The Washington Commanders were riding high early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Taylor Heinicke found wide receiver Dax Milne for a touchdown to give Washington a 17-7 lead.
Then everything fell apart.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins led a nine-play, 68-yard drive aided by a Washington defensive penalty, yet the Commanders held Minnesota to a field goal to make it 17-10.
Heinicke, who had the entire crowd chanting his name, threw a brutal interception on Washington’s next drive that Minnesota safety Harrison Smith returned to give the Vikings terrific field position.
Cousins made the Commanders pay, finding running back Dalvin Cook on a 12-yard touchdown to tie the game with 7:46 remaining.
Still, Washington’s offense had a chance, but the Commanders went three and out as Heinicke was sacked on third down, forcing a punt. Minnesota would drive into field-goal range with Washington cornerback Benjamin St-Juste breaking up a potential touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson in the end zone, forcing a field goal attempt.
The Vikings attempted a field goal, and it was good, giving them a 20-17 lead.
Heinicke would have one more chance.
However, on Greg Joseph’s field goal, Washington defensive tackle John Ridgeway committed an unnecessary roughness play making contact with the center on the field, giving the Vikings a first down, essentially ending the game.
A few plays later, Joseph kicked a field goal with only 12 seconds remaining, ending the game.
Heinicke didn’t have a great day outside of some memorable plays. He completed 15 of 28 passes for 149 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin finished the game with five receptions for 56 yards.
Washington’s defense was outstanding through much of the game, hitting Cousins at least 14 times, but it wasn’t enough as the Commanders’ three-game winning streak comes to an end. Washington is on the road at undefeated Philadelphia next week.
