Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats (Nov 3, 2024)
Minnesota defeated Indianapolis 21-13 on Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 3, 2024. The Vikings snapped a two-game losing streak in front of 66,954 fans. Sam Darnold threw three touchdown passes and Justin Jefferson caught seven passes for 137 yards as Minnesota controlled possession for nearly 37 minutes. Joe Flacco struggled in his first start for the Colts, completing just 59% of his passes while taking three sacks against Brian Flores’s aggressive defensive scheme.
Table of Contents
Game Leaders
| Category | Colts Stats | Vikings Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | Joe Flacco 16/27, 179 YDS, 1 INT | Sam Darnold 28/34, 290 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Jonathan Taylor 13 CAR, 48 YDS | Aaron Jones 21 CAR, 64 YDS |
| Receiving | Josh Downs 6 REC, 60 YDS | Justin Jefferson 7 REC, 137 YDS |
| Sacks | Grover Stewart 2.0 | Jonathan Greenard 2.0 |
| Tackles | E.J. Speed 12 (9 solo) | Ivan Pace Jr. 6 (3 solo) |
Quarterback Battle: Experience vs. Efficiency
Flacco replaced benched starter Anthony Richardson but couldn’t generate explosive plays under constant pressure. His longest completion went for just 22 yards, and he averaged 6.6 yards per attempt against Minnesota’s blitz-heavy scheme. Brian Flores dialed up pressure from multiple angles, forcing Flacco into quick throws and rushed decisions. The veteran took three sacks for 20 yards and threw a crucial fourth-quarter interception when Byron Murphy Jr. jumped his out route to Josh Downs at Minnesota’s 35-yard line. The 39-year-old connected on just one pass to his highest-paid receiver and failed to complete any attempt beyond 20 yards.
Darnold completed 82% of his passes despite four sacks and three turnovers. He overcame a disastrous first half that included a fumble returned for a touchdown and an end-zone interception. After halftime, he threw touchdown passes on Minnesota’s first two drives to seize control. His 41-yard completion to Jefferson on third-and-two proved to be the game’s most critical play. Justin Jefferson added 22 passing yards on a trick play completion to Aaron Jones in the second quarter.
Passing Statistics
Indianapolis Colts
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Flacco | 16/27 | 179 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 63.7 |
Minnesota Vikings
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Darnold | 28/34 | 290 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 107.1 |
| Justin Jefferson | 1/1 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 118.8 |
Ground Game: Control and Consequences
Aaron Jones carried the ball 21 times to control the clock and wear down Indianapolis’s defense. Cam Akers provided a spark off the bench with 46 yards on just six attempts, a 7.7-yard average. The Vikings rushed for 133 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per attempt. They won the time-of-possession battle by more than 13 minutes. Minnesota’s balanced attack kept Indianapolis guessing. The Vikings mixed runs between the tackles with outside zones, which forced the Colts to defend the entire field.
Jonathan Taylor faced a stacked box all night. Harrison Phillips and Jerry Tillery repeatedly stopped him at the line, limiting the Pro Bowl running back to 3.7 yards per carry. Indianapolis managed only 68 rushing yards as a team. Minnesota’s defensive front sold out to stop Taylor and forced the Colts into obvious passing situations where Flacco’s limitations became even more apparent. For comprehensive rushing statistics and performance analysis across all games this season, Match Player Stats provides detailed breakdowns of individual player performances.
Rushing Statistics
Indianapolis Colts
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Taylor | 13 | 48 | 3.7 | 13 | 0 |
| Ashton Dulin | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 12 | 0 |
| Trey Sermon | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 4 | 0 |
| Joe Flacco | 2 | -1 | -0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Team Total | 19 | 68 | 3.6 | 13 | 0 |
Minnesota Vikings
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Jones | 21 | 64 | 3.0 | 13 | 0 |
| Cam Akers | 6 | 46 | 7.7 | 13 | 0 |
| Sam Darnold | 4 | 14 | 3.5 | 11 | 0 |
| Jordan Addison | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Team Total | 32 | 133 | 4.2 | 13 | 0 |
Jefferson’s Big Night
The All-Pro receiver torched Indianapolis’s secondary for 137 yards on seven receptions. The performance moved him into a tie with Adam Thielen for fourth place on the Vikings’ all-time receiving list at 6,682 yards. Jefferson now has at least one reception of 25 or more yards in eight consecutive games, tying Isaac Bruce in 2000 for the second-longest streak since 1994.
Receiving Statistics
Indianapolis Colts
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Downs | 9 | 6 | 60 | 10.0 | 16 | 0 |
| Alec Pierce | 3 | 3 | 41 | 13.7 | 16 | 0 |
| Adonai Mitchell | 1 | 1 | 22 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 |
| Kylen Granson | 1 | 1 | 22 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | 4 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 14 | 0 |
| Jonathan Taylor | 5 | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 11 | 0 |
| Trey Sermon | 2 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 |
Josh Downs had six catches for 60 yards to pace the Colts, but Michael Pittman Jr. disappeared. The receiver who signed a three-year, $70 million contract in the offseason caught just one pass on four targets. He has just 30 receptions for 366 yards through nine games, while the third-round pick has emerged as Indianapolis’s most productive receiver.
Minnesota Vikings
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Avg | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson | 9 | 7 | 137 | 19.6 | 41 | 0 |
| Josh Oliver | 5 | 5 | 58 | 11.6 | 14 | 1 |
| Jordan Addison | 5 | 5 | 42 | 8.4 | 21 | 1 |
| T.J. Hockenson | 4 | 3 | 27 | 9.0 | 19 | 0 |
| Aaron Jones | 4 | 4 | 18 | 4.5 | 22 | 0 |
| Jalen Nailor | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 1 |
Josh Oliver caught five passes for 58 yards while scoring the game-sealing touchdown with 2:05 remaining. Both figures were career highs. Jordan Addison made five catches including a spectacular one-handed diving grab in the back corner of the end zone. T.J. Hockenson returned from a torn ACL that ended his 2023 season, catching three passes for 27 yards in his first game action since December 24, 2023.
Defense Rises to the Occasion
Minnesota’s defense answered questions after allowing 30-plus points in consecutive losses to Detroit and Los Angeles. The Vikings held Indianapolis to just 227 total yards and forced two turnovers while limiting the Colts to 3-of-11 on third-down conversions. The ability to get pressure without blitzing kept Flacco uncomfortable all night. Jonathan Greenard and Jihad Ward combined for three sacks without Minnesota needing to send extra rushers, allowing the secondary to play tight coverage on Indianapolis’s limited receiving weapons.
Harrison Smith recovered a fumbled handoff exchange on Indianapolis’s opening possession and broke up consecutive passes late in the fourth quarter to force a turnover on downs. Byron Murphy Jr. grabbed his second interception in as many games when he jumped Flacco’s throw to Josh Downs. Greenard had two fourth-quarter sacks, which extended his streak to eight consecutive games with five or more pressures. He led the NFL with 48 total pressures through nine weeks.
Defensive Statistics
Indianapolis Colts Defense
| Player | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E.J. Speed | 12 | 9 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Cross | 10 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Zaire Franklin | 9 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Julian Blackmon | 7 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaylon Jones | 7 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenny Moore II | 6 | 6 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DeForest Buckner | 6 | 4 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grover Stewart | 4 | 2 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
E.J. Speed had a team-high 12 tackles and played sideline to sideline throughout the contest. Zaire Franklin’s end-zone interception in the first quarter saved four points and kept Indianapolis within striking distance. Grover Stewart dominated in the second quarter when he exploded past Garrett Bradbury at the snap and jarred the ball from Darnold’s hands. Kenny Moore scooped up the fumble and returned it 38 yards for the game’s only defensive touchdown.
Minnesota Vikings Defense
| Player | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | PD | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivan Pace Jr. | 6 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Metellus | 5 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harrison Phillips | 5 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Camryn Bynum | 5 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Byron Murphy Jr. | 4 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Harrison Smith | 4 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jonathan Greenard | 2 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jihad Ward | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Special Teams
Will Reichard entered the game having made all 14 field-goal attempts and all 20 extra points in his rookie season. He missed from 53 yards wide right with 5:46 remaining in the first half, then hit the right upright from 31 yards with 13 seconds left before halftime. He recovered to make all three extra points in the second half. Matt Gay connected from 42 and 54 yards but missed a 53-yarder in the second quarter.
Kicking Statistics
| Team | Kicker | FG | Long | XP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | Matt Gay | 2/3 | 54 | 1/1 | 7 |
| Vikings | Will Reichard | 0/2 | 0 | 3/3 | 3 |
Punting Statistics
| Team | Punter | Punts | Yards | Avg | Long | Inside 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | Rigoberto Sanchez | 3 | 148 | 49.3 | 54 | 0 |
| Vikings | Ryan Wright | 2 | 83 | 41.5 | 44 | 0 |
Team Statistics
| Category | Colts | Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 13 | 29 |
| Total Yards | 227 | 415 |
| Passing Yards | 159 | 282 |
| Rushing Yards | 68 | 133 |
| Third Down | 3/11 (27%) | 6/12 (50%) |
| Fourth Down | 1/2 | 1/1 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Penalties | 7-50 | 3-41 |
| Possession | 23:06 | 36:54 |
Minnesota nearly doubled Indianapolis in first downs (29 to 13) and total yards (415 to 227). The Vikings converted third downs at nearly double the rate of the Colts despite committing one more turnover. Time of possession proved decisive, with Minnesota controlling the ball for more than 13 additional minutes.
Game Flow
Harrison Smith pounced on a fumbled handoff exchange between Flacco and Taylor on Indianapolis’s opening possession. Minnesota couldn’t capitalize, as Zaire Franklin intercepted Darnold’s throw into double coverage in the end zone on the Vikings’ first drive.
The game shifted dramatically in the second quarter. Grover Stewart exploded past Garrett Bradbury at the snap, hitting Darnold and jarring the ball loose in one violent motion. Kenny Moore scooped up the fumble and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown, giving the Colts a 7-0 lead with 10:56 left in the half.
Both kickers struggled before halftime. Reichard missed from 53 yards, then clanged a 31-yarder off the right upright with 13 seconds remaining. Gay also missed from 53 yards as both teams went scoreless for the final 40 minutes of the first half.
Minnesota scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the third quarter. Darnold found Addison for a four-yard score on a diving, one-handed catch in the back corner of the end zone to tie the game at seven. The Vikings took the lead on their next drive when Darnold hit Nailor from seven yards out. Jefferson’s 41-yard reception against Samuel Womack on third-and-two set up the go-ahead score.
The fourth quarter featured consecutive interceptions. Murphy jumped Flacco’s throw to Downs at Minnesota’s 23-yard line. On the very next play, Nick Cross undercut Darnold’s pass to Jefferson and returned the interception 20 yards to the Vikings’ 25. The Colts managed just two yards on four plays and settled for a 42-yard field goal from Gay, cutting the deficit to 14-10 with 12:41 remaining.
Indianapolis drove to Minnesota’s 40-yard line facing fourth-and-two. Flacco threw incomplete to Michael Pittman Jr. on third down, then Harrison Smith broke up the fourth-down pass to Ashton Dulin to force a turnover on downs.
Josh Oliver’s 14-yard touchdown reception with 2:05 left sealed the victory. Darnold bootlegged left, and Oliver got behind the Indianapolis secondary for an easy score. Greenard sacked Flacco twice on the Colts’ final possession. Gay connected from 54 yards with 28 seconds remaining, but Justin Jefferson recovered the onside kick attempt to end the game.
Why Minnesota Won
Kevin O’Connell’s offense imposed its will through a balanced attack. The Vikings rushed 32 times and passed 35 times. Indianapolis’s defense couldn’t predict the play calls. Minnesota converted six of 12 third downs with a mix of quick passes to Jefferson and runs from Jones and Akers. The offensive line protected Darnold well enough that he completed 82% of his passes despite four sacks. Brian Flores’s defensive scheme completely neutralized Indianapolis’s rushing attack. The Vikings stacked the box against Taylor, which forced Flacco to beat them through the air. The 39-year-old quarterback couldn’t execute, going 0-for-3 on passes beyond 20 yards and failing to connect with his highest-paid receiver.
The Colts’ decision to bench Anthony Richardson backfired. Flacco brought experience and better decision-making but lacked the mobility and dual-threat capability that made Richardson dangerous. The offense became one-dimensional without Richardson’s rushing threat, and Minnesota’s defense could pin its ears back and rush the passer on obvious throwing downs.
According to Pro Football Reference’s advanced metrics, Minnesota finished with plus-8.00 expected points added compared to Indianapolis’s minus-8.00, reflecting the Vikings’ dominance in every phase.
Playoff Implications
Minnesota showed they can win without elite quarterback play. They relied instead on a balanced offense and opportunistic defense. This resilience becomes crucial in playoff scenarios where complementary football often trumps individual statistics. The Vikings moved to 6-2 and remained one game behind Detroit in the NFC North race. Their ability to overcome three turnovers demonstrated the depth Kevin O’Connell has built.
Indianapolis faces a critical quarterback decision. Richardson’s upside might be necessary to reach the playoffs, but Flacco’s experience could be the safer choice for close games. At 4-5, the Colts’ margin for error has vanished. The playoff hopes aren’t dead, but every remaining game becomes crucial. The first team in NFL history to have their first eight games decided by six points or fewer now needs to find consistency to avoid a losing season.
Context and Season Impact
The loss dropped Indianapolis to 4-5, their first defeat by more than six points. Joe Flacco started in place of Anthony Richardson, who was benched after asking out of a play in Week 8 because he was tired. The decision sparked controversy throughout the week, with linebacker Zaire Franklin initially criticizing Richardson on his podcast before expressing support for the young quarterback’s future with the franchise. Sports Illustrated’s analysis noted that Flacco’s limitations became apparent against Minnesota’s aggressive defense.
The Vikings benefited from two key additions. Cam Robinson, acquired from Jacksonville days earlier, played all 73 snaps at left tackle in his debut and earned a game ball. T.J. Hockenson played 33 snaps in his first action since tearing his ACL on December 24, 2023. His presence in the middle of the field gave Darnold another reliable target and opened up opportunities for other receivers.
Jefferson’s performance was historic on multiple levels. His eight-game streak of 25-yard receptions trails only Jimmy Smith’s nine-game run in 2004. Jefferson led all NFL receivers with 783 yards through the first eight games of the 2024 season, averaging 19.6 yards per reception on his seven catches against Indianapolis.
For complete coverage, ESPN’s recap and box score provides additional game details. The official Vikings game observations offer perspective on key plays from the coaching staff’s viewpoint.
Final Takeaway
Minnesota can win multiple ways while Indianapolis cannot. The Vikings overcame three turnovers by controlling the clock, converting third downs, and getting clutch performances from their stars. Flacco’s limitations meant the Colts needed perfection from their defense and special teams. They got strong performances from Speed, Stewart, and Franklin, but the offense couldn’t capitalize. Indianapolis failed to reach the red zone on any of their 10 possessions and converted just 27% of third downs.
When Jefferson makes big catches, Jones controls the ground game, and the defense forces stops on critical downs, Minnesota has enough depth to overcome mistakes. The Colts need everything to go right just to stay competitive. That disparity will define both teams’ paths through the second half of the season.
Game played November 3, 2024 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Final score: Minnesota Vikings 21, Indianapolis Colts 13. Attendance: 66,954.
