After being down 33-0 at halftime, the Minnesota Vikings completed the largest comeback in NFL history, as they stormed back to pick up the 39-36 comeback victory in overtime over the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday. The improbable win moves the Vikings to 11-3 with a dominant hold over the NFC North while the Colts' loss moves them to 4-9-1 and one step closer to a nightmarish season finally concluding.
Offensive spotlight: Vikings receivers K.J. Osborn and Justin Jefferson helped fuel the team's second-half comeback, as both were able to eclipse 120 receiving yards in addition to hauling in a touchdown from double-digit targets on Saturday. Each receiver forced a missed tackle in addition to accumulating three explosive (15-plus yards) receptions in the process.
Defensive spotlight: Colts interior defender DeForest Buckner put together, arguably, his best performance of the season against Minnesota, especially as a pass-rusher. The former Oregon Duck finished with a sack and seven total pressures en route to a 75.0-plus pass-rushing grade on first review. Buckner's impact was limited to the passing game, either, as he also notched a tackle for loss against the run.
DeForest Buckner sacks Kirk Cousins and celebrates with a griddy. That's mean @DeForestBuckner ????#NFL #ForTheShoepic.twitter.com/uSJrc8A3HE
— TheColdWire.com (@thecoldwire) December 17, 2022
Rookie spotlight: Vikings rookie defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga had one of his better performances as a professional despite the loss, as he made a positive impact against the run for Minnesota's defense. The 320-plus-pounder finished with six tackles and five run stops while clogging interior running lanes when on the field.
Offensive line spotlight: Neither offensive line was able to put its stamp on Saturday's action. In fact, every single starting offensive lineman allowed at least one pressure on Saturday, which just illustrates the difficulties each unit had in pass protection.
Box Score
Passing
| Indianapolis Colts | ||||||
| Player | Fantasy | Comp/Att | Yds | YPA | TD | Int |
| Matt Ryan | 11.28 | 19 / 33 | 182 | 5.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | ||||||
| Player | Fantasy | Comp/Att | Yds | YPA | TD | Int |
| Kirk Cousins | 37.4 | 34 / 54 | 460 | 8.5 | 4 | 2 |
| Ryan Wright | 0 | 0 / 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing
| Indianapolis Colts | ||||||
| Player | Fantasy | Car | Yds | YPC | TD | Long |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | 19 | 2 | 30 | 15 | 0 | 19 |
| Deon Jackson | 11.6 | 13 | 55 | 4.2 | 0 | 16 |
| Matt Ryan | 11.28 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Zack Moss | 8.1 | 24 | 81 | 3.4 | 0 | 11 |
| Ashton Dulin | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Minnesota Vikings | ||||||
| Player | Fantasy | Car | Yds | YPC | TD | Long |
| Kirk Cousins | 37.4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dalvin Cook | 28 | 17 | 95 | 5.6 | 0 | 40 |
| C.J. Ham | 7.5 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 |
| Alexander Mattison | 0.1 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Jalen Reagor | -0.5 | 1 | -5 | -5 | 0 | -5 |
Receiving
| Indianapolis Colts | ||||||
| Player | Fantasy | Tgt | Rec | Yds | YPR | TD |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | 19 | 14 | 10 | 60 | 6 | 0 |
| Deon Jackson | 11.6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Zack Moss | 8.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kylen Granson | 5.4 | 2 | 2 | 34 | 17 | 0 |
| Ashton Dulin | 5 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 12.5 | 0 |
| Jelani Woods | 4.6 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| Parris Campbell | 3.3 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 0 |
| Jonathan Taylor | 2.3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| Mo Alie-Cox | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alec Pierce | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | ||||||
| Player | Fantasy | Tgt | Rec | Yds | YPR | TD |
| K.J. Osborn | 34.7 | 16 | 10 | 157 | 15.7 | 1 |
| Justin Jefferson | 33.3 | 16 | 12 | 123 | 10.2 | 1 |
| Dalvin Cook | 28 | 4 | 4 | 95 | 23.8 | 1 |
| Adam Thielen | 13.1 | 4 | 3 | 41 | 13.7 | 1 |
| T.J. Hockenson | 8.3 | 9 | 3 | 33 | 11 | 0 |
| C.J. Ham | 7.5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Johnny Mundt | 1.7 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| Jalen Nailor | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jalen Reagor | -0.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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