Vikings lead Falcons 14-10 at halftime
The Minnesota Vikings are forcing their old quarterback Kirk Cousins to beat them on Sunday and have the upper hand after 30 minutes against the Atlanta Falcons.
Thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Sam Darnold, the Vikings lead Cousins and his new squad 14-10 at halftime.
Both defenses are getting after the quarterbacks and forcing them to make plays. Darnold has made just enough so far while Cousins hasn't yet.
Atlanta started strong, marching 70 yards over 11 plays on their first possession to take a quick 7-0 lead. However, that was largely thanks to their running game.
After that, the Falcons went turnover on downs, interception and punt as the Vikings sent consistent pressure at Cousins and forced him to make correct reads and good throws.
Darnold has been under even more pressure than Cousins and took three sacks and six hits in the first half. However, Minnesota's quarterback did just enough in the first half.
First, he went deep to Jordan Addison, underthrowing his second-year receiver because of some pressure. However, Addison did a good job of tracking the ball, hauling it in and then was able to walk into the end zone for a 49-yard touchdown.
Then, just before halftime, Minnesota's drive stalled but a defensive holding call on Will Reichard's field goal gave the Vikings another chance, which Darnold used to hit Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard touchdown — Jefferson's first touchdown since Oct. 20 against Detroit.
But Cousins and the Falcons responded right before halftime, with a 49-yard pass to Darnell Mooney setting up a 20-yard Atlanta field goal thanks to a good stop by Minnesota's defense.
Darnold went 6-of-10 for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half. Cousins was 12-of-19 for 183 yards but with just an interception.
Aaron Jones racked up 37 yards but had just five carries while Atlanta’s running game has been very good, totaling 80 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries (4.2 per rush). The Vikings have to do better against that rushing attack in the second half — they'd allowed only 81.3 rushing yards per game coming into this game and are 2-2 this season when teams rush for over 100 yards against them this year.
Minnesota will get the ball to start the second half.
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) dives for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
What's Trending
