Vikings vs. Colts score: Minnesota completes largest comeback in NFL history, scoring NFC North

Saturday afternoon became the odds-on touchdown in NFL history for the host Minnesota Vikings as they trailed 33-0 at halftime, the largest first-half home deficit in franchise history, against a squabbling Indianapolis Colts who have now lost four in a row. . The Colts fell to 4-9-1 after Minnesota’s historic 39-36 win in overtime. Thanks to their 33-point return, the most in a single game in NFL history, Minnesota sealed their first NFC North title since 2017 and also their first playoff berth since 2019.

The game turned from an unmitigated disaster into an unprecedented comeback as the Vikings used a 39-3 lead in the second half and overtime to edge the Buffalo Bills’ 32-point rally over the Houston Oilers in the 1992 AFC Wild Card Game, a game Buffalo won 41-38 in overtime after trailing 32-3. Going into Saturday, teams trailing by 30 or more points at a half have been 0-132 in the Super Bowl era since 1966, including playoff games. Make it 1-132 after the latest “Minnesota Miracle” was completed by kicker Greg Joseph’s 40-yard field goal in overtime. The Vikings are now the first team in NFL history to go 10-0 in games with one possession through the first 14 games of the season.

Minnesota’s first seven drive was a typical way to quickly throw the game out of reach as it ended with a blocked throw returned for an Indianapolis touchdown, a fumble by running back Dalvin Cook, consecutive turnovers on touchdowns, a point, a Cousins ​​pick-six and a punt. The Vikings harnessed the power of Cousins ​​and threw four second half touchdowns to KJ Osborn, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook as well as a one-yard dive by linebacker CJ Ham at the goal line. Cook’s touchdown drove Minnesota home, making a 64-yard screen pass for what became the game-tying score after the two-point conversion.

For the Colts and especially quarterback Matt Ryan, Sunday was a huge blow. Week 15 marked the first time this season that the Colts had led by double digits in a game, and they scored more points in the first quarter (17) than their average offensive lineman of the 31st running into the game, 16.1 points per game. Most of the touchdowns came via Colts defense and special teams, thanks to a 24-yard blocked score for the first touchdown of the game and Julian Blackmon’s 17-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Ryan grabbed the other score by throwing it for a 1-yard to running back Deon Jackson. The Indianapolis offense was playing with exceptional fielding position the entire first half between the deep hit return and the Vikings turning over two touchdowns of their own 31. Ryan is now on the losing end of the biggest comeback in NFL history and the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, collapsing 28-3 for the team. Atlanta Falcons vs New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. The best game of his career went to Colts kicker Chase McLaughlin as his five field goals, four of which came in the first half, was a new career high in a single game and tied the Colts’ single game record.

Next, the Vikings host NFC wild card hopeful Brian Daboll’s New York Giants. The Colts return home to host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football in Week 16.