The Minnesota Vikings are back in the playoffs. Won the NFC North Division title on Saturday in historic fashion.
The Vikings swooped in from a 33-point deficit at halftime to swoon the Colts at 39-36 in overtime at the tumultuous US Bank Stadium.
The 33-point comeback is the largest in NFL history.
Saturday’s shocking result looked like the most likely outcome after the first half hour. The Colts stormed into a 33-0 halftime lead on the strength of a blocked kick returned for a touchdown and a pick six.
But Kirk Cousins and the Vikings started a ferocious rally in the final two frames as Dalvin Cook’s 64-yard catch-and-run pulled Minnesota within two. Cousins then connected with tight end He TJ Hockenson on his two-point attempt to force his OT.
From there, the Vikings and Colts traded punts, with Cousins driving Minnesota 55 yards in six plays to set up Greg Joseph’s game-winning field goal.
This is the Vikings’ first division title since the 2017 season and their first playoff berth since 2019.
Those playoff berths had Mike Zimmer as head coach, but rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell led the Vikings’ comeback as the 11-3 team captured the divisional title with three games remaining. .
Going into Week 15, the Vikings were the No. 2 seed in the NFC. With playoff berths and home games stitched together, they now have an outside chance to overtake the No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles and seal the conference’s only bye. More realistically, Minnesota’s responsibility would be to hold off the second seed.
Either way, the Vikings are the champions of the NFC North and are back in the playoffs after a two-season hiatus.