It wasn't a competitive game offensively for either team, but the Minnesota Vikings defense tormented the Indianapolis Colts all game Sunday night, winning 21-13.
The Vikings improved to 6-2 on the season, but the Colts fell below .500 with a 4-5 record.
This week's headlines for the Colts include head coach Shane Steichen firing Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after struggling with a poor season, and veteran journeyman Joe Flacco joining the team. He announced that he would become the starting quarterback. .
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, 18, warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Brad Rempel Image)
But while Flacco found success in the Colts' offense this season, defensive coordinator Brian Flores applied all the right pressure to keep Flacco at bay throughout this contest.
One of the main things was stopping Jonathan Taylor and the Colts onslaught. The Vikings held the Colts to just 68 total yards on the ground as Taylor finished with just 48 yards on 13 carries.
That allowed Flores to disrupt Flacco in the pocket throughout the game, but he didn't get a sack the entire game until the final drive, when the Vikings went to the ground three times.
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Flacco was 16-of-27 for 179 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception as the Vikings' defense held the Colts' offense to just six points. He was fired three times.
Sam Darnold, on the other hand, was able to find the end zone three times through the air, even though his first drive of the game resulted in an interception, with the Vikings closing in on him.
It was slow for Minnesota after the interception. A drive led to a punt, a scoop-and-score touchdown for the Colts after Darnold was sacked, and several missed field goals left them scoreless.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker Imagine Images)
However, Darnold was ultimately able to convert Jordan Addison's 4-yard strike and add the extra point early in the third quarter to make the game 7-7.
That seemed to give Darnold momentum, but the ensuing drive was solid, with Jalen Naylor scoring a 7-yard touchdown to give Minnesota a seven-point lead.
In the end, Darnold and the Vikings sealed the victory with a touchdown pass to Josh Oliver just before the two-minute warning.
Darnold completed 28 of 34 passes for 290 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. And despite failing to reach the end zone for the second straight week, Justin Jefferson was active again, catching seven of eight targets for 137 yards.
The win was crucial for Minnesota, as it remains in second place in the NFC North standings after the Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker Imagine Images)
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Minnesota State also started the season 5-0, and the win ended its losing streak at two.
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