5 eye-popping statistics about Vikings WR Adam Thielen

Stat No. 5

"The Vikings are undefeated when Adam Thielen scores a first quarter touchdown."

Seven times in his career, Thielen has scored in the first quarter of a game. Seven times, the Vikings have won the contest.

Prior to 2019, this took place on three occasions. Once from Sam Bradford under center against the Houston Texans in 2016, the next time from Bradford in a match-up with the Arizona Cardinals in the same year, and then in 2018 from Kirk Cousins on the road versus the New York Jets.

And then something remarkable happened. The trend popped off like cork from a bottle of wine in 2019. In four separate games, Cousins connected with Thielen for touchdowns in the first quarter of games.

They victimized the Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions–all in 2019. Minnesota went on to win the game on every occasion.

This new wrinkle of first-quarter innovation was not given the opportunity to continue its prosperity as Thielen injured his hamstring on first-quarter touchdown grab against Detroit. He would go on to miss six games. He healed in time for a fateful date with the Saints in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in the first round of the 2019 playoffs.

All statistics from Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise stated.