Harrison Smith Keeps Saving a Vikings Offense That Can’t Stop Testing Its Perfect Record

The Minnesota Vikings (6-0) preserved their unbeaten start with a 16-10 comeback victory over the Indianapolis Colts (2-5) at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 25, 2026, as Kyler Murray sparked a fourth-quarter rally and Harrison Smith’s historic interception sealed another defensive masterpiece.

Quarter-by-Quarter

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
IND 7 3 0 0 10
MIN 0 6 0 10 16

Minnesota’s undefeated season spent three quarters depending almost entirely on Brian Flores’ defense before Kyler Murray finally provided a spark. Trailing 10-6 entering the fourth quarter, Murray escaped pressure for a 35-yard scramble before finding T.J. Hockenson for a five-yard touchdown, Minnesota’s first at home in 42 days. Murray finished with 150 passing yards, while Jordan Mason returned from injured reserve to rush for 68 yards. Justin Jefferson managed just 44 receiving yards as the Vikings converted only three of 11 third downs. Will Reichard eventually extended the lead with a 52-yard field goal, setting the stage for Harrison Smith to intercept Daniel Jones and seal the victory. Smith’s 40th career interception made him just the fourth player in NFL history with at least 40 interceptions and 20 sacks. Minnesota remains unbeaten at 6-0, even if its offense keeps making perfection unnecessarily difficult.

Indianapolis had every opportunity to ruin that perfect start. Jonathan Taylor opened the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown and finished with 95 rushing yards, while Seth McGowan contributed another 46. However, Daniel Jones completed just 13 of 22 passes for 108 yards, took four sacks and threw the game-ending interception. Blake Cashman was everywhere for Minnesota, recording 12 tackles, two sacks and four pass breakups. The Colts’ defense deserved better, especially with Adetomiwa Adebawore collecting two sacks and Grover Stewart blocking Reichard’s 59-yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, Spencer Shrader missed kicks from 56 and 48 yards, squandering two valuable scoring opportunities. The Colts controlled possession, converted eight of 15 third downs and held Minnesota to 275 yards, yet failed to score after halftime. With general manager Chris Ballard already dismissed earlier in the week, another offensive collapse only increases the pressure on Shane Steichen and his struggling 2-5 team.

Postgame Statistical Breakdown

Team Stats

Stat Indianapolis Colts Minnesota Vikings
Final Score 10 16
Total Offensive Yards 218 275
Passing Yards 64 139
Rushing Yards 154 136
Total Plays 59 56
Yards Per Play 3.7 4.9
First Downs 15 17
Third Downs 8-15 3-11
Third-Down % 53.3% 27.3%
Fourth Downs 1-1 1-2
Passing TDs 0 1
Rushing TDs 1 0
Total Offensive TDs 1 1
Turnovers 1 0
Interceptions Thrown 1 0
Fumbles Lost 0 0
Sacks Allowed 4 3
Penalties 6 4
Penalty Yards 46 24
Time of Possession 31:50 28:10

Passing

Indianapolis Colts

  1. Daniel Jones — 13/22, 59.1%, 108 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT, 4.9 YPA, 4 SACK, 52.8 RTG

Minnesota Vikings

  1. Kyler Murray — 14/24, 58.3%, 150 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT, 6.3 YPA, 3 SACK, 90.6 RTG

Rushing

Indianapolis Colts

  1. Jonathan Taylor — 18 CAR, 95 YDS, 5.3 AVG, 1 TD, LONG 38
  2. Seth McGowan — 11 CAR, 46 YDS, 4.2 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 14

Minnesota Vikings

  1. Jordan Mason — 15 CAR, 68 YDS, 4.5 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 12
  2. Kyler Murray — 5 CAR, 39 YDS, 7.8 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 35

Receiving

Indianapolis Colts

  1. Keenan Allen — 3 REC, 3 TGT, 31 YDS, 10.3 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 13
  2. Laquon Treadwell — 2 REC, 2 TGT, 19 YDS, 9.5 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 12
  3. Josh Downs — 2 REC, 4 TGT, 18 YDS, 9.0 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 13
  4. Jonathan Taylor — 2 REC, 3 TGT, 15 YDS, 7.5 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 10
  5. Drew Ogletree — 2 REC, 3 TGT, 12 YDS, 6.0 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 9

Minnesota Vikings

  1. Justin Jefferson — 4 REC, 7 TGT, 44 YDS, 11.0 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 21
  2. T.J. Hockenson — 4 REC, 5 TGT, 35 YDS, 8.8 AVG, 1 TD, LONG 22
  3. Jauan Jennings — 2 REC, 3 TGT, 34 YDS, 17.0 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 20
  4. Jordan Addison — 2 REC, 3 TGT, 20 YDS, 10.0 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 11
  5. Gavin Bartholomew — 1 REC, 1 TGT, 17 YDS, 17.0 AVG, 0 TD, LONG 17

Scoring Plays

Qtr Clock Team Play Score
Q1 9:13 Indianapolis Colts Jonathan Taylor 38-yard run (Spencer Shrader kick) IND 7, MIN 0
Q2 14:52 Minnesota Vikings Will Reichard 28-yard field goal IND 7, MIN 3
Q2 6:37 Minnesota Vikings Will Reichard 47-yard field goal IND 7, MIN 6
Q2 0:00 Indianapolis Colts Spencer Shrader 43-yard field goal IND 10, MIN 6
Q4 14:36 Minnesota Vikings T.J. Hockenson 5-yard pass from Kyler Murray (Will Reichard kick) IND 10, MIN 13
Q4 1:39 Minnesota Vikings Will Reichard 52-yard field goal IND 10, MIN 16

Defense

Indianapolis Colts

  1. Adetomiwa Adebawore — 5 TOT, 4 SOLO, 2 TFL, 2 SACK, 2 QBH, 1 PD
  2. Cam Taylor-Britt — 4 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 TFL, 1 SACK, 1 PD
  3. A.J. Haulcy — 9 TOT, 5 SOLO
  4. Akeem Davis-Gaither — 7 TOT, 3 SOLO, 1 TFL
  5. DeForest Buckner — 5 TOT, 2 SOLO
  6. Jaylahn Tuimoloau — 5 TOT, 2 SOLO
  7. Charvarius Ward — 3 TOT, 1 SOLO, 1 PD
  8. Kenneth Harris — 2 TOT, 1 PD
  9. Justin Walley — 3 TOT, 3 SOLO
  10. Germaine Pratt — 3 TOT

Minnesota Vikings

  1. Blake Cashman — 12 TOT, 8 SOLO, 2 TFL, 2 SACK, 3 QBH, 4 PD
  2. Harrison Smith — 4 TOT, 2 SOLO, 0.5 SACK, 1 QBH, 1 INT, 15 INT YDS, 1 PD
  3. Dallas Turner — 4 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 TFL, 0.5 SACK, 3 QBH
  4. Jalen Redmond — 5 TOT, 3 SOLO, 1 TFL, 0.5 SACK, 1 QBH
  5. Eric Wilson — 4 TOT, 3 SOLO, 1 TFL, 0.5 SACK, 1 QBH
  6. Andrew Van Ginkel — 3 TOT, 1 SOLO, 1 TFL, 1 QBH
  7. Joshua Metellus — 7 TOT, 3 SOLO
  8. James Pierre — 5 TOT, 5 SOLO
  9. Kyle Van Noy — 3 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 TFL
  10. Byron Murphy Jr. — 3 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 PD

Kick Returns

Indianapolis Colts

  1. Seth McGowan — 5 KR, 140 YDS, 28.0 AVG, LONG 43, 0 TD

Minnesota Vikings

  1. Myles Price — 1 KR, 46 YDS, 46.0 AVG, LONG 46, 0 TD

Punt Returns

Indianapolis Colts

  1. Josh Downs — 1 PR, 0 YDS, 0.0 AVG, 0 TD

Minnesota Vikings

  1. Myles Price — 2 PR, 12 YDS, 6.0 AVG, LONG 12, 0 TD
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