Vikings find second-half spark, hold off Colts
Sam Darnold threw three touchdown passes in the second half and the Minnesota Vikings held on for a 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night in Minneapolis.
Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and Josh Oliver had one touchdown reception apiece for Minnesota (6-2), which bounced back from a two-game skid. Darnold completed 28 of 34 passes for 290 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, and Justin Jefferson finished with seven catches for a game-high 137 receiving yards.
Cornerback Kenny Moore II scored the only touchdown for the Colts (4-5) on a fumble recovery. Joe Flacco completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards and one interception.
The Vikings outgained the Colts 415-227.
After being held scoreless in the first half, Minnesota pulled even at 7-7 on the opening drive of the third quarter. Darnold rolled right and passed to Addison, who made a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown.
Minnesota scored again to grab a 14-7 advantage with 2:49 remaining in the third quarter. Darnold connected with Nailor for a 7-yard touchdown to finish a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
Indianapolis cut its deficit to 14-10 with 12:41 to go in the fourth quarter. Matt Gay drilled a 42-yard field goal just inside the left upright.
The Vikings grabbed a two-score lead with 2:05 left in the fourth quarter. Darnold kept the ball on a play-action fake and threw to Oliver near the front left pylon for a 14-yard touchdown.
Gay made a 54-yarder to bring the Colts within 21-13 with 28 seconds remaining.
Jefferson recovered the Colts’ last-ditch onside kick to secure the victory for Minnesota.
The Colts’ defense provided the only points of the first half.
Defensive lineman Grover Stewart applied pressure and forced a fumble by Darnold. Moore scooped up the ball and sprinted 38 yards for a touchdown to put Indianapolis on top 7-0 with 10:56 to go in the first half.
Vikings left tackle Cam Robinson made his team debut less than a week after he was acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
–Field Level Media
