Sum of Vikings Inability to Capitalize Against…

The Vikings backtracked immediately, with Cousins taking an intentional grounding penalty for a loss of down and 13 yards. An incompletion on an attempt to Justin Jefferson followed (although it would have been erased because of a hold by Olisaemeka Udoh that was declined). A draw play to Alexander Mattison gained 4 before the Vikings punted with the score tied at 13.

It was Minnesota’s third consecutive possession that ended with a three-and-out.

“We’ve had too many three-and-outs. We have to correct that,” Cousins said. “Three in a row is just far too many so, that’s one area to improve in a major way going forward.”

Deep attempt falls incomplete

There’s always a handful of plays a team would like to do over in any game.

It’s likely the one that will replay in the mind of Cousins and Jefferson is an incompletion on second-and-7 at the Dallas 49-yard line. In the first quarter and up 7-0, Minnesota was looking to build on momentum from scoring its first drive.

Jefferson executed a move and the Dallas defender fell down, leaving the second-year receiver all alone. He couldn’t corral the deep toss. Minnesota followed by burning its first timeout of the first half before an incompletion to Conklin and a punt.