Vikings rally to beat Colts, 2113, on Sunday Night Football
Nov 03, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts move from Anthony Richardson to Joe Flacco at quarterback didn't pay off immediately as they fell to the Minnesota Vikings, 21-13, at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday Night Football.
The Colts' offense didn't do much as Flacco finished 16-of-27 for 179 yards.
Both teams committed turnovers on their first possessions. Flacco and running back Jonathan Taylor fumbled an exchange at the Minnesota 26-yard line. Safety Harrison Smith recovered to end the scoring threat. The Vikings were then on the verge of points when quarterback Sam Darnold threw an interception to Zaire Franklin in the end zone. The first quarter ended scoreless.
The Colts got on the board first in the second quarter when defensive lineman Grover Stewart stripped Darnold as he threw him to the ground. Defensive back Kenny Moore II scooped up the ball and returned the fumble 38 yards for a defensive touchdown.
Both teams missed 53-yard field goals before Minnesota kicker Will Reichard botched a 31-yard attempt off the upright to keep the Colts ahead 7-0 at halftime.
The Vikings finally got on the scoreboard with their first possession of the second half, moving 70 yards in nine plays. Wideout Jordan Addison capped the drive with a fantastic catch for a 4-yard TD to tie the game.
Minnesota took the lead on its next possession. Darnold connected with wide receiver Justin Jefferson for 41 yards down to the Indianapolis 1-yard line. Three plays later, Darnold found Jalen Nailor for a 7-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead.
The teams swapped interceptions at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. picked off Flacco, then safety Nick Cross intercepted Darnold on the very next play. The turnover led to a 42-yard Matt Gay field goal to cut the Colts' deficit to 14-10.
The Colts drove to the Vikings' 40-yard line on their next possession, but turned the ball over on downs. Minnesota put together an 8-play, 60-yard drive capped by a Darnold to Josh Oliver 14-yard touchdown to ice the game.
Gay connected from 54 yards to make the game 21-13, but the Colts could not recover their ensuing onside kick.
The Colts return home next week after two straight games on the road to host the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (7-2) at Lucas Oil Stadium at 1 p.m.