Colts vs. Vikings Recap - Week 15

A touchdown off of a blocked punt was the highlight of a fantastic defensive first half for the Colts, but the unit fell apart and allowed the biggest comeback in NFL history.

The Colts (4-8-1) came off of their bye week traveling to Minnesota to take on the 10-3 Vikings this Saturday. Indianapolis entered leading the all time matchup 18-7-1, and hadn’t been beaten by Minnesota since 1997. However, the Vikings came in as 3.5-point favorites before the game. 

The Colts allowed the biggest comeback in NFL history in an overtime game that handed them a 39-36 loss. After a big return by Dallis Flowers that started the Colts at midfield, they were able to get the ball down to the 1 before settling for a field goal. They then forced a quick punt and blocked it, and JoJo Domann ran it in for a score. Things didn’t get any better for the Vikings, as Dalvin Cook rushed for a monster gain on the first play of the drive, but then fumbled on the next play. Indianapolis kept the pressure on, driving down the field and punching it in with a Deon Jackson touchdown reception. Minnesota quickly went three-and-out, then on a high pressure 4th down failed to convert in their own territory. The Colts only came up with a few yards, but knocked home a field goal to make it 20-0. The Vikings again went 3-and-out, but faked a punt, and the pass was incomplete. The Colts couldn’t gain any yards, but hit another field goal. After the two teams traded punts, Kirk Cousins threw an interception deep in his own territory, and Julian Blackmon walked it in for a defensive touchdown. After another punt, the Colts came away with a field goal to end the half with a 33-0 lead. 

After each team punted, the Vikings finally got on the board with a touchdown drive fueled by a 63-yard K.J. Osborn catch. The Colts were able to respond with a 52-yard field goal, but Minnesota came right back with a 75-yard touchdown drive. The Vikings continued to inch back after forcing a punt and scoring a Justin Jefferson touchdown to make it 36-21. The Vikings got the ball back after another punt, and threw it deep but a miscommunication with Jalen Reagor resulted in an interception. The Colts couldn’t do anything with it, and punted once again from their own end zone. Just a few plays later, Adam Thielen caught a TD pass to pull his team within 8. The Colts finally gained one first down on the subsequent drive, but a fumble gave Minnesota the ball back once more. Cousins hit on a few throws, but eventually failed to convert on 4th and long. The Colts were faced with a tough 4th-and-1 a few plays later, and instead of kicking the field goal to win it decided to try a sneak, and got stuffed. The very next play, Dalvin Cook took a short pass 64 yards to the house, and a two point conversion tied the game 36-36. The two teams each punted, and the Colts took a knee to send the game to overtime.

The Vikings received the opening overtime kickoff, and quickly threatened to score. They were faced with a 3rd and 24, however, and despite gaining 14 yards, punted the ball to the Colts’ 13. The Colts’ offense again couldn’t get much going, gaining two first downs but punting the ball right back. Minnesota got the ball, completed a few big passes to get to field goal range, stopped the clock with seven seconds left, and Greg Joseph hammered home a 40-yarder to complete the biggest comeback of all time, clinch the division for the Vikings, and finish off a win. 

Matt Ryan had yet another underwhelming performance, completing 19 of his 33 attempts for 182 yards and a touchdown. Zack Moss was the leading rusher for the Colts, running 24 times for 81 yards. Speaking of rushing, Jonathan Taylor exited the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury and his status has not been updated yet. Michael Pittman, Jr. was practically the Colts’ only receiver, with 10 catches for 60 yards. Kirk Cousins had a great day, throwing 34/54 for 460 yards and four TDs along with 2 picks. K.J. Osborn and Justin Jefferson had 157 and 123 yards respectively. 

Final: MIN 39-36 IND

Analysis

This game was a tale of two halves, and Colts fans can’t even really be that frustrated with the result. In a game that seemed to tell the tale of the season for Indianapolis, they just couldn’t finish and blew the largest lead in NFL history. The offense really wasn’t as efficient as the box score would suggest, because they had the help of 2 defensive touchdowns and plenty of great field position. The defense came out fired up in the first half and gave their team a big lead, but completely fell apart in the second half for the second straight game, and couldn’t stop anything the Vikings threw their way. This game should signify the end of the Colts’ playoff hopes, and is a pretty fitting end of an atrocious season. 

Around the Division

The rest of the AFC South faces a pretty tough slate tomorrow, as the Texans host the Chiefs, the Jaguars host the Cowboys, and the Titans travel to face the Chargers. After the Colts’ loss, however, it looks like the Colts will be eliminated from playoff contention again this year and will start to look toward the draft and the 2023 season. 

Looking Ahead

The 4-9-1 Colts will return home for Christmas and host the Chargers on Monday Night Football next week. Indianapolis doesn’t have much to play for the rest of the season, however, so their strategy going forward is pretty unknown. The Chargers open the week as 3-point favorites. 

Image: Indianapolis Colts Gameday Photo Gallery