Talk about one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history last weekend.
Indianapolis Colts looked like were pulling their trigger on their Round 15 win against Minnesota Vikings, but the visitors would make a comeback from a 33-point deficit to win in Over-Time.
An incredible 460 yards from Kirk Cousins, four touchdowns and a nail-biting field goal finish from Greg Joseph would take the Vikings from 7-36 to 39-36
A Night of Drama
The first half of the Colts vs Vikings game would see the hosts visibly dominate. Colts’ Chase Mclaughlin would deliver four Field Goals and three Extra Points during the First and Second Quarters, on top of Returns and Passes from the likes of Jojo Domann and Deon Jackson.
That would help the hosts control the game with a 33-point lead.
When the Third Quarter rolled round, something changed in the Vikings camp. The first signs of the comeback first appeared when Osborn scored a Touchdown Pass and Joseph an Extra Point.
Not allowing the Vikings to gain ground, McLaughlin would deliver a Field Goal just minutes following. That would be the last we’d hear of Colts in the Vikings danger zone.
Ham and Joseph would help the Vikings add 14 points to their scorecard before the Third Quarter would conclude.
The Fourth and Final
Now things get interesting. The powder on the Colts ambitions was soaked as the Vikings charge to victory was delivered by a defiant Kirk Cousins.
Two minutes into the quarter and Jefferson would deliver a much-needed boost of confidence with a Touchdown and a follow up Extra Point from Joseph. The process would repeat from Thielen’s Touchdown and Joseph’s Extra Point.
The crowd roared when a Third came from Cook and a Two-Point Conversion from Hockensen helped the Vikings hit 36 – 36. Not a nail was left unchipped as the game entered Over-Time.
It needed just a little something to get the Vikings over the line, just something to crush the Colts. It came.
With only 3 seconds remaining in Over-Time, all eyes were on the South African Place-Kicker. He delivered the kick from 40 yards which went left through the uprights.
Three points were added to Vikings and they roared through the US Bank Stadium, declaring themselves the winners.
History made
The 33 points that the Vikings trailed the Colts in Saturday’s game makes it the biggest recorded comeback of NFL history.
According to SportRadar, in 1,551 regular or playoff games since 1930, this is only the second loss in which a team with a 30+ point lead was beaten by their opponents.
The first time was when the Houston Oilers had a 32-point lead against the Buffalo Bills and went on to blow it. Buffalo took the game from under them with a final score of 41 – 38 in Over-Time.
Amazed by the result, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell would say, ‘We’re going to grind it out until they tell us there’s no more ball left to play.’
Where next?
Minnesota Vikings now sit 2nd of the National Football Conference, just under the Dallas Cowboys. Their next game is against the New York Giants on Christmas Eve.
Indianapolis Colts sit 14th in the American Football Conference with a 4 game loss streak. They next face Los Angeles Chargers on the 27th December.
