The Indianapolis Colts travel to play the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday in NFL Week 15 action.
The Colts (4-8-1) are technically alive in the AFC South, but they are more likely to end up in the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Indianapolis has lost three in a row after winning interim coach Jeff Saturday’s debut, and it is coming off its bye week.
The Vikings (10-3) are trying to bounce back from a loss to the Detroit Lions, and they can clinch the NFC North title this weekend.
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More:Questionable facemask penalty benefits Colts vs. Vikings
Final: Vikings 39, Colts 36, OT
This is more than a little bizarre.
The Colts lead 33-0 at halftime. The Vikings scored 29 straight points over the last 16:13 of regulation and tied it at 36 with 2:15 left in the fourth quarter.
Greg Joseph’s 40-yard field goal in the closing seconds of overtime clinches the biggest comeback win in NFL regular-season history.
Matt Ryan passes for 182 yards, 64 after halftime. The Colts rush for 166 yards, 76 after halftime.
Kirk Cousins passes for 447 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, and he is sacked 7 times.
Dalvin Cook has 195 combined yards and a receiving TD. Justin Jefferson has 11 catches for 110 yards and a TD. KJ Osborn has 10 catches for 158 yards and TD.
The Colts (4-9-1) host the Chargers a week from Monday.
1:41 left overtime: Vikings get one more chance
The Colts punt, and Minnesota takes over at its 18.
4:50 left overtime: Colts hold the Vikings
The Colts have it at their 12 after Minnesota’s punt.
Kwity Paye registers the Colts’ 7th sack.
DeForest Buckner extends the drive with a personal foul while rushing Kirk Cousins.
:13 left 4Q: Colts stop Vikings
Dayo Odeyingbo catches up to the running Kirk Cousins to prevent a first down. Punt is downed at the 1.
1:10 left 4Q: Vikings get one more chance
Colts punt and the Vikings start from their 26.
2:15 left 4Q: Vikings come all the way back
Dalvin Cook gets the screen and goes 64 yards on the first play. The 2-point play goes to TJ Hockenson. Tied. Colts 36, Vikings 36
2:19 left 4Q: Colts fail on downs
Matt Ryan sneaks on 4th down but is short. Minnesota gets it at its 36.
2:52 left 4Q: Colts stop Vikings on downs
Dayo Odeyingbo catches up to the running Kirk Cousins, and the Colts take over on downs.
3:23 left 4Q: Colts fumble the ball away
It should have been a touchdown return on the fumble, but play had been blown dead, so upon review, the return doesn’t count. Also, Chandon Sullivan, who returned the ball, is penalized for throwing his helmet in frustration. The Vikings being their drive in their territory.
5:30 left 4Q: Vikings are within one score
Adam Thielen gets a 1-yard reception from Kirk Cousins. The 33-point lead is down to 8. Colts 36, Vikings 28
8:02 left 4Q: Rodney Thomas intercepts Kirk Cousins
The rookie snags the pass at the 2.
10:26 left 4Q: Minnesota facemask wipes out long punt return
Jalen Reagor got to the red zone before Matt Haack tackled him. But the Vikings wind up starting from their 13 after the penalty.
12:53 left 4Q: Vikings keep coming
Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson from 8 yards. That’s a 61-yard drive. Colts 36, Vikings 21
Entering 4th quarter: Colts 36, Vikings 14
Colts close the third quarter with their 5th sack of Kirk Cousins. Ifeadi Odenigbo, who blocked a punt earlier, corrals Cousins.
1:13 left 3Q: Vikings’ offense gets rolling
CJ Ham plows in from 1 yard. The Vikings have 143 yards in the quarter. Colts 36, Vikings 14
4:53 left 3Q: Chase McLaughlin hits again
That 52-yard field goal puts him 5-of-5 on the day and 27-of-32 for the season. The Colts have their most points in a game this year. Colts 36, Vikings 7
8:22 left 3Q: Vikings get on the board
Kirk Cousins hits KJ Osborn from 3 yards. A 63-yard Cousins-to-Osborn connection sets it up. Colts 33, Vikings 7
13:57 left 3Q: Colts keep bringing it
Yannick Ngakoue registers the Colts’ 4th sack, and Minnesota goes 3-and-out. The Colts start from their 34 after the punt.
Halftime: Colts 33, Vikings 0
What you are about to read is true.
The Colts have touchdowns from the offense, defense and special teams (blocked punt). They have 4 field goals. They are +2 in turnover margin.
The Vikings have looked hopeless.
Indy’s offensive numbers are good. Matt Ryan has 118 passing yards and the Colts have rushed for 95 (mostly without the injured Jonathan Taylor).
Kirk Cousins has 43 passing yards and has been sacked 3 times. He threw a pick-6 to Julian Blackmon. The Vikings have less than 100 offensive yards. They have failed on 4th down twice, including an incomplete pass on a fake punt.
There has never been a 30-point-plus comeback in NFL regular-season history. According to ESPN, the Colts have a 98.3% chance of winning.
:08 left 2Q: Chase McLaughlin knocks in his 4th field goal
The 27-yarder caps a clock-consuming drive. The Colts lost the fourth quarter against Dallas 33-0. Now look at this. Colts 33, Vikings 0
5:50 left 2Q: Julian Blackmon with a pick-6
That’s about as easy as it gets from 19 yards. That’s just the Colts’ 6th interception of the season. Colts 30, Vikings 0
6:29 left 2Q: Questionable call helps Colts
Colts punt for the first time, and Minnesota starts from its 5. Vikings fans are angry that Michael Pittman Jr. was ruled down on the 3rd-down play rather than a Minnesota strip and fumble return for a touchdown.
8:58 left 2Q: Colts stop Vikings again
DeForset Buckner gets to Kirk Cousins on 3rd down. After the punt, the Colts start from their 27.
10:41 left 2Q: Colts 23, Vikings 0
Chase McLaughlin hits from 49 yards after Matt Ryan throws 3 incomplete passes. The Colts have just 1 offensive touchdown despite spending most of the game in Vikings territory. Colts 23, Vikings 0
11:01 left 2Q: Vikings fake a punt, fail
Ryan Wright’s pass is too tall for the receiver. Colts get it at the Vikings 31 (again).
13:07 left 2Q: Colts extend their lead
Chase McLaughlin hits from 28 yards. The last time the Colts got to 20 points, they beat the Raiders 25-20 on Nov. 13. Colts 20, Vikings 0
1:10 left 1Q: Colts stop Vikings on downs
Indianapolis stuffs the run on 4th-and-short. Colts have it at Minnesota’s 31.
3:51 left 1Q: Colts keep pouring it on
Matt Ryan hits Deon Jackson from 2 yards. So far, the Colts have 110 total yards to Minnesota’s 48, scored a special teams TD and forced a turnover. Colts 17, Vikings 0
Matt Ryan hits Jelani Woods for a 35-yard gain to the Vikings 19.
7:20 left 1Q: Colts force a turnover
Dalvin Cook, one play after gaining 40 yards, is stripped by Zaire Franklin. Isaiah Rodgers Sr. recovers and the Colts start from their 34. The Colts entered the game last in the NFL in turnover margin, and the Vikings were 4th-best.
8:12 left 1Q: Colts block punt, score
JoJo Domann catches the punt blocked by Ifeadi Odenigbo and returns it 24 yards. Colts 10, Vikings 0
9:11 left 1Q: Colts score on their opening drive
The Colts stall after reaching the 1 and settle for Chase McLaughlin’s 26-yard field goal. The Colts entered the game with an NFL-low 10 points on opening drives this season. Colts 3, Vikings 0
Zach Moss is corralled for a 7-yard loss from the 1 on 3rd down.
Colts run two jet sweeps on their opening drive: Michael Pittman Jr. gains 19 yards and Ashton Dulin 5 to convert a 3rd-down play.
Dallis Flowers starts the game with a 49-yard kickoff return, setting up the Colts at their 48-yard line.
Colts, Vikings inactive
Colts: CB Brandon Facyson (illness), CB Kenny Moore II (ankle), WR Mike Strachan (concussion), QB Sam Ehlinger, DE Ben Banogu, C Wesley French, DT Chris Williams
Vikings: CB Kalon Barnes, C Garrett Bradbury, DL Ross Blacklock, LB Patrick Jones II, CB Parry Nickerson.
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