Vikings Attacked the Old Man through Gap C

Indianapolis Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann suffered There was a shakeup last week against the Houston Texans. The Colts cut him on Friday, meaning Pitt’s rookie Matt Goncalves He started Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings. It took until the second half for Minnesota’s offense to get going, but their defense kept it close enough for the Vikings to win 21-13.

The Minnesota defense attacked Goncalves relentlessly, creating pressure from the perimeter or from behind. C spaces. Jonathan Greenard was fired Joe Flacco39, twice while lining up against Goncalves. Jihad Ward He also sacked Flacco, who was 16-for-27 for 179 yards and one interception. Colts finished the worst expected points added (EPA) had the second worst performance per ride attack success rate.

“I was proud of our response (to the challenges),” he said Kevin O’Connell. “(Our defense) was really the backbone for us tonight.”

Indianapolis recovered to take a 7-0 lead at halftime Sam Darnoldfumbled for a touchdown and Will Reichard He missed field goals of 51 and 31 yards on back-to-back drives to end the half. Reichard’s 51-yarder to the right was his first miss of the season, and the 31-yarder hit the upright to the right. Darnold finished the play, but NBC cameras showed him wrapping his leg around the sideline.

“At some point in the first half, I don’t know if it was a field goal attempt or a kickoff, but he started to feel some tightness in his hip,” O’Connell said, “it’s definitely something to watch as we move forward.”

Minnesota’s 7-0 deficit was nothing compared to what came before. 33 point comeback when these teams met two years ago. However, it felt bigger than a touchdown. The Vikings led Indianapolis in time of possession (20:01 to 9:59), had more first downs (five to 13) and net yards (194 to 92).

Still, the Colts took a 7-0 lead because they scored on a fumble that the referees initially flagged Curly Stewart Because he masked Darnold’s face. This is the second week in a row that the opponent put a mask on Darnold on a crucial play and got away with it.

There was also an eerie feeling at US Bank Stadium after Reichard missed two goals after being excellent all year. Fans booed the Vikings off the field to end the half.

“I definitely felt like the energy was dead, I wouldn’t say it was dead, but it was low in the first half,” Jefferson said. “We couldn’t complete passes, we didn’t give the defense the ability to be comfortable scoring offensive goals.”

A spectacular throw from Darnold followed by a diving catch from the back of the end zone. Jordan Addison To break Minnesota’s offensive spell.

On first-and-goal from the four-yard line, Darnold threw the Indianapolis defense off its back foot Dayo Odeyingbo We were chasing him in the backfield. Addison made the one-handed catch with both arms extended to finish the nine-play, 70-yard drive and tie the game 7-7.

“For him to be able to catch it like that and keep the ball off the ground was incredible,” Darnold said. “Incredible body control from Jordan.”

Darnold was found Jalen Nailor Minnesota’s next drive would put the Vikings up 14-7. They looked like they were about to throw the game away. Byron Murphy He picked off Flacco early in the fourth quarter. However, Darnold made an interception on the next play and the Colts converted a 42-yard field goal to make the score 14-10.

The Vikings punted on their next drive but turned them back by stopping Indianapolis on fourth-and-2. Minnesota’s eight-play, 60-yard drive delayed the game. The Colts got the ball back with 2:05 left in the game and were only able to make a field goal.

Minnesota’s offense ultimately won the game. But the defense kept the game close until things turned around. They continued to attack Flacco from the perimeter and were persistent enough to keep the score close and the Vikings ended their two-game losing streak.