Minnesota Vikings (6-2) – Indianapolis Colts (4-5): 21-13
Putting Joe Flacco (16/27, 179 yards, 1 int) on the field will not have really paid off for the Colts. Indianapolis did not score a single touchdown on offense this Sunday. An inefficiency which found its climax in hot moments. In the fourth quarter, an interception and fourth-down failure finished off Indianapolis as the team was able to move ahead.
The Vikings had the merit of being sharper in sequences, but only after a catastrophic first half. And the purples lost three balls before finally taking cover.
Clumsiness, clumsiness
Fumble, interception, a fumble returned for a touchdown by the Colts and three missed field goals in a row! So much for the summary of a first half to forget for the attacks. A carnage which is therefore capped by a 7-0 advantage at halftime for Indianapolis.
Hampered by the pressure, Sam Darnold (28/34, 290 yards, 3 TDs, 2 ints) 4 sacks) is struggling. But as there is no better opponent, the match remains open.
The Awakening of Justin Jefferson
With five receptions of more than 20 yards, Justin Jefferson (7 rec, 137 yards) was the driving force behind the Vikings' attack. It is he who starts the engine of his attack just after the break, even without being at the conclusion in the end zone. It was Jordan Addison and Jailen Nailor who scored in quick succession to allow the purples to get back in front (14-7).
Return of the clumsiness then, with an interception from Joe Flacco… immediately followed by one from Sam Darnold…
The Colts still come back with a kick (14-10), but Darnold finds Jordan Oliver for the KO touchdown (21-10) with just over two minutes remaining. Indianapolis scores a field goal (21-13), but the onside kick is covered by the inevitable Justin Jefferson.
After two defeats, the Vikings are moving forward. We'll just have to pay a little more attention to the ball in the coming weeks.
