Vikings use perfect fake punt to set up first touchdown, tie Chiefs at halftime
The Vikings scored a touchdown just before halftime to take a brief 13-10 lead over Kansas City
The Minnesota Vikings finally found the end zone just before halftime of their matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon, all thanks to a nifty — and risky — play call from head coach Kevin O’Connell.
The Vikings pulled out a perfect fake punt with about five minutes left in the half, and perfectly caught the Chiefs off guard. Running back Ty Chandler took a handoff on a direct snap and broke out for 15 yards down the right sidelines at U.S. Bank Stadium, which safely gave the Vikings the first down and kept the drive alive.
FAKE PUNT WORKS! @Vikings
📺: #KCvsMIN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/6vhvGWwcqf— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
This fake punt was nice. Key blocks from Josh Oliver and C.J. Ham, among others. pic.twitter.com/dYGhhL16Nb
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 8, 2023
Finally, eight plays later, Kirk Cousins found Jordan Addison in the back of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. That gave the Vikings a 13-10 lead, their first of the day, just before halftime.
Kirk finds @Espn_Jordan in the end zone, and the @Vikings take the lead!
📺: #KCvsMIN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/6lpU5caBKA— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
The fake punt was Chandler’s first carry of the day. He entered Week 5 with just 27 rushing yards on five carries this season, his second in the league.
The Vikings, who fumbled on their opening drive for a third straight game, kicked a pair of field goals before the touchdown. The Chiefs scored on their first drive of the day — running back Isiah Pacheco punched in a 1-yard touchdown — and kicked a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
The Chiefs mounted one last drive in the first half and Harrison Butker kicked a 40-yard field goal to tie the game up 13-13 at the break. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce went down with what appeared to be a foot injury on that final drive, too, and was seen walking off the field very slowly for the locker room early after throwing his helmet down in frustration on the sidelines. Despite the scare, Kelce returned to the game in the second half.
While the fake punt kept the Vikings in the game, they couldn't get the win in the end. The Chiefs jumped up in the second half, and found the end zone twice in the third quarter, to take the 27-20 win. The Vikings are now just 1-4 on the season.