Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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2. Ups and downs on crucial downs
Kearse’s final stop came on third down, and capped off a successful day for the Vikings in that category. Denver converted just five of 18 attempts on third downs, including just two of 10 conversions in the second half.
The Vikings were especially stout in the fourth quarter, as Denver converted just once on seven third downs.
Trae Waynes made a key tackle for loss for minus-5 yards on third-and-1 early in the quarter, before a third-and-7 pass for Denver gained just four yards.
The Broncos did convert on third-and-13, but pressure by Danielle Hunter on third-and-6 forced an Allen incompletion. Allen was also incomplete on the ensuing third-and-6 throw, followed by a Waynes’ tackle that limited Denver to 4 yards on third-and-5.
Kearse, of course, then sealed the deal by forcing an incompletion on a pass to Fant in the end zone on the game’s final play.
But while the Vikings were good on third downs Sunday, Denver had an answer on fourth downs, where the Broncos were a perfect 4-for-4.
Denver gained a yard on a running play on fourth-and-1 early in the second quarter, and then converted three times — twice on fourth-and-6 and once on fourth-and-1 — on the game’s final possession.
Minnesota’s offense was just one of six in the first half on third downs. But the Vikings ended up converting five of 12 chances, going 4-for-6 in the second half.
The Vikings were also perfect on fourth downs, with Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook each moving the chains on the ground on fourth-and-1.