INDIANAPOLIS–First Quarter Recap
The Vikings won the toss and chose to defer.
With solid pass pro, and quicker passing game, the Colts found points on the opening drive. Adam Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal gave the Colts a 3-0 lead with 9:01 to go in the first quarter.
An early three-and-out was forced by the Indy defense thanks to solid open field tackling from Darius Butler and T.J. Green. A 30-year punt return from rookie Chester Rogers gave the Colts the ball at their own 48-yard line to start their second drive.
More big third-down conversions helped the Colts get into the end zone. Those plays, plus a massive fourth-down penalty on the Vikings, allowed Robert Turbin to punch it in from a yard out. The lead was 10-0 in favor of the visitors at the 2:22 mark of the opening quarter.
The first quarter ended with the Colts defense getting another stop near midfield.
At the end of the first quarter, the Colts led the Vikings 10-0.Second Quarter Recap
The first punt of the game for the Colts came on their third drive. A false start penalty by Joe Haeg put the Colts behind the chains and led to the punt.
It was a very nice start to the game for Ted Monachino's defense. With field position flipped, the defense still produced a three-and-out.
The dominant time of possession for the Colts continued. A nine-play, 92-yard drive for the Colts saw Mo Alie-Cox make several big grabs. Swoope's 27-yard touchdown catch was the first of his career. The lead for the Colts was 17-0 midway through the second quarter.
After a quarter and a half of trudging, it finally looked like the Vikings were going to put up some points. But Mike Adams stripped Adrian Peterson in the red zone. The veteran safety recovered his own forced fumble to thwart any Minnesota scoring drive.
In easily the most impressive half of the season for the Colts, they put together another 90-yard touchdown drive. Robert Turbin broke several tackles on a six-yard scamper to push the lead to 24-0 in the half's final minute.
The Colts were not done.
A Mike Adams pick set up one more scoring opportunity. Adam Vinatieri's 50-yard field goal ended one of the finest halves of the season for any NFL team.
At halftime, the Colts led the Vikings 27-0.Third Quarter Recap
Minnesota had a very promising first drive of the second half, before a turnover once again ended things. A vintage Robert Mathis strip/sack was recovered by Henry Anderson, ending a Vikings drive into Colts territory.
The Colts punted to start their first drive of the second half.
It took a long time on Sunday, but the Vikings did eventually produce some points. Kai Forbath's 32-yard field goal with 3:52 left in the third quarter trimmed the Indy lead to 27-3.
The third quarter ended with the Colts pounding Frank Gore and eating up some clock.
At the end of the third quarter, the Colts led the Vikings 27-3.
Fourth Quarter Recap
Andrew Luck and Jacoby Brissett then ended things. The two hooked up for a 50-yard touchdown, making the score 34-3.
The third sack of the afternoon for the Colts stopped another Vikings touchdown drive. Kai Forbath knocked one home from 51 yards, bringing the score to 34-6 with 11:57 remaining.
With the Colts trying to milk the clock, Frank Gore reached the 100-yard mark for the second time this season.
Another stop by the defense allowed for the Colts to empty their bench. Andrew Luck finished the afternoon 21-of-28 for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
With neither team scoring the rest of the way, the final on Sunday was 34-6 in favor of the Colts.
The Colts (7-7), with their playoff hopes still alive, will now head to Oakland (10-3) for a Christmas Eve tilt next Saturday.
Colts Inactives
OG-Denzelle Good (concussion)
CB-Charles James
DT-Arthur Jones (groin)
WR-Donte Moncrief (hamstring)
OLB-Deiontrez Mount
OT-Joe Reitz (back)
S-Duke Williams
Colts Pre-Game Notes
- If the Colts are going to make the playoffs, they must make up two games on Houston (Jacksonville, Cincinnati, @Tennessee) and one on Tennessee (@Kansas City, Jacksonville, Houston) over the final three weeks of the season.
- The Colts are 2-1 against the NFC this season (Wins: Chicago, @Green Bay; Losses: Detroit).
- After Sunday, the Colts will have two more games left in 2016 (@Oakland, Jacksonville).
Weather Update
-Thankfully, new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota is enclosed. Outside, temperatures are in the negatives on this Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.
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