Vikings Fall in All-Too-Familiar Fashion to Baltimore
Josh Frey
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The Vikings went into Baltimore facing a big test against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and ultimately lost another overtime contest, 34-31, courtesy of another clutch Justin Tucker field goal. The day got off to a difficult start when just moments prior to the inactive lists being announced, Harrison Smith was ruled out due to COVID.
Once again, Minnesota’s offense got off to a blistering start, rattling off a pair of touchdowns early in the game as a result of a 50-yard catch by Justin Jefferson and a 66-yard Dalvin Cook run to set up another. The Vikings took a 14-3 lead into the second quarter, and despite missing all of Michael Pierce, Smith, and Garrett Bradbury, they seemed to hold all the momentum.
After that point, the Vikings offense again inexplicably slowed to a halt. They punted on four of their next five drives with their only points coming off big plays by a pair of rookies: Cam Bynum’s interception setting up the Vikings in Ravens territory and Kene Nwangwu’s kick return TD to open the second half.
Meanwhile, after Lamar Jackson’s interception to Bynum in the second quarter, and a stand by Baltimore’s defense holding the Vikings to a field goal, the Ravens put together three consecutive touchdown drives, evening the score up at 24 with around nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings again moved backwards on their following drive, giving the Ravens the ball with a chance to take the lead. Baltimore then put together one of their nine drives of 8+ plays and capped it off with a Leveon Bell touchdown run.
Now trailing 31-24, Minnesota had one more chance to score. They would manage to do just that as unlikely hero FB C.J. Ham moved the sticks with a 27-yard reception on 3rd & 2. Dalvin Cook put immediately got the ball in the red zone, running for 24 of his 110 yards. A few plays later, Cousins connected with, who else, Adam Thielen for a score, and the Vikings tied the game at 31. Baltimore would be unable to score on their next drive, and the game would go to OT.
In OT, Anthony Barr made another huge defensive play by tipping a Lamar Jackson pass at the line of scrimmage and coming down with the INT. Starting at their own 38, the Vikings offense that had just come up with a huge drive to send the game to OT could not do anything, going three and out and immediately giving the ball back to Baltimore.
This time, the Ravens would not let their chance go to waste. They methodically moved the ball down the field, and Justin Tucker sent the Vikings home losers again with his 36-yard field goal. The Vikings fall to 3-5 on the season while the Ravens improve their AFC North-leading record to 6-2. Minnesota stays on the road in week 10, traveling to LA to face the Chargers, and Baltimore heads to Miami to take on the Dolphins.