Indianapolis Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann suffered a concussion against the Houston Texans last week. The Colts ruled him out Friday, meaning Pitt’s rookie Matt Goncalves started against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. Minnesota’s offense lasted well into the second half, but their defense kept things close enough for the Vikings to win, 21-13.

The Minnesota defense relentlessly attacked Goncalves, generating pressure from the edges or from C goals. Jonathan Greenard FIRED Joe Flacco39, twice while lining up against Goncalves. Jihad Section also sacked Flacco, who was 16-for-27 for 179 yards and an interception. The Colts are done with them worst added expected points (EPA) per unit and had the second worst performance based on offensive success rate.

“I was proud of the way we responded (to adversity),” he said Kevin O’Connell. “(Our defense was) really the backbone tonight for us.”

Indianapolis led 7-0 at halftime after they recovered Sam Darnoldfinds himself for a touchdown and Will Reichard missed field goals of 51 and 31 yards on back-to-back drives to end the half. Reichard’s 51-yarder that sailed right was his first miss of the season, and the 31-yarder hit right. Darnold finished the play, but NBC cameras showed him wrapping his leg on 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 feeling a little tightness in his (thigh),” O’Connell said, “definitely something to monitor as we move forward.”

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

However, the Colts led 7-0 because they scored on a fumble that the refs initially flagged Grover Stewart for masking Darnold’s face. It’s the second straight week that an opponent masked Darnold on a crucial play and got away with it.

There was also an odd feeling at US Bank Stadium after Reichard missed two field goals after being perfect all year. The fans booed the Vikings off the field to end the half.

“I definitely felt like that energy was, I wouldn’t say dead, but it was down in the first half,” Jefferson said. “We didn’t finish drills, we didn’t give the defense just the ability to get comfortable with scoring offense.”

It took a spectacular throw by Darnold and a diving catch in the back of the end zone from Jordan Addison to break Minnesota’s offensive streak.

On first-and-goal from the four-yard line, Darnold threw off his back foot with the Indianapolis defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo following him behind. Addison made a one-handed catch with both arms outstretched to complete a nine-play, 70-yard drive to tie the game, 7-7.

“It was unbelievable for him to be able to get it the way he did and keep the ball off the ground,” Darnold said. “Just incredible body control by Jordan.”

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

The Vikings went on the next drive, but stopped Indianapolis on fourth-and-2 to turn it over on downs. Minnesota’s eight-play, 60-yard drive put the game away. The Colts got the ball back with 2:05 left in the game and could only muster a field goal.

Minnesota’s offense eventually won the game. However, the defense kept the game close until they got rolling. They continued to attack Flacco from the edges and were persistent enough to keep the score close and the Vikings snapped their two-game losing streak.