The New Orleans Saints were hoping to avoid falling to 0-3 at home when the Minnesota Vikings visited the Crescent City on Sunday. Here’s a recap of all the action.
First Quarter
Minnesota received the opening kickoff, and Kyler Murray got the Vikings offense off to a quick start. He converted all 5 of his throws on the opening drive, including a throw to Tai Felton for 23 yards.
But a sack by Carl Granderson and an illegal formation penalty meant the visitors had to settle for a field goal. Will Reichard converted
from 40 yards to establish a 3-0 lead.
The Saints then went three-and-out, and the Vikings offense returned and continued to move the football. Murray converted a 3rd down near midfield with a 19-yard pass to Justin Jefferson.
Aaron Jones proceeded to find some yards on the ground before he fumbled on a 3rd-and-short in the red zone. Chase Young recovered the ball for the black and gold.
Shough found Chris Olave for 14 yards as the Saints offense found its first first down of the game.
Second Quarter
CJ Donaldson and Alvin Kamara split carries as the hosts drove down the field, and Shough converted a pair of fourth downs with short throws to Olave and Devaughn Vele.
It was then Kendre Miller getting inside the red zone with a number of runs, before also running in a 2-yard touchdown for a 7-3 Saints lead.
Both teams proceeded to go three-and-out twice, and the Vikings got the ball back with just under two minutes to go.
Three completions for 41 yards by Murray helped Minnesota into field goal range before halftime, and Reichard converted again from 54 yards.
Third Quarter
Leading 7-6, the Saints received the second-half kickoff. But Jayden Price fumbled the ball on the return, and Minnesota took over with a short field.
Murray took advantage, taking off for an 18-yard scramble shortly before throwing a 15-yard touchdown to Justin Jefferson to give the visitors a 13-7 lead.
Shough returned and got the ensuing Saints drive off to a promising start, but he was then picked off at midfield by Byron Murphy.
Minnesota looked poised to score with another short field position as Murray ran into the red zone with a 14-yard scramble.
However, Myles Price fumbled after a catch, and Jonas Sanker returned it 87 yards to the house for the black and gold.
Daniel Carlson missed the extra point wide left, so the score remained 13-13.
The Vikings responded effectively, though. The opening plays of the ensuing series were a 32-yard connection from Murray to Jeshaun Jones and an 18-yard run from Aaron Jones.
Fourth Quarter
After more gains on the ground from Murray and Jones, the latter ran in an 8-yard touchdown to restore the Vikings’ lead at 20-13.
New Orleans then went three-and-out at a bad time, and the visitors proceeded to find more success running the football as time ran off the clock.
Colby Wooden did force the ball out from Jefferson after a catch, but Murray fell on it for the Vikings. Nonetheless, it helped hold Minnesota to a field goal attempt, which Reichard nailed again from 55 yards.
Trailing 23-13, the Saints turned it over on downs near midfield.
Minnesota then went three-and-out, but it wouldn’t matter.
Shough was sacked on the opening play of the ensuing drive and threw another interception into the hands of Murphy two plays later.
After Jones ran for their only required first down, Murray was able to kneel out the rest of the clock to secure the 23-13 Vikings victory.
The Saints now hit the road for a Week 6 trip to New York to face the Giants on Sunday.
