Vikings vs. Colts Game Observations: Overcoming Early Mistakes in ...
MINNEAPOLIS — Winning ugly is better than losing pretty.
The Vikings can confirm.
Minnesota overcame some significant mistakes on offense and special teams — and a defensive touchdown by Indianapolis — in the first half to prevail 21-13 on Sunday Night Football.
The Vikings improved to 6-2 on the season, and the Colts fell to 4-5.
Justin Jefferson sealed the victory and wrapped a big night by successfully high-pointing an onside kick attempt with 28 seconds remaining in the game.
The Vikings outgained the Colts 415 to 227 and possessed the football for a whopping 36:54, earning 29 first downs and converting 6-for-12 on third downs and one attempt on fourth down.
Minnesota committed three turnovers, with Sam Darnold getting sacked and fumbling after Grover Stewart's first contact with the QB hit Darnold's helmet. The ball was scooped and returned 38 yards for a touchdown by Kenny Moore II.
Darnold also was intercepted twice, but he kept firing, finishing 28-of-34 passing with 290 yards and three touchdowns, which was good for a passer rating of 107.1.
Here are four more observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a scoring summary:
1. Defense locks things down
Minnesota's defense rebounded after a pair of tough games, limiting Indianapolis to just 13 first downs and limiting the Colts to a 3-for-11 showing on third down and a 1-for-2 output on fourth down.
The Vikings limited the Colts to 68 rushing yards and 159 net passing yards.
A 13-yard gain by Jonathan Taylor was the longest rush allowed by Minnesota, and the Vikings limited the talented back to a total of 48 yards on 13 carries.
Harrison Smith recorded his first fumble recovery since 2019 when he pounced on a bobbled exchange to end the first Colts possession of the game. Smith also delivered a couple of key pass breakups late.
Byron Murphy, Jr., recorded his 11th career interception and sixth with the Vikings. It was his third of the season and second in as many games.
Jonathan Greenard recorded two sacks late, and Jihad Ward also recorded one in the fourth quarter.
The Colts had played the first 57-plus minutes without allowing a sack until Greenard broke through.
2. Big night for Jefferson & Oliver
Jefferson tied former teammate Adam Thielen (6,682) for fourth on the Vikings all-time receiving yardage leaderboard one week after moving past Jake Reed for fifth on Thursday Night Football.
Jefferson matched Thielen late in the third quarter with a 41-yard reception against single coverage by Samuel Womack III on third-and-2. It moved the ball to the Indianapolis 1, and despite losing ground on consecutive run plays, Minnesota scored a 7-yard touchdown with a pass to Jalen Nailor.
The play also extended Jefferson's streak of games with at least one 25-yard reception to eight, tying Isaac Bruce (2000 season) for the second-longest streak since 1994. Jefferson can tie the record set by Jimmy Smith (2004) next week at Jacksonville in Smith's old stomping grounds.
The 2020 first-round pick also completed a pass to Aaron Jones, Sr., on a throwback for a gain of 22 in the first half.
Jefferson entered the night with 6,545 yards, the third-most receiving yards through a players first five seasons, trailing Rams Legend Torry Holt (6,784) and Moss (6,743).
Tight end Josh Oliver helped ice the victory with a 14-yard touchdown with 2:05 remaining in the game. Minnesota bootlegged Darnold to the left, and the big tight end got behind the defender.
Darnold also threw a touchdown to Jordan Addison, who made an incredible catch to end Minnesota's first possession of the second half and tie the game at 7 with 10:23 left in the third quarter.
3. Impact of Hockenson, Robinson & Akers
The Vikings welcomed back the return of tight end T.J. Hockenson, who played for the first time since Dec. 24, 2023, when he suffered a torn ACL.
Hockenson recorded three catches for 19 yards on four targets.
Minnesota also got a great night from the newest Viking, left tackle Cam Robinson, acquired in a trade last week from Jacksonville. Robinson started in place of Christian Darrisaw, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8.
Another player acquired earlier this season via trade, Cam Akers, also made a mark on the game.
The former Texan had his first carries for the Vikings since suffering an Achilles injury in Week 9 of 2023. Akers rushed six times for 46 yards.
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