Darnold throws 3 TD passes in 2nd half as Vikings overcome 3 turnovers to beat Flacco, Colts 21-13

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wherever this strong start to the season winds up leading the Minnesota Vikings, it's clear that belief and resilience will be responsible for a significant measure of their success.

Sam Darnold overcame four sacks and three turnovers by throwing three second-half touchdown passes, and the Minnesota defense made Indianapolis quarterback Joe Flacco's return to the starting role a rough one as the Vikings beat the Colts 21-13 on Sunday night.

“I’m sure Sam will be hard on himself for those two interceptions, but I’m going to stay aggressive with him because of my confidence in him," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said.

Justin Jefferson had 137 receiving yards, Jordan Addison made a one-handed diving grab in the back corner of the end zone to get Minnesota on the board after a sloppy and scoreless first half, and Jalen Nailor had the tiebreaking touchdown reception to help the Vikings (6-2) stop a two-game skid.

“The turnovers are nothing. Those are just little minor errors that we can fix easily,” Jefferson said. “We've just got to protect the ball, just not try to make that big play. Sam is a phenomenal quarterback.”

Kenny Moore II had a 38-yard fumble return in the second quarter, the only touchdown for the Colts (4-5) in their first game all season that wasn't decided by six points or fewer.

“It definitely shows that if we could have made this one play here or this one play here, things could be different,” wide receiver Alec Pierce said.

Flacco replaced Anthony Richardson, with the 2023 fourth overall NFL draft pick struggling badly and becoming the self-created subject of a week of hot takes after taking himself out for a play last week because he was tired.

The AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award winner with Cleveland last season after he came off his couch to help the Browns make the playoffs, Flacco went 16 for 27 for 179 yards and one interception.

“Coming in here against a team like this is going to be difficult," Flacco said, "but I don’t think you ever anticipate something like that.”

He moved the Colts to the Minnesota 40 midway through the fourth quarter facing a 14-10 deficit, but Harrison Smith, who recovered an opening-drive fumble by Jonathan Taylor, broke up consecutive passes to force a turnover on downs.

“Sometimes going through certain situations can help you grow. There's no growth in comfort,” Smith said. “I think we took a step in the right direction.”

Darnold, who finished 28 for 34 for 290 yards, hit Josh Oliver for the game-sealing score with 2:05 left.

“That's not how you draw it up, for sure, but we've battled through adversity throughout this year and we do it in games as well,” Darnold said. “We've got a really resilient group.”

The Vikings set an NFL record two years ago by rallying from a 33-0 halftime deficit to beat the Colts 39-36 in overtime, and their first half was eerily similar to that game. The convenient difference was they only trailed by a touchdown, after limiting the Colts to 92 yards on 20 plays.

Will Reichard, who started his rookie season by making his first 34 kicks, became the last regular in the league to miss by pulling a 53-yard field goal try right. Then his 31-yarder bounced off the right upright.

Darnold spoiled a promising first possession for the Vikings with an on-the-run, across-his-body throw to T.J. Hockenson in double coverage that was intercepted in the end zone by Zaire Franklin.

After Byron Murphy picked off Flacco in the fourth quarter, Darnold gave it right back on the next play when Nick Cross undercut an overeager throw to Jefferson.

The Vikings welcomed their two-time Pro Bowl tight end Hockenson back from the knee injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely. His third-down catch that would've moved the chains was erased by a holding penalty on left tackle Cam Robinson, who was hastily acquired this week after a season-ending knee injury to standout Christian Darrisaw.

The Colts have a dangerous defensive line, no matter who's blocking, and their pressure up the middle was a problem for Darnold. Grover Stewart steamrolled center Garrett Bradbury on a dropback near midfield and dislodged the ball as he slammed Darnold to the turf for Moore to scoop up for the score.

Stewart, whose forearm grazed Darnold's facemask with so much force that it knocked him down, was initially flagged for the hit. The penalty was waved off.

Colts: LT Bernhard Raimann (concussion) was held out and replaced by rookie Matt Goncalves.

Vikings: LB Blake Cashman (toe) was sidelined for the third straight game.

Colts: Host Buffalo next Sunday.

Vikings: Visit Jacksonville next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) and safety Harrison Smith (22) break up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates after catching a pass for a first down during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson (83) catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) walks off the field after throwing an incomplete pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass in front of Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold fumbles as he is tackled by Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass over Indianapolis Colts cornerback Samuel Womack III (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Ticketed fans in Georgia and Notre Dame gear packed a plaza adjacent to the Superdome, enjoyed music under clear skies — and under the watch of snipers on rooftops — before filtering into the stadium for Thursday afternoon's College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl.

“It was a lot of fun. It felt safe, “said Shannon Horsey, a Georgia fan in her 40s who lives in Austin, Texas. ”Coming in they searched by bag thoroughly. So I felt like, OK, they're really paying attention."

She was in New Orleans with her husband, Joe, a 48-year-old Georgia graduate, and their teenage children, Jack and Zoe.

They extended their stay after the game, originally scheduled for Wednesday night, was postponed because of an attack in which a man drove a pickup truck into crowds in the French Quarter, killing 14 New Year’s revelers before police killed the attacker in a shootout. Dozens more were injured.

“We can see the presence up on the rooftop," Horsey said, pointing at a sniper above Champions Square. "So, I kind of felt like this is probably one of the safest places to be in the city.”

Joe Horsey found the pregame crowd larger than he expected but, also found the "energy lower than a normal football game.”

“You could sense the musicians trying to get people riled up. People are kind of going through the paces, a little bit in shock, but trying to make the best out of the day,” he said.

It also seemed to Horsey that opposing fans were being a little more polite to one another than at a typical game.

“SEC football can get nasty on game day and can get a little raucous," he said. "But there's a little different sense of civility and that there's bigger things than football.”

Flags were at half-staff outside nearby government buildings in memory of those killed in the attack, which has been labeled by authorities an act of terrorism.

The attack occurred on Bourbon Street, which runs through the heart of the French Quarter and is famously lined with bars, restaurants and clubs, near the corner of Canal Street, a main downtown artery.

The crime scene, which was gradually being cleared so it could be reopened to the public on Thursday afternoon, is about a mile’s walk from the Superdome.

Security was ramped up in and around the stadium.

Police blocked regular traffic from passing by the main Superdome entrance on Poydras Street, an eight-lane downtown artery.

A helicopter circled overhead.

Numerous security officers around the 70,000-seat stadium were handling dogs trained to sniff for explosive devices. They encircled cars entering the Superdome parking garage and in some cases sniffed bags and backpacks.

The game, originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. CST on Wednesday, was pushed back to 3 p.m. Thursday, with the winner advancing to the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl against Fiesta Bowl winner Penn State. It was the first time the Sugar Bowl had been postponed in its 91-year history (although it had been relocated at the end of the 2005 season because of Hurricane Katrina).

Mark Oldani, a 58-year-old Nashville resident and 1988 graduate of Notre Dame, took a group photo for a gathering of Georgia fans in from of the Superdome.

The crowd was “friendly, nobody yelling back and forth at each other,” he said. “I think everybody's coming in hoping for a good game and wanting to make the most of a really difficult situation.”

Before the singing of the national anthem, a moment of silence, lasting close to half a minute, was held.

While many traveling fans extended their stay to attend the game, the postponement meant some would not be able to attend because of travel plans that were deemed too expensive or logistically difficult to change.

Numerous tickets were listed for resale online at prices of $30 or less, some as low as $23.

Postponing the game “was absolutely the right call,” said Lisa Borrelli, a 34-year-old Philadelphia resident who came to New Orleans with her fiancé, a 2011 Notre Dame graduate, but could not stay for the game.

She said they paid more than $250 per ticket and weren't sure if they'd bother listing them for resale because prices were so low.

“Of course we’re disappointed to miss it and to lose so much money on it, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter,” Borrelli said. “We’re fortunate enough that we’ll be fine.”

The Superdome also is scheduled to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.

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Street view of Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

A state trooper stands by New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon streets, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

FBI personnel arrive at the Caesars Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Cory Hunter flips a coin on Bourbon Street, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Law enforcement gather in front of the Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tourist walk past temporary barriers on Bourbon Street, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Local SWAT teams patrol outside the Caesars Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Fans pass through security check points as they enter the Superdome fan zone ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Fans pass through security check points as they enter the Caesars Superdome fan zone ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Fans pass through security check points as they enter the Superdome fan zone ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Security with bomb sniffing dogs check vehicles as they enter the Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Local SWAT teams patrol outside the Caesars Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

An aerial overall exterior general view of Caesars Superdome, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

Security and bomb sniffing dogs check backpacks before entering the Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Security and bomb sniffing dogs check vehicles as they enter the Superdome parking garage ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Security with bomb sniffing dogs patrol the area around the Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Security and bomb sniffing dogs check vehicles as they enter the Superdome parking garage ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)