While the Minnesota Vikings were roasted for a first-half performance that saw them trail the Indianapolis Colts 33-0 at the break, they wound up getting the last laugh. The Vikings scored 36 points in the final two quarters to the Colts’ three, sending the game to overtime at 36-36. And while neither team was able to accomplish much in overtime, with Minnesota’s first drive and Indianapolis’ only drive both ending in punts, the Vikings were able to do enough to come out with a 36-33 win, creating the greatest comeback in NFL history in the process.
That win saw Minnesota complete the largest comeback in NFL history. The previous record was the Buffalo Bills‘ recovery from a 32-point deficit in the playoffs in 1993, led by previous backup quarterback Frank Reich (until recently, the Colts’ coach). The Vikings surpassed that Saturday, and they did so by going 60 yards on six plays inside the final two minutes, setting up a 40-yard game-winning field goal from Greg Joseph (seen at center above celebrating) as time expired:
THE VIKINGS COMPLETE THE LARGEST COMEBACK IN NFL HISTORY TO WIN THE NFC NORTH! pic.twitter.com/bYN7izeO4h
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 17, 2022
Here are a few highlights from the Vikings’ run to that point:
DALVIN COOK!
The Vikings' 2-point conversion was successful. After trailing 33-0 at halftime, Minnesota has tied the game 36-36! 🏈👀 pic.twitter.com/CJd7SVwILD
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 17, 2022
The Vikings are "only" down 15 now. Justin Jefferson is taking over.🏈👀 pic.twitter.com/6X304zhbHh
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 17, 2022
That marked quite a change from how the Vikings were booed off their own field at halftime:
33-0 Colts at halftime.
The 10-3 Vikings are booed off the field in front of their home fans in Minnesota.
"Fans not so joyous here at U.S. Bank Stadium."🏈 pic.twitter.com/QnGKs6MwrF
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 17, 2022
This also saw quite the win probability chart:
The Vikings were down 33-0 to the Colts. It's now tied 36-36.
The win probability chart for this game 😂 pic.twitter.com/IRwuqriKP6
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) December 17, 2022
On the day, Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins finished with 34 completions on 54 passing attempts (62.9 percent) for 460 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. And Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook rushed 17 times for 96 yards, an average of 5.6 yards per carry.
Meanwhile, for Indianapolis, quarterback Matt Ryan (who added to some unfortunate personal history with this loss) completed 19 of 33 attempts (57.6 percent) for 182 yards and a touchdown. And running back Zach Moss added 81 yards on 24 carries, an average of 3.4 yards per carry. Interim head coach Jeff Saturday had his team looking great in the first half, but not so great after that. And that led to the Vikings’ historic comeback.
[ESPN; photo from Matt Krohn/USA Today Sports]
About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.