Spokesman-Review
National Football League
Minnesota 23, Philadelphia 21
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, October 7, 2018
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Temperature: 79°
Head Official: Walt Coleman
Attendance: 69696

Quarterback Kirk Cousins was 30 of 37 for 301 yards and one touchdown to lead the visiting Minnesota Vikings past the Philadelphia Eagles 23-21 on Sunday.

Wide receiver Adam Thielen had 116 yards receiving and a touchdown for his fifth straight 100-yard receiving game to open the season, becoming the first receiver since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to achieve the feat.

Kicker Dan Bailey converted three field goals, though he missed two others, and the Vikings (2-2-1) snapped a two-game losing streak.

The Vikings avenged a 38-7 loss to the Eagles in last year's NFC Championship game.

Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz was 24 of 35 for 311 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles (2-3) dropped their second in a row.

Bailey missed a pair of field goals in the first half -- from 28 and 45 yards. Bailey's 28-yarder clanged off the left upright on the Vikings' first drive, and he later missed wide right with 6:53 left in the half.

Bailey did give the Vikings a 3-0 lead with a 37-yarder on their second drive.

The Eagles tied the game at 3 when Jake Elliott converted from 30 yards out with 12:24 left in the half.

The Vikings went ahead 10-3 when Stephen Weatherly stripped Wentz, and the ball bounced into the arms of nose tackle Linval Joseph, and the 329-pounder returned the fumble 64 yards for a touchdown and a 10-3 advantage with 4:12 remaining in the half.

Minnesota extended its lead to 17-3 when Cousins connected on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Thielen with 21 seconds left.

The Eagles drove deep into Vikings territory on their first drive in the third before Eric Kendricks tackled Jay Ajayi, forced a fumble and also recovered it at the 5-yard line.

Cousins opened the next drive with a 68-yard completion to Thielen, and Bailey eventually hit a 22-yard field goal for a 20-3 lead.

The Eagles closed within 20-14 with 12:05 left in the fourth after Wentz tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Wendell Smallwood. They opted to go for two-point conversion, and Smallwood dove into the end zone by the pylon to convert.

Bailey made it a two-possession game with a 52-yard field goal for a 23-14 lead with 2:47 remaining.

Wentz found Zach Ertz for a 7-yard score with 1:09 left, but Thielen recovered the ensuing onside kick after initially bobbling it, sealing the game.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
Rushing
Minnesota   Philadelphia
Latavius Murray Player Jay Ajayi
11 Attempts 8
42 Yards 29
3.8 Avg Yards 3.6
0 Touchdowns 0
12 Long 9
Receiving
Minnesota   Philadelphia
Adam Thielen Player Zach Ertz
7 Receptions 10
116 Yards 110
16.6 Avg Yards 11.0
1 Touchdowns 1
68 Long 23
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Minnesota 375 77 298 2 3 0 3.0 1
Philadelphia 364 81 283 2 2 0 1.0 0
Upcoming Games
  • Philadelphia will play their next game on the road against N.Y. Giants. The Eagles have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game at home against Arizona. The Vikings have a W/L % of 1.000 after a win and .500 after a loss.