“When They Last Met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Minnesota 19, Washington 9 – Week 8, October 24, 2019
Kirk Cousins completed 23 of 26 passes as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Washington Redskins 19-9 on NFL Thursday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Two Dustin Hopkins field goals (21, 30) tied the score at 6-6 with 1:57 remaining in the half. However, Cousins quickly shredded the Washington defense in seven plays for a 75-yard drive, completing three passes for 15, 16 and 31 yards, culminating in Dalvin Cook’s 4-yard touchdown run with 7 seconds remaining in the half.
Case Keenum performed admirably in the first half, completing 12 of 16 for 130 yards, no interceptions and a 98.4 passer rating. However, Keenum was knocked out of the game with a concussion on Washington’s final possession of the half.
Rookie first-round pick Dwayne Haskins played the second half. Unfortunately, reports of Haskins not being a good student and unprepared were found correct. Haskins completed 3 of his 5 attempts for 33 yards with one interception and a passer rating of 40.
Washington’s second-half possessions lasted only 3, 6, 2, 3 and 1 play, gaining 7, 50, 4, -3 and 11 yards. On the possession gaining 50 yards, Adrian Peterson took a short pass for 21 yards, and he had a run of 29 yards leading to Hopkins’ third field goal (43), bringing Washington to within 16-9.
Following a Washington defensive stop of the Vikings on their own 34-yard line, Peterson ran for four yards to the Vikings’ 30. On the next play, Terry McLaurin was open over the middle, but Haskins’ pass sailed high and was intercepted by Anthony Harris at the 14, ending Washington’s short-field opportunity to tie the game.