Kirk Cousins tried to hit Adam Thielen in the middle of the field Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, but Richard Sherman came up with an interception instead.
Watching the play live, it sure looked like Cousins was simply way off the mark. However, after the game, Thielen lamented failing his responsibility and allowing Sherman to beat him to the spot.
Thielen is exactly right to point to the Sherman interception as “a game-changing play.”
The 49ers had opened the second half with a field goal to go up 17-10. Then, on the third play of Minnesota’s ensuing offensive possession, Sherman came up with the interception and the 49ers offense proceeded to score a touchdown to go up two scores, 24-10.
From that moment on, the game was pretty much over.
It’s pretty noble of Thielen to accept responsibility here. But the truth of the matter is that the entire Minnesota offense was a miserable wreck. Furthermore, Thielen himself was nowhere near 100% playing on a lacerated ankle that required stitches just a few days ago.
Aside from a brilliant 41-yard touchdown by Stefon Diggs, the Vikings were pretty much shut down during the final three quarters and were shut out completely in the second half.