A solid defensive performance and some flashy receptions lifted the Minnesota Vikings to a 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts at US Bank Stadium on Sunday. The win ended Minnesota’s two-game losing streak that followed five straight Vikings wins.

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson was quarterback Sam Darnold’s favorite target with 137 yards on seven catches, most of which resulted in explosive play. Although he didn’t score a touchdown, Jefferson dazzled on the field by wearing some hefty diamond jewelry during the game and completed a 22-yard pass to Aaron Jones on a trick play.

Minnesota’s three TDs ended up in the hands of Jalen Nailor, Josh Oliver and Jordan Addison, who set up for a one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone.

Oh my… this angle of the Jordan Addison TD 🎥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0optsZlV8R

—NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024

Minnesota’s defense shut down the Colts’ ground game, limiting Jonathan Taylor to 48 yards and allowing just 227 total yards. Indianapolis’ only touchdown came on defense after Grover Stewart sacked Darnold early in the second quarter. Cornerback Kenny Moore II picked up the loose ball and ran 38 yards to the end zone.

Joe Flacco, who started after the Colts benched Anthony Richardson in the days leading up to the game, completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards and an interception.

Beating Jefferson remains a challenge

Sometimes a team’s best player is just too good, and that was the case with Jefferson on Sunday night. Usually it’s with him.

The Colts’ secondary is young and loaded with recent draftees like Samuel Womack III and Jaylon Jones. They exposed Jefferson admirably, but he exposed them several times. He crossed over the middle and jumped for catches, absorbing hits as he reeled them in. He sidestepped the cornerbacks from the line of scrimmage and shot down the sideline with ease. He sprinted to our routes and took catches on the sideline. And even when Darnold didn’t attempt it over the middle, the Colts’ cornerbacks played aggressively, getting flagged once for holding.

Justin. Jefferson. Good. Bee. Football.

📺: #INDvsMIN on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/45lcyDBb6c

—NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024

Jefferson’s running mate, Addison, has been quiet the past two weeks, and his finish line – five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown – doesn’t justify the performance. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer

The defense confuses Flacco

The Vikings defense suffocated Flacco all night. The performance was more like Minnesota’s first five games, when Brian Flores’ unit confused every quarterback he faced.

Flacco looked like he was affected by the Vikings’ pressure. Unlike last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Vikings returned to their all-up defensive formation, with linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Josh Metellus were placed at the line of scrimmage. Minnesota often fell out of formation, but Flacco and the Colts’ offensive line had to go through all their protection calls.

Importantly, the Vikings also kept Colts quiet all night. The lack of explosive runs continually put the Vikings in advantageous situations on late downs. — Lewis

The Colts offense is sputtering

Colts coach Shane Steichen repeatedly stated that Flacco gave his team “the best chance to win,” which is the main reason he benched Richardson. Indianapolis’ offense looked no different in Sunday’s loss.

The Colts struggled to generate explosive play and stay on the field as Flacco made his third start of the season. He is now 1-2 on the year. Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. picked off Flacco in the third quarter after he tried to force a throw to Josh Downs near the sideline.

After Flacco’s tough performance, Steichen will come under further scrutiny for putting the 39-year-old in the starting lineup ahead of 2023 No. 4 seed Richardson. According to Steichen, the whole point of the move was to win now, but if the Colts don’t win, the choice becomes increasingly difficult to justify. — James Boyd, Colts beat writer

Indy’s defense up and down

The Colts defense had takeaways with interceptions by Zaire Franklin and Nick Cross in the first and third quarters, but the Indianapolis offense was unable to capitalize and the defense eventually gave in after being on the field for nearly 40 minutes of a 60 minute match. .

With 2:49 left in the third quarter, Jefferson had outpaced the Colts’ own offense with 137 receiving yards compared to Indy’s 128 yards of total yards. Oliver delivered the final knockout with a 14-yard TD reception late in the fourth quarter. Minnesota totaled 415 yards on offense, marking the fourth time the Colts defense has surrendered more than 400 yards this season. — Boy

Required reading

(Photo: David Berding/Getty Images)