Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, one of the Vikings' prized additions in the offseason, intercepted his first pass in purple in the first quarter of tonight's preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the Chiefs in the red zone and threatening to tie the game, Munnerlyn jumped in front of Chiefs wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr., who was running a deep post through the end zone.

"I was playing Cover Three man and I had outside leverage," he said. "I knew I was close to the end zone so I knew he couldn't run by me. He had to stop soon. So I undercut him and made a play."

But then Munnerlyn, who has returned five of his seven regular-season interceptions for scores, admittedly made the mistake of trying to run the ball out of the end zone instead of taking a knee and taking the touchback. The poor field position preceded a Matt Cassel sack, fumble and safety.

"I should have stayed in the end zone to give the offense better field position," he said. "But it's the preseason. In a game situation, I know I've got to make a better judgment and get on a knee."

The interception was the first of three for the Vikings, who picked off starter Alex Smith twice.

"Usually when you get around the quarterback, good things happen," head coach Mike Zimmer said.