Vikings dominate the Raiders at home in a must-win game

Aaron Young
Staff Writer

Coming into Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings were looking to brush off their loss against archrivals, the Green Bay Packers. They accomplished their mission as the purple and gold breezed through the Oakland Raiders, winning 34-14.

Minnesota controlled the pace early on as Kirk Cousins found Adam Thielen for a 35-yard touchdown only 3:29 into the game for the only score in the first quarter. 

Dalvin Cook followed up with a one-yard touchdown of his own on the first play of the second quarter, putting the Vikings up 14-0.

On Oakland’s next ensuing drive, Harrison Smith intercepted Derek Carr to set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Thielen, the first of his career. 

Oakland responded with a 29-yard passing touchdown from Carr to WR J.J Nelson on a good old-fashioned flea flicker, putting the score at 21-7 going into halftime. 

Coming out of the half, it was backup RB Alexander Mattison who took it to the house on a 10-yard touchdown. 

What followed was a pair of field goals by Dan Bailey, kicking a 50 and 21-yard field goal. 

Oakland put its faith in former Minnesota kicker Daniel Carlson, who would end up missing his 51-yard field goal attempt.

With 1:23 left in the game, the Raiders would find the end zone for the second time, with Carr connecting to Tyrell Williams. 

Cook rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown, which makes three straight 100-yard games for Cook. He leads the league in both rushing yards and is one touchdown away from tying Mark Ingram’s league leading five. 

Thielen had 3 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown and Kirk Cousins finished with 175 yards and a touchdown. 

As for the Raiders, Derek Carr was impressive with 242 yards and two touchdowns, going 27-for-34. 

Despite not having a touchdown, Oakland tight end Darren Waller finished the day with 13 receptions and 134 yards, both career highs. 

Minnesota finds themselves facing divisional rival Chicago Bears in a highly anticipated matchup next week. They look to mend its scars of their last two meetings between the Bears and eventually take first place in the NFC north.

Header photo: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) is upended by Oakland Raiders free safety Karl Joseph (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)