Behind a bounce-back second half on offense, Minnesota beat Indianapolis on “Sunday Night Football” and ended a two-game losing streak.
Sam Darnold threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns and Minnesota (6-2) overcame three Darnold turnovers and two missed field goals to beat the Colts 21-13.
The Vikings entered Week 9 of the NFL season nearly desperate for a victory after having suffered three losses in only five days — losing games to the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams, as well as starting offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw to a knee injury. Minnesota traded for lineman Cam Robinson, who started against the Colts only three days after having gone through his first practice with the Vikings.
Held scoreless at halftime for the first time this season, the Vikings eventually took control by scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half and added another with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to pad their lead. Indianapolis kicked a late field goal but could not recover its onside kick in the final seconds.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson caught seven passes for 137 yards, his 32nd career 100-yard game.
The Colts (4-5) started 39-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco for the first time, having benched second-year first-round pick Anthony Richardson. Flacco threw for 179 yards with an interception to lead a one-sided offense, with Indianapolis managing a season-low 68 rushing yards.
CORRECTION (Nov. 4, 2024, 8:38 a.m.): An earlier version of this article misstated the final score. It was Vikings 21-13, not 21-14.
