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    • Vikings-Colts: Minnesota overcomes 3 Sam Darnold turnovers to outlast Indianapolis 21-13
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    Vikings-Colts: Minnesota overcomes 3 Sam Darnold turnovers to outlast Indianapolis 21-13

    Kathleen William Posted on

    Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass over Indianapolis Colts cornerback Samuel Womack III (33) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

    Sam Darnold was a little careless with the football on Sunday night, but made enough plays to help Minnesota snap a two-game losing streak. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

    The aspect of the Indianapolis Colts benching Anthony Richardson that probably wasn't analyzed enough was what happened if Joe Flacco was terrible at replacing him.

    The Colts may have to ask themselves that question this week. Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Flacco was the team's quarterback for the future, but the first game after that announcement wasn't pretty. The Colts had almost nothing to offer on offense. Flacco wasn't a good fit and the Colts didn't have Richardson's running ability in return. They were simply inept in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

    With the win, the Vikings ended a two-game losing streak. Sam Darnold had three turnovers, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and the Colts still couldn't win. This is worrying. It will also raise questions about the Colts' decision to bench Richardson for Flacco and then watch Flacco, with all the difficulties Richardson has had, without the additional playmaking ability that the much younger Richardson brings to the offense. fit.

    The Colts are 4-5, which is not yet out of the AFC wild card race. They must once again decide which quarterback will help them stay in contention.

    The first half was poor for the Vikings, a continuation of the problems that caused them to fall into a two-game losing streak.

    Darnold has had issues with turnovers throughout his career, and that occurred on Sunday night. He threw an interception deep in Colts territory, moved left and then forced a pass into the end zone that had little chance of being completed by any Viking.

    Darnold's next turnover was even more damaging. He was sacked and fumbled, and cornerback Kenny Moore II grabbed the ball and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. That ended up being the only goal of the first half. The Colts offense didn't score a point in the first half. No goals were scored in the third quarter either.

    The first half was troubling for the Vikings. The Colts defense couldn't stop anyone this season. Minnesota failed to score a point before halftime. It didn't help that kicker Will Reichard missed two field goals, including one from 31 yards out.

    The Vikings started the season 5-0, but they didn't look like that team in the first half. Luckily, the Colts didn't take advantage of their chances.

    The Vikings offense showed life in the third quarter. Darnold completed some nice passes, including two touchdowns. This gave the Vikings a 14-7 lead.

    The Colts weren't out of the game at that point, but Flacco didn't play like he could do much with the opportunity. Flacco threw a terrible interception early in the fourth quarter. Luckily for him and the Colts, Darnold retaliated with an equally terrible INT of his own. Flacco and the Colts were unable to score a first down after that and settled for a field goal.

    The Colts defense played a pretty good game and it didn't matter. The offense was too weak to win.

    The Colts had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. But after entering Vikings territory, Flacco threw incomplete on third down and again on fourth down, each pass appearing to come a beat late, allowing a Vikings defensive back to take a hit and get rid of him. The Vikings then picked up a few first downs to bleed the rest of the game, and with 2:05 left, Darnold hit Josh Oliver for a touchdown. That lost the game.

    Richardson didn't complete passes quickly enough to keep his starting spot. But Flacco wasn't feeling much better Sunday night. It doesn't look like the Colts can go back to Richardson right away. They may be stuck.

    Live40 updates

    • Final: Vikings 21, Colts 13

    • Justin Jefferson grabs the onside kick

      That secures the win and puts Minnesota back on the win list and improves to 6-2. The Colts fall to 4-5, and after a poor stat line from Joe Flacco, going 16 of 27 for 179 yards and an interception with three sacks, the Colts will continue to have questions about who should start at quarterback.

    • A pass interference penalty against the Vikings set up Matt Gay's field goal with 28 seconds left

      The 54-yard attempt is good for cutting the lead to eight, and now the Colts need to recover an onside kick to have a chance at a Commanders-like miracle.

    • Colts get a first down

      Josh Downs is now up to six catches for 60 yards on the night. Not a great night, but 12 points if he had to start in a PPR Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football league.

    • Another Vikings sack

      This was a defensive exercise for the Vikings, and their Jihad Ward picked up Co-Flacco this time to make it 3rd-and-22

    • A first down sack brings the game to a two-minute warning

      Jonathan Greenard picked up his sixth sack of the season with the sack that puts Indy behind the posts, making a comeback attempt that much more difficult.

    • Darnold finds Josh Oliver for a big touchdown

      Darnold now has three touchdown passes in the game and the Vikings lead 21-10. The Colts may have a timeout and a two-minute warning, but they need two points, and Joe Flacco has a passer rating of 58.1 in this game.

    • The Vikings are about to spoil it

      Aaron Jones caught a big 1st down on a 3rd and inches to put the ball deep in the Colts redzone. Kicker Will Reichard appeared to be dealing with an issue with his kicking leg – he was seen with a bandage on it throughout the game and skated cautiously after a kickoff and an extra point. He missed two field goals in this game, and if Minnesota is able to score a touchdown and score on two possessions, that could be enough. The Colts have a timeout with 2:53 left in the game and the 2-minute warning is still in effect.

    • With just over 5 minutes left, the Vikings force a turnover on downs

      Minnesota's defense was brilliant. Yes, the Colts are starting a backup quarterback and haven't done much on the offensive side of the ball in recent weeks, but Indianapolis is 3-for-10 on third down and is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry in the run game.

    • The Colts are on 3rd and 1

      Jonathan Taylor brings the ball into Minnesota territory on a 3rd-and-1 as the clock ticks down to six minutes

    • Kwity Paye stopped a Vikings push with a big third down sack.

      With a third down pressure package, the Colts still hang on, and while the offense didn't do much, it only takes one drive to take the lead with under 10 minutes left.

    • Colts convert the pick into 3 points

      Matt Gay scores a 42-yard field goal to make the Vikings' score 14-10, but it was another drive where the Colts couldn't get a first down. Indy only has nine first downs in the game – the Vikings had 13 at halftime, but the Colts are still tied due to a cavalry of Minnesota errors, including three turnovers and two missed field goals

    • And just when it looked like Indy was out, Darnold gets tricked.

      This is the VERY next play after the Byron Murphy interception and Nick Cross has come up with a huge play for the Colts and they start at the 25 yard line in plus territory.

    • Vikings stop Colts' momentum with Murphy pick

      After a spectacular catch by rookie AD Mitchell on a 2nd-and-30 that put him on 3rd-and-8, Joe Flacco found Byron Murphy – the problem is that he's purple, not white and blue. First down Vikings after another bad mistake by the Indy offense.

    • After the Vikings' touchdown, the Colts are now on the move

      Josh Downs makes a big 3rd down catch to put Indianapolis into Minnesota territory.

    • Two drives in the second half. Two touchdowns in the second half. The Vikings lead 14-7

      Jalen Nailor's first catch of the game is a touchdown, and the Vikings now adjust the score to their statistical advantage. Sam Darnold is 26 of 30 for 255 yards and two touchdown passes.

    • The Vikings are now rolling with Justin Jefferson at the helm

      18 in purple is simply a monster on the field. Seven catches, 137 yards on this beauty.

    • Jordan Addison completes the drive for the Vikings

      Nine plays and 70 yards on this first scoring drive for the Minnesota Vikings, and Addison made a spectacular catch for his second touchdown of the year.

    • Minnesota advances to the 10

      Jordan Addison goes for first-and-goal as the Vikings try to avoid another Reichard field goal attempt.

    • Jefferson started the drive for Minnesota to open the second half

      They gained some yards tonight, but still need a spark – it must be nice to have that guy on the Vikings to help you get started when you need to get going.

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    Kathleen William
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