Big mistakes by the Vikings leads to a disappointing loss to the Saints

Unable to overcome a pair of costly turnovers, the Minnesota Vikings suffered their third loss of the season to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.

Up 13-10 with under two minutes left in the second quarter on Sunday night, the Minnesota Vikings were trying to increase their lead over the New Orleans Saints.

The Vikings’ offense got the ball all the way down to the Saints’ 18-yard line and it looked like Minnesota would add at least three more points to their total before the half.

However, those plans were halted when New Orleans recovered an uncharacteristic fumble from Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen and ran it 54 yards the other way. The Saints punched it into the end zone two plays later and actually ended up being the team with the lead at the end of the second quarter.

Minnesota Vikings

That play and a pick six by Saints cornerback P.J. Williams in the third quarter is what ultimately resulted in Minnesota falling to New Orleans on Sunday night by a final score of 30-20.

With the loss, the Vikings are now sitting with 4-3-1 record. After losing just once at home last season, Minnesota has already lost two of their first four home games this year.

Despite the loss, Thielen continued his impressive 2018 season as he had his eighth straight game with at least 100 receiving yards, tying the NFL’s all-time record. The Vikings receiver ended Sunday night with seven catches for 103 yards and one touchdown.

Minnesota’s defense did pretty well at preventing the Saints’ offense from being their normal explosive selves on Sunday (just 270 total yards allowed). But the Vikings’ inability to put a ton of pressure on New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (no sacks) did not do them any favors.

On the slate for Minnesota next week is an NFC North matchup inside U.S. Bank Stadium against the 3-4 Detroit Lions.