The Minnesota Vikings are again within the playoffs — clinching the NFC North division title in a historic trend on Saturday.
The Vikings stormed again from a 33-point halftime deficit to stun the Colts, 39-36, in time beyond regulation at a raucous U.S. Financial institution Stadium.
The 33-point comeback is the most important in NFL’s historical past.
Saturday’s stunning consequence seemed to be the furthest doable consequence after the primary 30 minutes. The Colts stormed out to a 33-Zero halftime lead on the energy of a blocked kick returned for a landing and a pick-six.
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However, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings mounted a livid rally over the ultimate two frames, punctuated by Dalvin Cook dinner’s 64-yard catch and run that pulled Minnesota inside two. Cousins then related with tight finish T.J. Hockenson on the two-point try to drive OT.
From there the Vikings and Colts traded punts earlier than Cousins drove Minnesota 55 yards on six performances to arrange Greg Joseph’s game-winning area purpose.
“We simply pulled off the largest comeback in NFL historical past, OK. I want a second,” Cousins informed NFL Community Insider Tom Pelissero after the sport. “How did we do it? Staff. It was an unsightly first half, however, we discovered a means. Complimentary soccer. Loads of phases, plenty of performances, plenty of performances I might like to have again within the second half, too, however, we’ll take it.”
Cousins added: “There was perception. (Cornerback) Patrick Peterson stated all we would have liked was 5 touchdowns. I believed he was being sarcastic. Clearly, there was some yelling. There was some frustration, however, that does not simply occur. Fundamental folks do not do this, what we simply did.”
This marks the Vikings’ first division title because of the 2017 season and their first playoff berth since 2019.
These playoff berths got here with Mike Zimmer as head coach, however, rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell has led a Vikings’ resurgence because the 11-Three squad has wrapped up a division crown with three video games nonetheless to play.
Getting into Week 15, the Vikings have been the NFC’s No. 2 seed. With a playoff berth and a house sport sewn up, they have an outdoor likelihood at shifting previous the No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles and locking up the convention’s solely bye. Extra realistically, Minnesota’s onus will likely be on holding down the second seed.
Regardless, the Vikings are NFC North champs and again within the playoffs after a two-season hiatus.