The Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings faced off in a highly anticipated “Sunday Night Football” matchup in Week 9 of the NFL season. Both teams came into the game with contrasting recent performances; the Vikings, despite a strong start with five consecutive wins, were looking to bounce back after two straight losses. In contrast, the Colts, who were sitting at .500, decided to shake things up by benching their young quarterback, Anthony Richardson, in favor of the veteran Joe Flacco.
Colts vs Vikings 2025
As the game unfolded, it became evident that the Colts’ defense was pivotal. Despite being outgained in total yardage, the Colts capitalized on key turnovers from the Vikings. A fumble recovery returned for a touchdown highlighted Indianapolis’s defensive prowess, giving them a narrow lead at halftime. With both teams eager to make their mark, the second half promised to be intense, as Minnesota sought to recover their earlier form while the Colts aimed to solidify their standing in the competitive AFC South.
Colts vs Vikings First Half Summary
| Summary | Details |
| Score | Colts 7, Vikings 0 |
| Turnovers | 2 turnovers for Vikings; 1 fumble returned for TD |
| Total Yards | Vikings: 194, Colts: 92 |
| Key Play | Kenny Moore II’s 38-yard fumble return for TD |
Colts vs Vikings Key Players
| Player Name | Team |
| Joe Flacco | Colts |
| Sam Darnold | Vikings |
| Kenny Moore II | Colts |
| Justin Jefferson | Vikings |
Colts vs Vikings Defensive Highlights
| Defense Play | Team |
| Fumble Recovery TD | Colts |
| Interception | Colts |
| Sacks | Colts (3) |
Special Teams Overview
| Special Teams Action | Team |
| Missed Field Goals | Vikings (2) |
| Missed Field Goals | Colts (1) |
Colts vs Vikings Offensive Stats
| Offensive Metric | Colts | Vikings |
| Total Yards | 92 | 194 |
| Passing Yards | Flacco (Yards) | Darnold (Yards) |
| Rushing Yards | Taylor (Yards) | Jones (Yards) |
Quarterback Comparison
| Quarterback | Team | Performance |
| Joe Flacco | Colts | 92 yards, 0 TDs |
| Sam Darnold | Vikings | 169 yards, 0 TDs |
Turnover Summary
| Turnover Type | Team | Player |
| Fumble | Colts | Kenny Moore II |
| Interception | Vikings | Zaire Franklin |
| Fumble | Vikings | Sam Darnold |
Colts vs Vikings Field Goal Attempts
| Attempt Location | Team | Result |
| 53 Yards | Vikings | Missed |
| 31 Yards | Vikings | Missed |
| 53 Yards | Colts | Missed |
Coaching Decisions
| Decision | Team | Outcome |
| Bench Anthony Richardson | Colts | Flacco starts |
| Offensive Strategy | Colts | Defense-focused |
Colts vs Vikings Historical Matchup
| Statistic | Value |
| All-Time Record | Colts 18-8-1 |
| Last Meeting | December 2022 |
Second Half Expectations
| Expectation | Team |
| Adjustments Needed | Vikings |
| Maintain Defense | Colts |
Colts vs Vikings Standings Update
| Team | Wins | Losses |
| Colts | 4 | 4 |
| Vikings | 5 | 2 |
Colts vs Vikings Weather Conditions
| Condition | Detail |
| Game Location | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| Weather | Indoors, rainy night |
Colts vs Vikings Game Predictions
| Analyst | Prediction |
| Lorenzo Reyes | Vikings 27-20 |
| Tyler Dragon | Vikings 28-20 |
| Richard Morin | Vikings 24-18 |
Colts vs Vikings Key Moments Recap
| Moment | Description |
| First Touchdown | Kenny Moore II fumble recovery for TD |
| Missed Field Goals | Will Reichard’s two misses |
| Defensive Interception | Zaire Franklin’s end zone interception |
Colts vs Vikings Summary
The Colts managed to lead at halftime despite being outplayed in yardage and first downs. Their defensive efforts, highlighted by a fumble return for a touchdown, kept them ahead. The Vikings, struggling with missed opportunities and turnovers, faced a challenge as they sought to regain their winning form in the second half. With adjustments necessary and both teams looking to capitalize on key moments, the second half promised to be a decisive battle for both squads.