Third Quarter
Just as he tried to deliver his first pass attempt of the second half, Cousins was put on his bottom by the Lion defense. On the next play though, Cousins found Thielen for a gain of 13. Dalvin Cook went on to rumble for another 15-yards on the ground.
After their hiccups on offense to begin the game, the Vikings easily moved the ball in this drive after they a received a massive boost to their spirits to close out the first half. From the red zone, Detroit held Minnesota out of the end zone on 3rd & 9 to force a 24-yard field goal, 17-9 Minnesota.
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After giving up 17 consecutive points, the Lions looked to try and make up some of that ground on offense but with very conservative play calling, their efforts fell flat after a three-and-out.
Dalvin Cook gained a nice chunk of yards to begin the new possession by Minnesota. In an aggressive play, Cousins went deep once again but he overthrew his receiver during the sequence. After Adam Thielen came up just short of making the first down, the Vikings punted it away after their fifth three-and-out of the game.
From their own 13-yard line a Kenny Golladay penalty wiped out an impressive first down run by Zenner. Unable to dig themselves out of that hole, on 3rd & 11, Stafford took his first sack of the game and the Lions conceded possession of the ball after a 52-yard punt.
Detroit cornerback Quandre Diggs came up with the stop after Kyle Rudolph picked up 11-yards on the easy pitch and catch from his quarterback. On a third down play, Dalvin Cook bullied his way through Detroit’s defense to move the chains.
The Vikings got 5 plays deep into their new drive before the third quarter came to an end.