Get to Know the Vikings Opponent: Week 15 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings did not clinch the NFC North title last weekend, losing to the Detroit Lions by a score of 34-23. After falling to 10-3, they now head back home to take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. Prior to Saturday’s game, get to know the Vikings opponent a little bit in this ongoing series.
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Recent Schedule
- Week 10 @ Las Vegas Raiders: Win, 25-20
- Week 11 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Loss, 16-17
- Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Loss, 17-24
- Week 13 @ Dallas Cowboys: Loss, 19-54
- Week 14 Bye
Stat Leaders
Passing
- Completions: Matt Ryan (290)
- Pass Attempts: Matt Ryan (428)
- Passing Yards: Matt Ryan (2875)
- Passing Touchdowns: Matt Ryan (13)
- Interceptions: Matt Ryan (13)
Rushing
- Rushes: Jonathan Taylor (192)
- Rushing Yards: Jonathan Taylor (861)
- Rushing Touchdowns: Jonathan Taylor (4)
Receiving
- Targets: Michael Pittman Jr. (107)
- Receptions: Michael Pittman Jr. (76)
- Receiving Yards: Michael Pittman Jr. (755)
- Receiving Touchdowns: Two Tied (3)
Defense
- Tackles: Zaire Franklin (131)
- Solo Tackles: Zaire Franklin (79)
- Tackles for Loss: Zaire Franklin (9)
- Sacks: Yannick Ngakoue (8.5)
- Interceptions: Stephon Gilmore (2)
- Pass Defenses: Stephon Gilmore (8)
Kicking
- Field Goals Made: Chase McLaughlin (22)
- Field Goal Attempts: Chase McLaughlin (27)
- Longest Field Goal: Chase McLaughlin (52 yards)
- XPs Made: Chase McLaughlin (13)
- XP Attempts: Chase McLaughlin (13)
Punting
- Total Punts: Matt Haack (54)
- Punt Yards: Matt Haack (2418)
- Yards per Punt: Matt Haack (44.8)
- Net Yards per Punt: Matt Haack (41.1)
- Longest Punt: Matt Haack (70 yards)
Storylines to Watch
Can the Vikings Defense Get the Job Done?
The Minnesota Vikings are in the middle of an historically bad stretch on the defensive side of the ball. In particular, their loss to Detroit was a rather horrendous effort all-around. One thing that has kept this particular group afloat has been the ability to force turnovers.
Well, they go against a QB this week in Matt Ryan that has put the ball up for grabs 27 times this season (13 INTs, 14 fumbles) despite playing just 11 games. If the Vikings can’t force turnovers against this group, they probably don’t belong in the conversation to win the NFC.
Yannick Ngakoue’s Return to Minnesota
Yannick Ngakoue is infamous in Minnesota for no real fault of his own. Rather, it’s a combination of Rick Spielman’s decision making and the Vikings pitiful 2020 defense. Spielman traded for the pass rusher prior to the 2020 season, giving the Jaguars a 2021 second-round pick and 2022 fifth-round pick.
Ngakoue proceeded to play six games in Minnesota before being dealt for a second time in two months. This time the Vikings sent him to Baltimore for a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 fifth-round pick. So the Vikings gave away a second rounder, but then they could only get a third rounder for him. Making matters worse, Ngakoue’s five sacks in six games still led the Vikings by the time the 2020 season came to an end.
The Vikings Quarter-Century Drought
There’s a whole separate piece talking about this on PurplePTSD, but the Minnesota Vikings enter this weekend hoping to end a 25-year drought. Since December 21st, 1997, the Vikings have gone winless against these Colts. Yours truly was less than three months old when that game occurred.
Indy is currently on a six-game winning streak against the Vikings with their most recent win coming during the 2020 season when they defeated Minnesota in Indianapolis, 28-11. Hopefully the Vikings can change fate on Saturday afternoon.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.