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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Forness

3 Vikings set milestones in Sunday’s Week 9 win vs. Commanders

The Minnesota Vikings found a way to come back from being down 10 to the Washington Commanders on Sunday to win the game 20-17.

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The game itself was a weird one, as there were numerous plays that were unlucky for the Vikings but they found a way to get a win against a tough Commanders team.

Throughout the game, the Vikings had come impressive individual performances but specifically had three players set milestones on the day.

Kirk Cousins passes Daunte Culpepper in passing touchdowns

Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes the ball as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Cousins is moving up in the record books across the board but he made a significant jump on Sunday by passing Daunte Culpepper in career passing touchdowns as a Minnesota Vikings. Culpepper threw 135 touchdown passes between 2000 and 2005 and Cousins’ two touchdowns catapulted him past Culpepper giving him 136 in his Vikings career. There has been a lot of discussion throughout the fanbase as to who is better between the two and this is one more feather in the cap of Cousins.

Adam Thielen catches his 500th pass

Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) runs after the catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Going into Sunday, only two Vikings had caught 500 passes with the franchise: Randy Moss and Cris Carter. Adam Thielen joined them with his first catch on Sunday and now has 502 in his career. Thielen has had quite a journey going from a $500 scholarship to being a very good receiver for the Vikings over the course of the last 10 seasons.

Harrison Smith breaks team record for most starts by a safety

Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas (82) during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings have had some great safeties to play for them during their tenure. From Paul Krause to Joey Browner and Orlando Thomas, none of them have started more games at the safety position than Smith. He started his 151st game on Sunday, setting a Vikings franchise record. In doing so, he also had his first three-game interception streak when he intercepted Taylor Heinicke in the second half.

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