Vikings - Colts

Well, that was something you don’t often see. 

About a month ago, the Minnesota Vikings pulled out a thrilling, come-from-behind win over the Buffalo Bills. The Vikings were done about a half dozen times until they won the game. Yesterday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts was even more impossible. Down 33-0 at the half, the Vikings won 39-36.

It was the greatest comeback in the history of the National Football League. With a miraculous second half, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC North title. 

NFC North Champions.

Like the Bills game, this insane game should be appreciated rather than dissected. The first half must be tossed. The second half must be treasured, enjoyed, and remembered. Always remembered. It was impossible. It was incredible. 

The Vikings needed five touchdowns. That was the halftime goal. They had to get five touchdowns. The Vikings got five second half touchdowns. And the game-winning field goal in overtime. 

When a team is down 33-0 at the half, the game is over. It should be over. Any huge comeback needs a defensive score, a special teams score, a recovered onside kick or two. At least, I always thought that. The Vikings got none of those. Actually, they did get a defensive score but the officials robbed them of that. Somehow, the Vikings scored five second half touchdowns while punting twice, throwing an interception, and turning the ball over on downs. How does a team score 36 second half points and still have four empty possessions? I watched it happen and I still have no idea. 

The Vikings touchdown drives:

7 plays, 88 yards

8 plays, 75 yards

6 plays, 61 yards

5 plays, 50 yards

1 play, 64 yards

The Vikings had one quick touchdown. Dalvin Cook took a screen pass on a thrilling, inspiring, 64-yard journey. The best starting position was midfield. The five drives averaged just under 68 yards. The Vikings were smart with time. At 3:40, the second touchdown drive was the most time consuming. Cook took 13 seconds to run, dodge, crash those 64 yards. The other three drives were in the two minute range. 

The Vikings didn’t do the usual things to overcome a 33-point deficit but they did what they had to do. They were resilient. They were smart. 

But, the Vikings have to stop doing the things that put them in that 33-point hole. It’s way too late in the season to be making so many crucial mistakes. Hey, maybe they got all those mistakes out of the way and they’ll play clean football through January and into February. Wouldn’t that be nice? 

Most of the attention for this insane comeback is on the five touchdowns scored in regulation and the game-winning field goal in overtime. The focus is always on the offense. This comeback does not happen if the Vikings defense hadn’t held the Colts to a single field goal in the second half and overtime. 

At halftime, Patrick Peterson told the offense, “get the five touchdowns, we’ll get the stops.” Offense, defense, and even special teams did what they had to do in the second half and overtime. 

This game was insane, incredible, impossible, and will be remembered.

The Minnesota Vikings are NFC North Champions! Now, they must make it mean something. 

SKOL!