Field Level Media
Oct 7, 2018
Quarterback Kirk Cousins was 30 of 37 for 301 yards and one touchdown to lead the visiting Minnesota Vikings past the Philadelphia Eagles 23-21 on Sunday.
Wide receiver Adam Thielen had 116 yards receiving and a touchdown for his fifth straight 100-yard receiving game to open the season, becoming the first receiver since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to achieve the feat.
Kicker Dan Bailey converted three field goals, though he missed two others, and the Vikings (2-2-1) snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Vikings avenged a 38-7 loss to the Eagles in last year's NFC Championship game.
Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz was 24 of 35 for 311 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles (2-3) dropped their second in a row.
Bailey missed a pair of field goals in the first half -- from 28 and 45 yards. Bailey's 28-yarder clanged off the left upright on the Vikings' first drive, and he later missed wide right with 6:53 left in the half.
Bailey did give the Vikings a 3-0 lead with a 37-yarder on their second drive.
The Eagles tied the game at 3 when Jake Elliott converted from 30 yards out with 12:24 left in the half.
The Vikings went ahead 10-3 when Stephen Weatherly stripped Wentz, and the ball bounced into the arms of nose tackle Linval Joseph, and the 329-pounder returned the fumble 64 yards for a touchdown and a 10-3 advantage with 4:12 remaining in the half.
Minnesota extended its lead to 17-3 when Cousins connected on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Thielen with 21 seconds left.
The Eagles drove deep into Vikings territory on their first drive in the third before Eric Kendricks tackled Jay Ajayi, forced a fumble and also recovered it at the 5-yard line.
Cousins opened the next drive with a 68-yard completion to Thielen, and Bailey eventually hit a 22-yard field goal for a 20-3 lead.
The Eagles closed within 20-14 with 12:05 left in the fourth after Wentz tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Wendell Smallwood. They opted to go for two-point conversion, and Smallwood dove into the end zone by the pylon to convert.
Bailey made it a two-possession game with a 52-yard field goal for a 23-14 lead with 2:47 remaining.
Wentz found Zach Ertz for a 7-yard score with 1:09 left, but Thielen recovered the ensuing onside kick after initially bobbling it, sealing the game.
--Field Level Media