Vikings defeat Redskins, 19-9, on ‘Thursday Night Football’
Third Quarter
Dwayne Haskins throws an interception: For the second time in the game, the Redskins’ offense turned the ball over after the defense made a key play. On second-and-6 from the Minnesota 30, Haskins threw too high for Terry McLaurin on a crossing route over the middle. The ball deflected off McLaurin’s fingers and into the hands of former Virginia star Ant Harris. (Vikings 16, Redskins 9, 1:59 Third Quarter)
Washington makes a fourth-down stop: Minnesota Coach Mike Zimmer left his offense on the field on fourth-and-1 from the Vikings’ 34-yard line late in the third quarter. The gamble didn’t pay off, as Kirk Cousins was stuffed for no gain on a quarterback sneak, with Daron Payne leading the charge for the Redskins defense. (Vikings 16, Redskins 9, 2:41 Third Quarter)
Redskins get three back: Dustin Hopkins drilled a 43-yard field goal, his third of the night, to pull the Redskins within seven. Hopkins’s kick capped a 50-yard drive that was all Adrian Peterson. The former Vikings running back had a 21-yard catch and a 29-yard run that moved him past LaDainian Tomlinson and Jerome Bettis and into sixth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. (Vikings 16, Redskins 9, 5:11 Third Quarter)
Vikings extend lead: After Dwayne Haskins and the Redskins went three-and-out on their opening possession of the second half, the Vikings mounted a 10-play, 82-yard drive that was capped by a short Dan Bailey field goal. The key play on the march was Kirk Cousins’s 39-yard pass to Stefon Diggs, who beat Josh Norman, on third-and-9 from the Minnesota 10. Redskins safety Jeremy Reaves was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play for leading with his helmet as he tackled Diggs after the catch. (Vikings 16, Redskins 6, 8:36 Third Quarter)
Dwayne Haskins in at quarterback for Washington: At the start of the third quarter, FOX reported that Redskins quarterback Case Keenum was being evaluated for a concussion and was questionable to return. Rookie first-round pick Dwayne Haskins took the field on Washington’s first possession of the third quarter. (Vikings 13, Redskins 6, Start of Third Quarter)
Halftime: Vikings 13, Redskins 6
Kirk Cousins was 12 for 13 for 173 yards for the Vikings. Case Keenum was 12 for 16 for 130 yards for the Redskins. Both teams struggled in the red zone and traded field goals before Minnesota’s touchdown drive late in the second quarter.
Second Quarter
Vikings score game’s first touchdown just before halftime: Facing third-and-goal from the Washington 4 out of a timeout with 11 seconds remaining in the first half, Minnesota handed the ball to Dalvin Cook, who barreled up the middle for his ninth rushing touchdown of the season. Cook had three catches for 51 yards on the seven-play, 75 yard drive. (Vikings 13, Redskins 6, 0:07 Second Quarter)
Redskins tie the game on short field goal: Washington’s best drive of the game ended with a 30-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins. Case Keenum completed passes to four different receivers on the 11-play, 63-yard march, including one to backup tight end Hale Hentges that gave the Redskins a first-and-goal at the Minnesota 10. Keenum was sacked on second-and-goal from the Minnesota 5 before his attempted screen pass to Wendell Smallwood was broken up by linebacker Eric Kendricks. (Redskins 6, Vikings 6, 1:57 Second Quarter)
Defense forces Vikings to settle for another field goal: Minnesota mounted an impressive drive on its third possession, marching to the Washington 10-yard line on eight plays, including a 34-yard catch-and-run by Stefon Diggs. Matt Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen sacked Kirk Cousins on two of the next three plays before Dan Bailey’s 29-yard field goal gave the Vikings a three-point lead. Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar injured his hamstring during the drive and was listed as questionable to return. (Vikings 6, Redskins 3, 7:26 Second Quarter)
Redskins tie the game with a short field goal: A pass interference penalty in the end zone on Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes gave Washington a first and goal at the Minnesota 2-yard line. Case Keenum threw incomplete on first down before Adrian Peterson lost a yard. On third down, Keenum dropped back to pass and appeared to have room to tuck the ball and run, but instead threw incomplete to Trey Quinn. The Redskins ultimately settled for a 21-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins. (Redskins 3, Vikings 3, 14:00 Second Quarter)
First Quarter
Case Keenum off to a hot start: He lost a fumble earlier in the quarter, but the Redskins quarterback completed his first seven passes for 74 yards. Paul Richardson Jr. had three catches for 34 yards in the first quarter, while rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin had two catches for 23 yards. Washington was approaching Minnesota’s red zone as the quarter ended. (Vikings 3, Redskins 0, End of First Quarter)
Vikings take a 3-0 lead: After an eight-play drive that included a fourth-down conversion by Dalvin Cook, Washington’s defense forced Minnesota to settle for a field goal. Dan Bailey tied a season-long with a 50-yarder to give the Vikings the early lead. (Vikings 3, Redskins 0, 5:20 First Quarter)
Washington gives the ball right back with a fumble: One play after Case Keenum scrambled and found Wendell Smallwood along the sideline for a first down, the Redskins’ quarterback had the ball stripped by Danielle Hunter. Shamar Stephen recovered for the Vikings at the Washington 46-yard line. (Redskins 0, Vikings 0, 8:57 First Quarter)
Redskins force a turnover: The Redskins won the toss and elected to defer, giving the Vikings the ball first. On first down from the Minnesota 38, Kirk Cousins completed a pass over the middle to a wide open Stefon Diggs. As he ran after the catch, the wide receiver and former Maryland star had the ball stripped by rookie linebacker Cole Holcomb. It was recovered at the Washington 25-yard line by Redskins linebacker Ryan Anderson. For Diggs, it was his fourth fumble and third fumble lost this season. (Redskins 0, Vikings 0, 12:24 First Quarter)
HUSTLE #WASvsMIN
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Pregame updates
As expected, Redskins running back Adrian Peterson, who suffered an ankle injury against the 49ers on Sunday, is active against this former team. In the secondary, Washington will be without safety Montae Nicholson, but cornerback Josh Norman returns after missing last week’s game.
#Redskins Inactives
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Washington Redskins (1-6) at Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m., U.S. Bank Stadium
TV: Fox, NFL Network
Radio: 630, 980 AM; 92.7, 94.3, 105.9 FM
Line: Vikings by 16
The last time Kirk Cousins and Case Keenum squared off, Keenum led the Vikings to a 38-30 win over Cousins’s Redskins in Week 10 of the 2017 season at FedEx Field. The quarterbacks have traded places since then, with Cousins signing a three-year, $84 million deal with Minnesota before last season and Keenum coming to Washington in March via a trade with the Broncos after one mediocre season in Denver.
Cousins, who led the largest comeback in Redskins history, shouted “You like that!," set a bunch of single-season franchise passing records and led Washington to one playoff appearance in three years as the full-time starter, is off to a hot start for the 5-2 Vikings. He’s thrown 13 touchdowns against three interceptions, including eight touchdowns in the last two games after former Redskins-turned-Eagles linebacker Zach Brown called him the “weakest link” of Minnesota’s offense and was cut following Philadelphia’s 38-20 loss.
The Vikings will be without wide receiver Adam Thielen, who suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday’s win over the Lions, but Minnesota’s offense still has plenty of weapons, including fellow wideout Stefon Diggs and the NFL’s leading rusher, Dalvin Cook. Keenum, who threw for only 77 yards on 12 attempts in Washington’s 9-0 loss to the 49ers last week, will be without running back Chris Thompson and tight end Vernon Davis once again.
Redskins running back Adrian Peterson is questionable with an ankle injury, but intends to play against his former team. The 34-year-old has benefited from interim Coach Bill Callahan’s commitment to the run over the last two weeks, with 199 yards on 43 carries after rushing for only 108 yards in his first four games.
Vikings Defeat Redskins, 19-9, On ‘Thursday Night Football’
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