Indianapolis Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann suffered a concussion against the Houston Texans last week. The Colts ruled him out on Friday, meaning Pitt rookie Matt Goncalves started against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. Minnesota’s offense took until the second half to get going, but their defense kept things close enough for the Vikings to win, 21-13.
Minnesota’s defense relentlessly attacked Goncalves, generating pressure from the edges or the C gaps. Jonathan Greenard sacked Joe Flacco, 39, twice while lined up against Goncalves. Jihad Ward also sacked Flacco, who was 16 for 27 for 179 yards and an interception. The Colts finished with their worst expected points added (EPA) per drive and had their second-worst performance based on offensive success rate.
“I was proud of the way we responded (to adversity),” said Kevin O’Connell. “(Our defense was) really the backbone tonight for us.”
Indianapolis led 7-0 at halftime after they recovered Sam Darnold’s fumble for a touchdown, and Will Reichard missed 51- and 31-yard field goals on consecutive drives to end the half. Reichard’s 51-yard kick that sailed wide right was his first miss of the season, and the 31-yarder hit the right upright. Darnold finished the game, but the NBC cameras showed him wrapping his leg on the sideline.
“At some point in the first half, don’t know whether it was a field goal attempt or a kickoff, but he started to feel a little tightness in (his thigh),” said O’Connell, “definitely something to monitor as we move forward.”
Minnesota’s 7-0 deficit was nothing compared to its 33-point comeback when these teams met two years ago. However, it felt larger than a touchdown. The Vikings led Indianapolis in time of possession (20:01 to 9:59), had more first downs (13 to five), and net yards (194 to 92).
Still, the Colts led 7-0 because they scored on a fumble where the referees initially flagged Grover Stewart for facemasking Darnold. It’s the second consecutive week where an opponent facemasked Darnold on a crucial play and got away with it.
There also was an eerie feeling in U.S. Bank Stadium after Reichard missed two field goals after being perfect all year. The fans booed the Vikings off the field to end the half.
“I definitely felt like that energy was, I wouldn’t say dead, but it was low that first half,” said Jefferson. “We didn’t finish drives, didn’t give the defense just the ability to feel comfortable with the offense scoring out there.”
It took a spectacular throw from Darnold and a diving catch in the back of the end zone from Jordan Addison to break Minnesota’s offensive spell.
On first-and-goal from the four-yard line, Darnold threw off his back foot with Indianapolis defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo chasing him down in the backfield. Addison made a one-handed catch with both arms extended to cap off a nine-play, 70-yard drive to tie the game, 7-7.
“It was unbelievable for him to be able to snag that the way that he did and keep the ball away from the ground,” said Darnold. “Just unbelievable body control by Jordan.”
Darnold found Jalen Nailor on Minnesota’s next drive to put the Vikings up 14-7. They looked like they were about to put the game away when Byron Murphy picked Flacco early in the fourth quarter. However, Darnold threw an interception on the very next play, and the Colts converted a 42-yard field goal to make it 14-10.
The Vikings punted on their next drive but stopped Indianapolis on fourth-and-2 to turn them over on downs. Minnesota’s eight-play, 60-yard drive put the game away. The Colts got the ball back with 2:05 left in the game and could only muster a field goal.
Minnesota’s offense ultimately won the game. However, the defense kept the game close until they got rolling. They continued to attack Flacco from the edges and were persistent enough to keep the score close, and the Vikings snapped their two-game losing streak.
