Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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The Vikings failed to convert a third-and-5 and a third-and-9 on their next two possessions that bookended a 50-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo.
The Vikings had a shot at regaining momentum after Jeff Gladney forced a fumble by Brian Hill that Eric Wilson recovered and returned three yards to the Minnesota 24-yard line just before the end of the first quarter.
Minnesota followed with a 36-yard gain on a pass from Cousins to Irv Smith, Jr., on the next snap, but the drive stalled at the Atlanta 2-yard line.
A run by Alexander Mattison lost 1 and was followed by a handoff to the second-year pro for a gain of 2. That set up a third-and-goal at the 1. Cousins was pressured and hurried on a throw to Smith that the second-year tight end was unable to secure.
After unsuccessfully going for a fourth-and-1 at Seattle last week to put the game away, Head Coach Mike Zimmer again opted to go for it. An inside run by Mike Boone was stuffed for no gain.
Atlanta eventually punted on its ensuing possession but not before flipping the field, and the Falcons picked off Cousins a second time four plays later.
The Falcons needed just 40 yards for another touchdown and a 17-0 lead with 1:54 left in the first half.
Cousins' third interception of the first half — the first unwelcome trifecta in one half of football by the nine-year pro — occurred on the following drive when his hand was hit on the release. It resulted in another field goal.
Although the Vikings tried to rally against a Falcons squad that blew leads of 15 and 16 points, respectively, in losses earlier this season, Atlanta put the game away by scoring touchdowns of 40 and 35 yards on fourth-down plays in the final 18 minutes of the game.