Sports · American Football · 3 hrs ago
Vikings beat Colts 16-10 after record-setting blitz rate
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 on Sunday in Minneapolis to stay unbeaten.
Minnesota sent extra pass-rushers on 85.2% of the Colts’ dropbacks, the highest rate recorded in the Next Gen Stats era, which began in 2016.
The pressure helped limit Indianapolis to 64 net passing yards, with four sacks costing the Colts 44 yards.
The Vikings’ defense, led by coordinator Brian Flores, often kept the Colts guessing about who would rush the quarterback.
Indianapolis still gained 154 yards on the ground, but Harrison Smith intercepted Daniel Jones on the Colts’ final drive to seal the win.
Minnesota moved to 6-0, while the Colts fell to 2-5; the Vikings have allowed a league-low 74 points.
The Vikings next need to keep their defense strong as they try to extend their unbeaten start, while Colts coach Shane Steichen said he still has faith in Jones.
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 on Sunday, using an NFL-record blitz rate for the Next Gen Stats era.
Minnesota blitzed on 85.2 percent of the Colts’ dropbacks, the highest rate recorded since the tracking era began in 2016.
The pressure helped limit Indianapolis to 64 net passing yards and produced four sacks.
Harrison Smith intercepted Daniel Jones with about a minute left to end the Colts’ final drive.
The victory kept the Vikings unbeaten at 6-0, while the Colts fell to 2-5.
- Who
- The Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.
- What
- Minnesota won 16-10 and blitzed on 85.2 percent of the Colts’ dropbacks, a record for the Next Gen Stats era.
- When
- Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Where
- U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
- Why
- The Vikings’ defense pressured quarterback Daniel Jones and stopped the Colts’ final drive with a game-sealing interception.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jonathan Taylor scored a 38-yard touchdown on Indianapolis’ opening drive to give the Colts the lead.
Will Reichard kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:39 left to put Minnesota ahead.
Harrison Smith intercepted Daniel Jones around midfield with about a minute left, ending Indianapolis’ last drive.
Minnesota completed a 16-10 win and improved to 6-0.
- Final score
- Vikings 16, Colts 10
- Vikings blitz rate
- 85.2 percent of Colts’ dropbacks
- Next Gen Stats era
- Began in 2016
- Colts net passing yards
- 64
- Sacks by Minnesota
- 4
- Team records after game
- Vikings 6-0; Colts 2-5
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What people are saying
We feel really comfortable and confident to win football games when we don’t turn it over and we win the field position and boring stuff like that, because we know over the course of 60 minutes what that side can do
I think we expected it to be this kind of game, kind of an ugly game, and credit to them on defense