A stout defensive showing and a few flashy receptions lifted the Minnesota Vikings to a 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. The victory snapped Minnesota’s two-game losing streak that followed five consecutive Vikings wins.
Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson was quarterback Sam Darnold’s favorite target with 137 yards over seven catches, most of which resulted in explosive plays. Though he didn’t record a touchdown, Jefferson sparkled on the field by wearing some hefty diamond jewelry during the game and completed a 22-yard pass to Aaron Jones on a trick play.
Minnesota’s three TDs landed in the hands of Jalen Nailor, Josh Oliver and Jordan Addison, who laid out to snag a one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone.
Oh my… this angle of the Jordan Addison TD 🎥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0optsZlV8R
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
Minnesota’s defense shut down the Colts’ ground game, holding running back Jonathan Taylor to 48 yards and allowing only 227 total yards. Indianapolis’ lone touchdown came on defense after defensive tackle Grover Stewart strip-sacked Darnold early in the second quarter. Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II scooped up the loose ball and ran it 38 yards to the end zone.
Joe Flacco, who started after the Colts benched Anthony Richardson, completed 16-of-27 passes for 179 yards and an interception.
Covering Jefferson remains a challenge
Sometimes, a team’s best player is just too good, and that was the case Sunday night with Jefferson. It usually is with him.
The Colts’ secondary is young and loaded with recent draftees like Samuel Womack III and Jaylon Jones. They covered Jefferson admirably, but he exposed them multiple times. He crossed over the middle and leaped for catches, absorbing hits while hauling them in. He side-stepped the cornerbacks off the line of scrimmage, streaking up the sideline with ease. He sprinted into out routes and snagged catches on the sideline. And even when Darnold did not try him over the middle, the Colts’ cornerbacks played aggressively, once being flagged for holding.
Justin. Jefferson. Good. At. Football.
📺: #INDvsMIN on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/45lcyDBb6c— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
Jefferson’s running mate, Addison, had been quiet the last two weeks, and his finishing line — five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown — does not justify the performance. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Defense flusters Flacco
The Vikings’ defense suffocated Flacco throughout the night. The performance looked more like Minnesota’s first five games when Brian Flores’ unit was flustering every quarterback it faced.
Flacco looked like he was affected by the Vikings’ pressure. Unlike last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Vikings returned to their all-up defense formation, positioning linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Josh Metellus at the line of scrimmage. Minnesota often dropped out of the formation, but Flacco and the Colts’ offensive line had to sort through all their protection calls.
Importantly, the Vikings also kept Colts running back Taylor quiet throughout the night. The lack of explosive runs continuously placed the Vikings in advantageous situations on late downs. — Lewis
Colts’ offense sputters
Colts coach Shane Steichen repeatedly stated that Flacco gave his team “the best chance to win,” which is the No. 1 reason he benched Richardson. Indianapolis’ offense looked no different in Sunday’s loss.
The Colts struggled to generate explosive plays and stay on the field as Flacco made his third start of the season. He is now 1-2 on the year. Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. picked off Flacco in the third quarter after trying to force a throw to Josh Downs near the sideline.
After Flacco’s tough outing, Steichen’s decision to insert the 39-year-old into the starting lineup over Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 pick, will be further scrutinized. The whole point of the move was to win now, according to Steichen, yet if the Colts aren’t winning, the choice becomes harder and harder to justify. — James Boyd, Colts beat writer
Indy’s up-and-down
The Colts’ defense had takeaways with interceptions by Zaire Franklin and Nick Cross in the first and third quarters, but Indianapolis’ offense was unable to capitalize and the defense finally gave way after being on the field for nearly 40 minutes of a 60-minute contest.
With 2:49 left in the third quarter, Jefferson had outgained the Colts’ offense by himself with 137 receiving yards compared to Indy’s 128 yards of total yards. Oliver delivered the final knockout with a 14-yard TD reception late in the fourth quarter. Minnesota totaled 415 yards on offense, marking the fourth time the Colts’ defense has surrendered over 400 yards this season. — Boyd
Required reading
(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)
