullet when a play that was originally ruled a fumble by Darnold was instead ruled an incomplete pass, negating a play that would have given the Falcons the ball near midfield.

Minnesota then got what would have been a 39-yard field goal from Will Reichard to take the lead, but the Falcons were called for holding on the field goal attempt, so Kevin O’Connell took the points off the board and put the offense back out on the field. The Vikings rewarded his decision with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Jefferson to make it a 14-7 game at the two-minute warning.

The Falcons fought back after the two-minute warning, overcoming a couple of holding penalties to get into a goal-to-go situation after a 52-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Darnell Mooney. The Vikings’ defense held firm, however, and forced the Falcons to settle for a 20-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo to make it 14-10 going into the locker room.

We’re halfway through the Kirk Cousins Return Game™ and the Vikings lead the Falcons by a score of 14-10. Come join us for the third quarter of play from U.S. Bank Stadium!