What an impressive, unnecessary comeback by Minnesota. The Minesota Vikings saved themselves from one of the most embarrassing losses in their history by pulling off the biggest comeback in NFL history with 39-36 win over Indy.
I’m really torn how to feel about this comeback win.
On the one hand, the Vikings had one of the best halves of football any NFL team has had this season as they outscored the Colts 33-3 to comeback from being down by 33 to force the game into OT, in which they went on to win on a last-second field goal from Greg Joseph.
This was a comeback win on par with the Minneapolis Miracle, though probably even a touch more dramatic given the standings and division title implications.
Like I said in the title, this win gave the Vikings their first NFC North title since 2017, while also signaling the end of the Rodgers-LaFleur Packers reign atop the NFC. It was a moment all Vikings fans will be able to cherish for a while as their Vikings ensured they will host a home playoff game for them.
But, on the other hand, this game proved that this Vikings team are nothing more than glorified pretenders for the Super Bowl. And I’m now positive they will struggle to get out of the Wild Card round if they have to face off against the Cowboys/Eagles, the Commanders, or the Seahawks given how badly they played in that first half against Indy.
Everything that could have possible of went wrong for the Vikings did go wrong in the opening 30 minutes of football.
Through some strange jolt of luck, the Indianapolis Colts players played the games of their lives as they had a blocked punt, a strip fumble and recovery on Dalvin Cook, a 4th down stop, a Pick 6 on Kirk Cousins, and somehow scored the most points (33) in a single half of a game than they have in every other game they played this season.
The Colts simply could do no wrong, while the defense, in particular, was sensational.
Easily having their best game of the season (well, maybe best half of the season), the Colts defense was the sole reason why this game was nearly the blowout it looked to be as they posted 84 tackles, 7 sacks, 8 TFL, 10 PD, 11 QB hits, 2 FUM REC, 2 INT, and 2 defensive TDs.
Guys like Bobby Okereke (12 tackles, 1 PD), Stephon Gilmore (7 tackles, 3 PD), Rodney Mcloud Jr. (7 tackles, 1 PD), Isaiah Rodgers Sr. (6 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FUM REC), and DeForest Buckner (3 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 PD, 3 QB hits) were superhuman (for a half) and were the sole reason why the Vikings didn’t win this game in regulation from their own offense’s ineptitude.
Alright, I’ve got to say it, this Indy offense is HORRIFIC. Matt Ryan is without a doubt washed up as he completed 19/33 passes for only 183 yards and 1 TD, though his biggest detriment is how often he allows himself to get sacked.
Yes, the Vikings defenders, such as Eric Kendricks (12 tackles, 1 sack, 4 TFL, 1 QB hit), Za’Darius Smith (5 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 QN hit), and Danielle Hunter (5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 4 QB hits), were getting after him like he was hoarding free tickets to Disneyworld as they racked up 3 sacks and 7 QB hits, but Ryan also was extremely hesitant to getting the ball out quickly.
There must have been at least four occasions, with one of them being on the Colts final drive of overtime, where Ryan strangely allowed himself to get overwhelmed by the Vikings pressure before heaving up a 50-50 ball that would either get knocked down or fall incomplete.
I don’t understand how a quarterback with so much experience, which includes an MVP win, multiple NFC South division titles, and a Super Bowl appearance, allows himself to get overwhelmed without any quick/hot routes to distribute the ball out. It happened on nearly EVERY SINGLE DRIVE in the 2nd half, which was a big reason why the Colts offense only had 170 passing yards.
Nevertheless, I can’t criticize the Colts without giving a lot of love to the Vikings defense as they became shutdown elite when the game mattered. After a really fluky 1st half that saw the Vikings fall behind by 33 points, despite only 14 points coming from the Vikings defensive mistakes, Minnesota’s D stepped up their game in the second half as they racked up 96 tackles and 6 TFL to stifle Zack Moss (24 CAR, 81 yards) and Deon Jackson (13 CAR, 55 yards) from literally rushing away a win for Indianapolis.
Plus, like I said, the defense was also ruthless in their blitzing schemes against Ryan and the Indianapolis passing game.
Still, the MVP of the day for the Vikings belonged two four members of their offense: Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and K.J. Osburn.
These four players had themselves a night as they all were instrumental in the Vikings miraculously 2nd half comeback. Though, if I had to pick one person who impressed me the most, it would have to be the least known star of the four: K.J. Osburn.
Having the best game of his young career (I’ve said that a lot for this game), the 3rd year pro had a season high 10 REC, 157 yards, and a TD to help Kirk Cousins (34/54, 460 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs) sling himself out of the hole he built with his numerous turnovers and Pick 6.
Obviously, Justin Jefferson (12 REC, 123 yards, 1 TD), who is now under 15 or so yards from breaking Randy Moss’ single-season Vikings receiving record (yeah, he’s been that good), was sensational as always, but Osburn’s production felt like it came out of nowhere.
So, with Adam Theilen (3 REC, 47 yards, 1 TD) slowly fading out of the offense and T.J. Hockenson (3 REC, 33 yards) failing to live up to expectations, perhaps Osburn can be that secondary receiving weapon that Cousins can use when teams double and triple team Jefferson.
Or, if this was just a one-off from Osburn, Cousins could always just hit up Dalvin Cook (17 CAR, 95 yards; 4 REC, 95 yards, 1 TD) as the running back had the best statistical night out of all the Vikings players with nearly 200 offensive scrimmage yards.
With all of that being said, I should congratulate the Vikings (11-4) on a fantastic season. It’s not every day that a team can come out of nowhere and break up a divisional dynasty, which the Green Bay Packers were with 3 straight title wins, but this Vikings team did. And that deserves to be applauded…even if it came in less than ideal circumstances.
As for the Colts (4-9-1), the sooner this season ends the better. Jeff Saturday has not been the miracle worker (or the horrific failure that so many people hoped) for this Colts team as not even Jesus Christ could raise this roster from the dead.
Aside from a few really good players, this is a bad team that desperately needs a rebuild. Immediately.
Images Source: Featured Image:
