After falling behind by 33 points, the Vikings make the biggest comeback in NFL History and clinch NFC North.
The Minnesota Vikings won the overtime game against the Indianapolis Colts by 39 points. They also clinched the NFC North title.
The Vikings had a huge fourth quarter that sent them to overtime
Jeff Saturday was the Colts’ leader and they had lost six of the last seven games. The Colts were looking to break that streak as soon as the Vikings deferred their opening toss.
After a remarkable 49-yard kick return by the Colts, they took advantage of a productive start to their drive with a field goals. The defense forced a three and out. Former Vikings defensive lineman Ifeadi Olenigbo blocked the punt, and JoJo Domann picked up the ball for a 24 yard touchdown return touchdown.
Opposite a 10-0 lead with 8:12 left in the first quarter, the Vikings couldn’t seem to catch a break as star running back Dalvin Cook broke off a massive 40-yard run and then fumbled, resulting in a Matt Ryan touchdown to give the Colts a 17-point lead, their largest all season.
The score was 20-0 after the Vikings held the Colts to a field goal.
The Vikings faked a punt. Ryan Wright made a pass. Ryan Wright sailed a pass.
When it seemed things couldn’t look any bleaker for Minnesota, NFL leading receiver Justin Jefferson went down after a hit from Bobby Okereke toward the end of the second quarter and boos from fans stopped or the first time until he cautiously rose and headed to the medical tent.
Julian Blackmon ran a touchdown pass to Jalen Reagor with 6 minutes left in quarter 2.
The Vikings had a brief moment of hope, but it quickly faded as KJ Osborn made an important catch that the Colts were able to challenge.
In the third quarter, momentum changed
Nine minutes left in the third period, Osborn made a big catch that put the Vikings in position to score their first points. Cousins gave him the ball in the end zone.
The Vikings marched down field after a Colts field goal and CJ Ham crossed the line for back to back touchdowns with one minute remaining in the third quarter.
To start the fourth quarter, Jefferson scored a touchdown that brought the score to 36-21.
Cousins was unable to find the Colts on offense in half two and found Adam Thielen, a 1-yard touchdown with 5:05 left.
Chandon Sullivan seemed to be making a fumble return touchdown with three minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the dead ball called resulted in the touchdown being null.
This call seemed to be the ultimate breaking point for Vikings. Sullivan threw a helmet onto the field. Coaches screamed, while teammates held him back.
Cook’s decisive touchdown in overtime was a moment that will be largely forgotten by the Vikings as they fight to win.