Vikings beat Colts 21-14 to stop a two-game skid
After a second-half rebound on a charge, Minnesota defeated Indianapolis on “Sunday Night Football” to end a two-game losing streak.
Sam Darnold threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns and Minnesota (6-2) overcame three Darnold turnovers and two missed field goals to beat the Colts 21-10.
The Vikings entered Week 9 of the NFL season almost desperate for a win after suffering three losses in just five days: They lost games to the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams, and starting offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw from a knee injury. Minnesota traded for lineman Cam Robinson, who started against the Colts just three days after his first workout with the Vikings.
Held scoreless at halftime for the first time this season, the Vikings eventually took control by scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half and added another with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to complete their increase your lead. Indianapolis made a late field goal, but was unable to recover the onside kick in the final seconds.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson caught seven passes for 137 yards, his 32nd career 100-yard game.
The Colts (4-5) started 39-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco for the first time after benching second-year first-round pick Anthony Richardson. Flacco threw for 179 yards with an interception to lead a one-sided attack that saw Indianapolis record a season-low 68 rushing yards.