On his 24th birthday, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander had an impressive performance during the team’s Week 10 win over the Washington Redskins.
2016 was a bit frustrating for Mackensie Alexander as a rookie. The Minnesota Vikings cornerback did not see the field much on defense and when he did, his performance was not anything to brag about.
This year is a different story. Alexander is still probably not involved in the defense as much as he would like to be, but the young corner is starting to prove why the Vikings used a second-round pick on him in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, the Minnesota corner stepped up and made some big-time plays that helped his team earn their seventh win this season.
Following a touchdown drive in the second quarter that put the Vikings up 21-17, the Redskins’ offense took the field with under two minutes remaining in the first half. On Washington’s very first play of the drive, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins tossed a pass that sailed over the head of his intended receiver and right into the hands of Alexander for an interception.
The play by the young corner gave Minnesota great field position on Washington’s 23-yard line and eventually led to another Vikings touchdown that increased their lead by 11 points heading into the half. Alexander’s interception was very vital as it took the air out of a Redskins’ offense that had put points up on the board in their two previous drives.
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In addition to his pick, the Minnesota corner also had two tackles and two pass deflections against Washington.
One of those deflections came with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter as the Redskins were attempting to make a comeback. Cousins took a shot at the end zone with a throw to Washington receiver Josh Doctson, but Alexander made a great play to get his hand in front of Doctson and knock the pass down to the ground.
This and his interception are the types of plays the Vikings have been hoping to see out of the cornerback since they drafted him. Will performances like Sunday’s begin to become something of the norm for Alexander from now on?
Next: Vikings' ups and downs from Week 10 win
Minnesota certainly would not mind.