Vikings Beat Colts 16-10: Harrison Smith’s Late Pick Keeps Minnesota 6-0

Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts players during their Week 7 game at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Andy Kenutis / Minnesota Vikings

Summary

Minnesota rallied for a 16-10 win over Indianapolis on Oct. 25, improving to 6-0; the Colts fell to 2-5.
Kyler Murray’s five-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson gave the Vikings a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead.
Will Reichard’s 52-yard field goal made it 16-10, and Harrison Smith’s late interception ended the Colts’ final drive.
Smith’s interception was the 40th of his career; the Vikings defense held Indianapolis scoreless after halftime.

Vikings vs. Colts final score: Minnesota rallies late for 16-10 win

The Minnesota Vikings came from behind to beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25, staying unbeaten at 6-0. Indianapolis led 10-6 at halftime, but Minnesota’s defense shut the Colts out after the break while the Vikings scored all 10 of their second-half points in the fourth quarter. The Colts dropped to 2-5 after Harrison Smith intercepted Daniel Jones in the closing minutes to finish the comeback.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Jonathan Taylor opened the scoring with a 38-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Will Reichard’s 28- and 47-yard field goals brought Minnesota within one, but Spencer Shrader’s 43-yard kick as the first half expired sent Indianapolis into the break ahead 10-6. Neither team scored in the third quarter, leaving the Vikings to find a late answer against a Colts defense that had controlled much of the afternoon.^{[2] [3]}

Hockenson’s touchdown and Smith’s interception decide the finish

Kyler Murray supplied the breakthrough early in the fourth quarter, rolling left and connecting with T.J. Hockenson for a five-yard touchdown. Hockenson reached the ball across the pylon to put Minnesota ahead 13-10 with 14:36 remaining. Reichard later drilled a 52-yard field goal to stretch the lead to six, giving Indianapolis one more chance to answer with a touchdown.^{[1] [2] [3]}

The Colts moved into position for a final drive, but Smith read Jones’ pass and made the game-clinching interception near midfield. It was the 37-year-old safety’s 40th career pick, placing him among a small group of NFL players with at least 40 interceptions and 20 sacks. Minnesota’s defense also sacked Jones four times; the Smith interception was the game’s only turnover.^{[1] [2] [3]}

A defensive win keeps Minnesota perfect; both teams move on

The result fit Minnesota’s early-season pattern: the defense protected a narrow margin while the offense labored to find rhythm. Through three quarters, Minnesota had just 61 rushing yards on 20 attempts and had converted only two of its first eight third downs. Murray’s 35-yard scramble helped unlock the fourth-quarter scoring drive. He finished with 150 passing yards and the go-ahead touchdown, while Jordan Mason led the Vikings with 68 rushing yards. Taylor ran for 95 yards and a score for Indianapolis, but the Colts reached the red zone only once and could not turn their late possession into points.^{[2] [3] [4]}

The Vikings return to NFC North play next Sunday, Nov. 1, with a road game against the Detroit Lions. Indianapolis also travels on Nov. 1, facing the Jacksonville Jaguars. Minnesota can carry a 6-0 record into that divisional test; the Colts will try to stop their skid and regain ground in the AFC South.^{[5] [6]}

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