Daniel Jones, Spencer Shrader Doom Colts in Loss to Vikings

Sunday was a pivotal moment for the 2026 Indianapolis Colts: rise above adversity or add another chapter to the book.

After losses in the last two weeks got general manager Chris Ballard fired, the Colts steadily built and maintained a lead throughout the first three quarters on the road Sunday against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.

However, critical mistakes, including a pair of missed field goals and an interception in the final 18 minutes, caused the Colts to slip and never regain control.

Ultimately, the Colts lost 16-10, falling to 2-5 on the season.

The Colts' special teams coverage units continued their uncharacteristic struggles, allowing a 46-yard kickoff return by Vikings specialist Myles Price on the opening kick. The Colts' defense was able to capitalize against a struggling Vikings offense, forcing a turnover on downs after four plays on the Indy 39-yard line.

The Colts' first offensive drive didn't get off to a great start, as throwing an incompletion on first down and then running on second down set them up with 3rd-and-11. However, they got a 13-yard connection from Daniel Jones to Keenan Allen on the play to extend the drive. It ultimately was finished off with a 38-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor; his longest run since midseason of last year. Spencer Shrader's extra point gave the Colts a 7-0 lead with 9:13 remaining in the first quarter.

After a quick 11-yard completion from Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray to receiver Jordan Addison on first down, the Vikings crumbled on their next drive, going four-and-out with a punt. Returner Josh Downs fair-caught the ball at Indy' 11-yard line.

The Colts then responded with a three-and-out.

The Minnesota offense finally found some rhythm, stringing together a 15-play, 53-yard drive with a pair of third-down catches from Justin Jefferson to get a 28-yard field goal from Will Reichard to cut the lead to 7-3 with 14:52 left in the first half.

The Colts' offense were forced to punt again on their next drive after five plays. On the punt, the Colts' Cam Taylor-Britt dove for the ball as it rolled toward the end zone, slapping it out to Jonathan Owens, who downed the ball at the Minnesota 4-yard line.

Despite being backed up deep in their own territory, the Vikings dug out and got another field goal of 47 yards at the end of a 12-play, 67-yard drive. It cut the Colts' lead to 7-6 with 6:37 remaining in the first half.

The Colts played keep-away to end the half, conducting a 16-play drive that covered just 29 yards, but eating up the remaining time on the clock. They got a 43-yard field goal out of Shrader to extend the lead to 10-6 going into the halftime locker room.

The Colts' opening drive of the second half started out promising, with 16 yards on two Taylor carries, but then the Vikings' defense sensed a vulnerability. They attacked the Colts' backfield with blitzes consecutively, as Taylor's block attempts failed and Jones was sacked on first and second down, leading to a draw play on 3rd-and-33, followed by a punt.

The Colts' defense forced Minnesota into a three-and-out on the following drive, receiving the punt at their own 7-yard line.

Indianapolis began gashing Minnesota on the ground, getting 25 yards on carries from Seth McGowan and another 15 yards on screen passes to Taylor. Unfortunately, Shrader missed a 56-yard field goal attempt, wide left, his first field goal miss of the season. The score remain 10-6 with 2:15 left in the third quarter.

The Vikings struck quickly to start the fourth quarter, going 54 yards in just six plays, getting a five-yard touchdown strike from Murray to tight end T.J. Hockenson after Murray scrambled for 35 yards. It gave the Vikings their first lead of the game, 13-10, with 14:36 remaining.

The Colts were unable to respond effectively, punting after a five-play drive.

Minnesota was on the cusp of adding even more points after a 59-yard field goal attempt on 4th-and-12, but Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart got his hand up for the blocked kick. The score remained 13-10, Vikings, with 8:32 left.

The Colts responded to Minnesota's missed field goal with yet another of their own, this time from 48 yards. Shrader went from no field goals missed all year to two in one game.

The Vikings added one last field goal from Reichard from 52 yards to extend the lead to 16-10, giving the Colts one more opportunity to score a touchdown with 1:39 remaining.

Jones, as has become custom, gave the ball right back to the Vikings to end the game, throwing the ball directly to Vikings safety Harrison Smith.

The Colts are now 2-5.