Week 15 of the NFL season kicked off with a bang as Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings pulled off the largest comeback in NFL history, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 36-33 in overtime.
After trailing 33-0 at halftime, Minnesota scored 36 unanswered points, which included Greg Joseph‘s game-winning 40-yard field goal in overtime to seal the victory and clinch the NFC North in the process.
The action continues with two more must-see matchups as the Baltimore Ravens are currently taking on the Cleveland Browns, followed by the Miami Dolphins facing the Buffalo Bills to close out the night (8:15 p.m. ET).
Here are the top plays!
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Making history!
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker made his 355th career field goal, which makes him Baltimore’s all-time leader in field goals made.
FINAL: Minnesota Vikings 39, Indianapolis Colts 36
Jonathan Taylor injury
The Colts starting running back left the game in the first quarter. ESPN reported that he will not return due to an ankle injury.
Making a play
Indianapolis put a field goal on the board on the opening possession of the game. Then after forcing a three-and-out from Minnesota, the Colts blocked a punt and ran it in for a touchdown.
They do it again
The Vikings began their ensuing drive in auspicious fashion, as Dalvin Cook took off for a 40-yard run. However, Cook had the ball knocked out of his possession on the next play, and the Colts recovered it.
Seven plays later, quarterback Matt Ryan hit running back Deon Jackson for a goal-line score. The Colts took a 17-0 lead.
This isn’t going well
Down three scores in the first quarter, Minnesota chose to go for it on fourth-and-1 from its own 31-yard line. Cook was stuffed, and the Colts took over on downs. The Vikings held them to a field goal.
Another Vikings miscue
Minnesota went three-and-out but then attempted a fake punt. Punter Ryan White was unable to connect with wide receiver Jalen Nailor, though. The Vikings held the Colts to another field goal.
It just gets worse
The latest Minnesota woe came when quarterback Kirk Cousins was intercepted by safety Julian Blackmon, who ran the pick back for a touchdown. The Colts took a 30-0 lead with 5:50 remaining in the first half.
Indianapolis got another field goal before halftime, taking a 33-0 lead into the break.
Vikings strike
The Vikings finally got on the board on their second possession of the second half. Two plays after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, Cousins hit wide receiver K.J. Osborn for a 63-yard completion. Three plays later, Cousins and Osborn hooked up on a 2-yard touchdown pass. Minnesota trailed 33-7.
Down to three scores
After Indianapolis got its fifth field goal, Minnesota got its second touchdown. An eight-play drive ended with Vikings fullback C.J. Ham running in a goal-line score. The Vikings trailed 36-14.
No. 18 arrives
We’ve got a game.
The Colts went three-and-out, and the Vikings found the end zone shortly thereafter. A six-play drive, which was assisted by a personal foul on Colts defensive back Rodney Thomas II, saw Cousins hit Justin Jefferson for three completions, including an 8-yard touchdown. The score cut the Colts lead to 36-21.
One-score game!
Cousins had a deep ball intercepted by Thomas at the 2-yard line, but then the Colts failed to get a first down. On the fifth play of Minnesota’s next drive, Cousins hit wide receiver Adam Thielen for a goal-line score. The touchdown cut the deficit to eight points.
Vikings get a raw deal
Jackson fumbled on the first play of the Colts’ next drive, and Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan corralled the loose ball and ran it in for the TD. However, Jackson was initially ruled down. After Minnesota challenged the play, it was overturned and ruled a fumble, though, they took over at the spot of the fumble, which was the Indianapolis 38-yard line.
The Vikings then turned it over on downs.
TIE GAME!
Minnesota trailed 33-0 at halftime. With 2:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, they tied it up at 36 apiece.
The Vikings stood Ryan up on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1. On the first play of the next possession, Cousins hit Cook, who ran through the Colts defense for a 64-yard touchdown. Then Cousins hit tight end T.J. Hockenson for the two-point conversion.
The game went to overtime.
THEY DID IT!
Both teams punted on their first possession of overtime. Then, Minnesota got it done.
Cousins hit Osborn, Thielen and Jefferson for a trio of completions that combined for 51 yards, setting up a game-winning 40-yard field goal for Greg Joseph as time expired.
COMING UP:
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
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