Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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2. Yet another safety
Over the course of an NFL season, you're bound to see a safety here and there.
The Vikings have now seen two safeties in back-to-back weeks, and have been on the wrong end of each one.
Kirk Cousins was sacked in the end zone yet again Sunday, as the play gave the Colts a 9-3 lead with less than five minutes left in the second quarter.
Cousins appeared to maneuver his way out of the end zone, but officials ruled the play day and awarded the safety to Indianapolis.
Cousins was also sacked for a second-quarter safety against Green Bay in Week 1.
Going back to Week 17 of 2019, the Vikings have allowed a safety in three consecutive regular-season games.
3. Costly offensive penalties
Vikings tight end Irv Smith, Jr., was on the wrong end of a pair of penalties that hampered the Vikings offense against the Colts.
Down 7-3 early in the second quarter, the Vikings faced a third-and-9 at their own 21-yard line.
Kirk Cousins hit Smith for 10 yards and a first down, but the tight end was called for offensive pass interference that negated the play. The Vikings ran the ball on third-and-19 and then punted.
In the third quarter, the Vikings trailed 18-3 and were in need of a spark. Minnesota had moved the ball to the Colts 40 and was looking to get into scoring range.
But Smith was called for an illegal crackback block — a 15-yard penalty — that forced the Vikings into a first-and-25 situation from their own 45. And after a short Dalvin Cook run and a sack on Cousins, it was third-and-27 from the Vikings 43.
The Vikings then punted, but were called for illegal touching on the play, forcing Britton Colquitt to punt again when it was now fourth-and-32 at their own 38.
All in all, instead of looking to get into scoring range, the Vikings ended up punting from their own territory.