Darnold throws three touchdown passes in the second half as the Vikings overcome three turnovers to beat Flacco, Colts, 21-13

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wherever this strong start to the season leads the Minnesota Vikings, it's clear that faith and resilience will be responsible for a significant portion of their success.

Sam Darnold overcame four sacks and three turnovers by throwing three second-half touchdown passes, and Minnesota's defense made Indianapolis quarterback Joe Flacco's return to the starting role difficult as the Vikings beat the Colts 21-2 on Sunday night. 13 defeated.

“I'm sure Sam will be hard on himself with those two interceptions, but I'm going to stay aggressive with him because I have confidence in him,” Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said.

Justin Jefferson had 137 receiving yards, Jordan Addison made a one-handed jumping grab in the back corner of the end zone to get Minnesota on the field after a sloppy and scoreless first half, and Jalen Nailor had the game-winning touchdown reception to help the Vikings (6-2) stops a two-game deficit.

“The sales are nothing. These are just small mistakes that we can easily fix,” Jefferson said. “We just have to protect the ball and not try to make a big play. Sam is a phenomenal quarterback.”

Kenny Moore II had a 38-yard fumble return in the second quarter, the only touchdown for the Colts (4-5) in their first game all season not decided by six or fewer points.

“It definitely shows that if we could have let this one play or this one play, things could be different,” wide receiver Alec Pierce said.

Flacco replaced Anthony Richardson, with the fourth-overall 2023 NFL draft pick struggling heavily and becoming the self-made subject of a week of hot takes after missing a game last week due to fatigue.

The AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year winner last season with Cleveland, after getting off his couch to help the Browns into the playoffs, Flacco went 16 for 27 for 179 yards and an interception.

“It will be difficult to play a team like this here,” Flacco said, “but I don’t think you ever expect something like this.”

He brought the Colts to the Minnesota 40, trailing 14-10, midway through the fourth quarter, but Harrison Smith, recovering a Jonathan Taylor fumble on the opening drive, broke up consecutive passes to force a turnover on downs.

“Sometimes it can help you grow through certain situations. There’s no increase in comfort,” Smith said. “I think we have taken a step in the right direction.”

Darnold, who finished 28 of 34 for 290 yards, hit Josh Oliver for the game-winning score with 2:05 left.

“You definitely don’t think of it that way, but we’ve battled adversity all year long and we’re able to do that in the games,” Darnold said. “We have a really resilient group.”

A much less dramatic comeback

The Vikings set an NFL record two years ago by erasing a 33-0 halftime deficit to beat the Colts 39-36 in overtime. Their first half was eerily similar to this game. The practical difference was that they came within one touchdown after limiting the Colts to 92 yards rushing in 20 plays.

Will Reichard, who began his rookie season by hitting his first 34 shots, became the last starter in the league to miss, pulling a 53-yard field goal attempt to right. Then his 31-yarder bounced off the right post.

Darnold spoiled a promising first possession for the Vikings with a glancing throw across the body to TJ Hockenson in double coverage that was intercepted in the end zone by Zaire Franklin.

After Byron Murphy beat Flacco in the fourth quarter, Darnold gave it back on the next play when Nick Cross undercut an overzealous throw to Jefferson.

Trouble at the front

The Vikings welcomed back their two-time Pro Bowl tight end Hockenson, who returned from a knee injury that ended his 2023 season early. His third-down catch that would have moved the chains was negated by a holding penalty on left tackle Cam Robinson, who was hurriedly taken over for standout Christian Darrisaw this week after suffering a season-ending knee injury.

The Colts have a dangerous defensive line no matter who is blocking, and their pressure up the middle was a problem for Darnold. Grover Stewart overran center Garrett Bradbury on a dropback near midfield and displaced the ball as he slammed Darnold to the turf for Moore to scoop up for the score.

Stewart, whose forearm grazed Darnold's face mask so violently that he fell to the ground, was initially charged with the hit. The penalty was waved off.

Injuries

Colts: LT Bernhard Raimann (concussion) was sidelined and replaced by rookie Matt Goncalves.

Vikings: LB Blake Cashman (toe) was sidelined for the third straight game.

Next

Colts: Host Buffalo next Sunday.

Vikings: Visit Jacksonville next Sunday.

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