SEATTLE — A strong first half gave way to a disastrous third quarter for the Vikings, who fell to the Seahawks, 37-30, on Monday Night Football.

Minnesota built a 17-10 lead at halftime, scoring on a 47-yard field goal as the first half expired.

Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook got tripped up on the second play of the third quarter, which went for a gain of 1 and helped force a quick punt.

It wasn't good, but then bad went to worse.

One play after Seattle tied the game on a 1-yard touchdown by Rashaad Penny, Cook rushed for no gain and fumbled.

The ball was recovered by Bradley McDougald at the Minnesota 26.

Cook was injured on the play and didn't return. So was Stefon Diggs, who did continue playing.

Cook finished with 29 yards on nine carries and three receptions for 35 yards. He was replaced by rookie Alexander Mattison, who had 22 yards on four carries and 51 receiving yards on four catches.

Diggs finished with four receptions for 25 yards on nine targets. He had a 27-yard run on a sweep to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Cook on Minnesota's first possession, but he also bobbled a pass that was intercepted on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Seattle followed that turnover with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Penny that capped a 24-nothing run by the Seahawks.

Minnesota clawed its way back into the game with a pair of touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, but Seattle made plays in the final few minutes to hang on.

The Vikings fell to 8-4 and remain in the Wild Card for the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. The Seahawks improved to 10-2 on the year and vaulted into the lead in the NFC West.

Seattle outgained Minnesota 444 to 354, including 218 to 78 on the ground. The Seahawks won time of possession 39:45 to 20:15.

The teams had a few similar stats in the first half, including total yards (182 for Seattle to 180 for Minnesota), first downs gained (11 for the Seahawks and nine for the Vikings) and conversions on third down (3-for-6 for Seattle and 4-for-6 for Minnesota).

Cousins completed 13 of 17 passes for 125 yards and a passer rating of 96.4, and Wilson completed 10 of 15 passes for 98 yards with a passer rating of 57.1 in the first half.

Cousins finished 22-of-38 passing for 276 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His final passer rating was 87.2.

Wilson finished 21-of-31 passing for 240 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His passer rating was 98.9.

Scoring summary

Q1, 8:12 remaining

Vikings 7, Seahawks 0

Dalvin Cook rushes for a 2-yard touchdown (Dan Bailey kicks PAT) [6 plays, 83 yards, 3:31 time of possession]

Two explosives: The Vikings were able to get a pair of explosive gains on their first six snaps. Kirk Cousins avoided pressure and fired a short pass to C.J. Ham, who broke a tackle and turned it into a 36-yard gain for a new career-long reception. Stefon Diggs then turned a sweep on a third-and-1 into a 27-yard gain that moved the ball to the Seahawks 2-yard line.

Q1, 0:11 remaining

Vikings 7, Seahawks 7

Chris Carson rushes for a 1-yard touchdown (Jason Myers kicks PAT) [14 plays, 75 yards, 8:01 time of possession]

Pair of slants: The Seahawks were able convert a third-and-4 with a slant pass to Josh Gordon for a gain of 10 against Xavier Rhodes and a third-and-3 with a slant pass to D.K. Metcalf for a gain of 19 against Mike Hughes.

Q2, 5:09 remaining

Vikings 14, Seahawks 7

Anthony Harris returns interception 20 yards for a touchdown (Bailey kicks PAT)

Tip, bat, pick: Rookie Armon Watts did a good job of getting his hand up just as Russell Wilson fired a pass. Wilson tried to bat the ball down, but he was unable to do so because Stephen Weatherly was in the way. The ball fluttered forward and into Harris' capable arms.

Q2, 0:58 remaining

Vikings 14, Seahawks 10

Myers kicks a 29-yard field goal [10 plays, 62 yards, 4:11 time of possession]

Contain and deny: The Vikings were able to keep Wilson contained in the pocket on a third-and-9 from the Minnesota 11, and Harrison Smith made a diving pass breakup of a pass intended for Tyler Lockett at the goal line.

Q2, 0:00 remaining

Vikings 17, Seahawks 10

Bailey kicks a 47-yard field goal [8 plays, 46 yards, 0:58 time of possession]

Key recovery: Pat Elflein recovered a fumble by Cook after a 15-yard gain on a screen pass. The ball was placed at midfield with 12 seconds remaining. Cousins connected with Kyle Rudolph and Diggs for quick gains of 11 and 10, respectively, and Minnesota took its final timeout with a second left in the first half.

Q3, 9:02 remaining

Vikings 17, Seahawks 17

Rashaad Penny rushes for a 1-yard touchdown (Myers kicks PAT) [9 plays, 71 yards, 4:20 time of possession]

Flag football: Xavier Rhodes tackled Carson for a loss of 1 but was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play, which resulted in 15 penalty yards that moved the ball to the Minnesota 30.

Q3, 5:46 remaining

Seahawks 20, Vikings 17

Myers kicks a 29-yard field goal [7 plays, 15 yards, 3:04]

Important stand: Minnesota's defense was able to hold strong and force a field goal after a fumble by Cook gave Seattle the ball at the Vikings 26.

Q3, 0:05 remaining

Seahawks 27, Vikings 17

David Moore catches a 60-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Myers kicks PAT) [5 plays, 76 yards, 2:54 time of possession]

Deep shot: Wilson had plenty of time, and Moore was able to get separation against 1-on-1 coverage by Rhodes.

Q4, 13:30 remaining

Seahawks 34, Vikings 17

Penny catches a 13-yard pass from Wilson (Myers kicks PAT) [3 plays, 25 yards, 1:25 time of possession]

Takeaway times two: The Seahawks were able capitalize on their second drive to start in Vikings territory after a Minnesota turnover. Tre Flowers picked off a pass that was tipped by Diggs at the Minnesota 25.

Q4, 12:49 remaining

Seahawks 34, Vikings 24

Laquon Treadwell catches a 58-yard pass from Cousins (Bailey kicks PAT) [3 plays, 75 yards, 0:41 time of possession]

Nobody home: Cousins was able to elude the rush, scramble to his right and find Treadwell, who was wide open against the coverage.

Q4, 7:14 remaining

Seahawks 34, Vikings 30

Rudolph catches a 3-yard pass from Cousins (Bailey misses PAT) [8 plays, 72 yards, 2:20 time of possession]

A little help: The drive benefitted from a 30-yard pass interference penalty that Diggs drew.

Q4, 0:21 remaining

Seahawks 37, Vikings 30

Myers kicks a 36-yard field goal [7 plays, 24 yards, 2:06 time of possession]

Extra boost: The Seahawks were able to run clock and add to their lead.