Despite enduring four sacks, Sam Darnold managed to throw three second-half touchdown passes to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a 21-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

The game marked a challenging return to the starting role for Colts quarterback Joe Flacco, who replaced second-year star Anthony Richardson but failed to drive his team to a touchdown. The latter was spotted yawning on the sidelines during Sunday’s game, a reaction which summed up a frustrating night for Indianapolis.

Justin Jefferson shone with 137 receiving yards, while Jordan Addison’s one-handed diving catch in the end zone broke the scoreless deadlock from the first half. Jalen Nailor’s tiebreaking touchdown reception helped the Vikings (6-2) halt their two-game losing streak.

Kenny Moore II scored the only touchdown for the Colts (4-5) with a 38-yard fumble return in the second quarter. This was the Colts’ first game of the season not decided by six points or fewer.

Flacco struggled throughout the game, completing 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards and one interception. Despite moving the Colts to the Minnesota 40 midway through the fourth quarter, consecutive pass breakups by Harrison Smith resulted in a turnover on downs.

Darnold, with a 28 for 34 completion for 290 yards, secured the game with a pass to Josh Oliver for the final score with just 2:05 remaining. The Vikings, who two years ago set an NFL record by coming back from a 33-0 halftime deficit to beat the Colts 39-36 in overtime, had a first half that was eerily similar to that game.

Joe Flacco struggled to show his best on Sunday

Joe Flacco struggled to show his best on Sunday ( 

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Getty Images)

However, they were only down by one touchdown this time, having held the Colts to just 92 yards on 20 plays. Will Reichard, who started his rookie season flawlessly with 34 successful kicks, became the last regular player in the league to miss a kick, pulling a 53-yard field goal attempt wide right.

His subsequent 31-yarder hit the right upright. Darnold’s promising first possession for the Vikings was spoiled when he threw an ill-advised pass to T.J. Hockenson in double coverage, which was intercepted in the end zone by Zaire Franklin.

After Byron Murphy intercepted Flacco in the fourth quarter, Darnold immediately gave it back when Nick Cross undercut an overeager throw to Jefferson. The Vikings welcomed back Hockenson from a knee injury that prematurely ended his 2023 season, and Darnold wasted no time targeting his long-haired and agile tight end.

However, a holding penalty on left tackle Cam Robinson, who was hastily acquired this week after a season-ending knee injury to standout Christian Darrisaw, negated Hockenson’s third-down catch that would’ve moved the chains.

The Colts’ formidable defensive line was a significant issue for Darnold, regardless of who was blocking. Grover Stewart bulldozed center Garrett Bradbury on a dropback near midfield, dislodging the ball and slamming Darnold to the ground, allowing Moore to scoop up for the score. Stewart’s forearm hit Darnold’s facemask with such force that it knocked him down, initially earning him a flag for the hit, which was later rescinded.

The Colts welcome the Buffalo Bills to Indianapolis next Sunday, while the Vikings travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars on the same day.