Vikings Trail Saints 13-6 at Halftime

The Saints took their opening possession 80 yards down the field capping it off with a 1 yard Pierre Thomas touchdown run. The Vikings went 3 and out on their first possession after Kyle Rudolph dropped a wide open pass in the flat that would have went for the first down.

The Saints wasted no time in taking their second drive 80 yards for the touchdown just like they did on the first drive. The Vikings Defense looked absolutely dreadful and was helpless to stop the Saints Tight Ends as Jimmy Graham converted a 3rd down and 10 catch and Hill walked into the endzone after a busted coverage. The extra point was blocked by Everson Griffen but the Saints still held a 13-0 lead.

The Vikings 2nd drive was vastly improved from their first, and they moved the ball down the field off of multiple Kyle Rudolph catches and an explosive 30 yard screen pass to Cordarrelle Patterson. Matt Asiata picked up an important 3rd down from the Saints 20 but then the Vikings drive stalled at the 8 yard line. Blair Walsh converted the 30 yard FG to get the Vikings on the board.

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Starting Quarterback Matt Cassel was injured on the final play of the possession and was carted off the field, Cassel is Questionable to return for the 2nd half. The Vikings defense forced their first 3 and out and rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater entered the game with 12 minutes remaining in the 2nd half.

Bridgewater took no time in making an impact in the game converting a 3rd and 7 to Matt Asiata out in the flat for 41 yards down to the Saints 19 yard line. Bridgewater showed the athleticism that Matt Cassel doesn’t have converting a 3rd and 5 on a designed Quarterback run down inside the Saints 10 yard line. The Vikings drive stalled however after two negative plays and a 8 yard run by Matt Asiata. Blair Walsh made his 2nd field goal of the day and cut the New Orleans lead to 7.

The Vikings defense seemed to find it’s groove stopping the Saints on 3rd and 1 forcing a punt. Bridgewater continued to utilize his legs running for 14 yards on the first play from scrimmage on the drive. The drive stalled however on the second set of downs after two straight incompletions.

In the 2 minute drill the Saints initially looked confident but were shut down at their own 45 yard line behind two pass breakups by Harrison Smith. The Vikings elected to run the clock out inside their own 5 and scheduled to receive the 2nd half kickoff.