November 4th 2024.
On a cool Sunday night in Minneapolis, the Vikings took on the Colts in an intense game that had fans on the edge of their seats. Despite facing four sacks and three turnovers, quarterback Sam Darnold showed his resilience by throwing three second-half touchdown passes. The Minnesota defense also proved to be a formidable force, making quarterback Joe Flacco's return to the starting role a tough one for the Colts. In the end, the Vikings came out on top with a 21-13 win, putting an end to their two-game losing streak.
One of the standout players of the night was Justin Jefferson, who racked up an impressive 137 receiving yards. Jordan Addison also made a spectacular one-handed diving catch in the back corner of the end zone, getting the Vikings on the scoreboard after a slow and scoreless first half. Jalen Nailor's tiebreaking touchdown reception was a crucial moment that helped secure the Vikings' victory. On the other side, Kenny Moore II had a 38-yard fumble return in the second quarter, the only touchdown for the Colts in their first game all season that wasn't decided by six points or fewer.
The Colts' quarterback situation was a topic of discussion leading up to the game, with Anthony Richardson struggling and ultimately being replaced by Flacco. The 2023 fourth overall NFL draft pick had faced criticism after taking himself out of a play last week due to fatigue. Flacco, the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award winner with Cleveland last season, showed his experience and determination by going 16 for 27 with 179 yards and one interception. However, the Vikings' defense was able to hold him back and secure the win.
Despite their past record-breaking comeback against the Colts two years ago, the Vikings' first half was uncharacteristically slow. However, they were able to limit the Colts to only 92 yards on 20 plays, keeping the score close. The Colts' kicker, Will Reichard, also had a tough night, missing two field goals that could have made a significant difference in the outcome of the game.
Darnold, who finished the night with 28 for 34 and 290 yards, had a rocky start with an interception in the end zone. But he was able to redeem himself with a game-sealing touchdown to Josh Oliver with only 2:05 left on the clock. It was a much less dramatic comeback compared to their record-breaking one two years ago, but a win is a win.
Injuries were a concern for both teams, with the Colts' LT Bernhard Raimann unable to play and the Vikings' LB Blake Cashman out for the third straight game. Despite these setbacks, both teams fought hard until the end.
Looking ahead, the Colts will host the Buffalo Bills next Sunday, while the Vikings will travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars. It was a thrilling game for both teams, and the Vikings were able to come out on top in front of their home crowd. For more news and updates on the NFL, visit AP NFL at https://apnews.com/hub/NFL.
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