VIkings-Seahawks

Finally.

In their home-opener, the Minnesota Vikings slapped down the Seattle Seahawks, 30-17. 

Finally. 

In front of their fans for the first time in too long the Vikings got their first win of the season.

Finally.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson entered the game with a career 7-0 record against the Vikings. Some weird stuff often helped Wilson and his little Seahawks friends. Five of those seven games were in Seattle. Not only did weird stuff often favor the Seahawks. The scheduling routinely favored them as well. 

The Vikings finally got the Seahawks at home and took care of business. 

The Vikings finally gave Wilson a loss. 

Initially, it looked like the Seahawks were going to take care of the Vikings. With just over 11 minutes to play in the first half, Chris Carson ran, mostly untouched, for a 30-yard touchdown. It was too easy and it bumped the score to 17-7 Seahawks. It was a ten-point lead that looked like the start of something rotten. It all felt too familiar. The Vikings defense was putting up little resistance. Through the first 20 minutes, the only successful defensive stand was a Seahawks drive that ended with a field goal rather than a touchdown. It wasn’t pretty. 

Then it got pretty.

When Carson ran up a stadium tunnel after running through the Vikings defense and the end zone it was the last time the Seahawks scored in the game. Actually, the extra point that followed Carson’s run was the last time the Seahawks scored in the game. 

The Seahawks possessions after Carson’s run:

Missed Field Goal

End of Half

Punt 

Punt 

Downs

End of Game

Much of the Vikings defensive success after that too easy run complimented the Vikings offensive success throughout the game. The offense just kept moving the ball and scoring points. Mike Zimmer said that it was the best offensive performance in his eight years as head coach.

The Vikings possessions after Carson’s run:

Touchdown

Touchdown

Field Goal

Field Goal

Field Goal

Punt to the Seahawks 1-yard line.

The Vikings offensive success seemed to put the Seahawks on their heels. Whether through adjustments or simply getting on the same page, the Vikings defense was able to handle a pressing Seahawks offense. The defense shut out Wilson and his little friends over the final 40 minutes of the game. That 17-7 Seahawks lead became a 21-17 Vikings lead at the half. 30-17 final score. On both sides of the ball and special teams, the Vikings brought home the win in the second half. 

The Vikings out scored the Seahawks 23-0 after that Carson touchdown. 

The Vikings had eight offensive possessions in the game. The only “wasted” possession was their second possession. That’s the one that Kirk Cousins played third down with one shoe. Playing without a shoe was a bold strategy. It didn’t work. It was a sad three-and-out possession. The only other Vikings punt was on their final possession. Jordan Berry hit a beauty that bounced out at the one-yard line with 23 seconds to play. It was a fitting end. The Vikings had put the Seahawks in the corner. 

It’d be nice if a couple of those field goals were touchdowns but the Vikings offense played well from start to finish. The defense kept the Seahawks from scoring over the final 40 minutes of the game. The special teams converted all six kicks and ended the game with a tremendous punt. 

Wins are nice. 

The Vikings finally got a win. They finally got a win over the Seahawks. 

1-2. It’s on to the Cleveland Browns.