Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2022 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2022 NFL season on 2022-12-17, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 39–36 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +6.55 total EPA, and -6.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.67 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+48.5% win probability) landed in overtime when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (1:49) 6-M.Haack punts 38 yards to MIN 18, Center-46-L.Rhodes, downed by IND-16-A.Dulin.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +8.67 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Osborn · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +8.61 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Cook · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.44 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.86 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +6.55 total EPA · 67 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Woods · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.64 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Dulin · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Pittman · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +1.97 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Indianapolis Colts — J. Domann (Q1 53:20)
• Indianapolis Colts — D. Jackson (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 48:55)
• Indianapolis Colts — J. Blackmon (Q2 35:57)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Osborn (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 23:26)
• Minnesota Vikings — C. Ham (Q3 16:19)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 12:59)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 5:34)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 2:28)

Field goals

• Indianapolis Colts — C. McLaughlin (Q1 54:15)
• Indianapolis Colts — C. McLaughlin (Q2 43:11)
• Indianapolis Colts — C. McLaughlin (Q2 40:46)
• Indianapolis Colts — C. McLaughlin (Q2 30:12)
• Indianapolis Colts — C. McLaughlin (Q2 30:08)
• Indianapolis Colts — C. McLaughlin (Q3 19:59)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (OT 0:07)
• Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (OT 0:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 17–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the MIN 8 (Q1 54:15) — (9:15) 7-C.McLaughlin 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the IND 66 (Q1 53:20); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 53:12) — 7-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q1 48:55) — (3:55) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 35-D.Jackson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 48:51) — 7-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack..

The second quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 19–0. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the MIN 10 (Q2 43:11) — (13:11) 7-C.McLaughlin 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the MIN 31 (Q2 40:46) — (10:46) 7-C.McLaughlin 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the IND 88 (Q2 35:57); Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 35:50) — 7-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the MIN 9 (Q2 30:12) — (:12) 7-C.McLaughlin 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the IND 35 (Q2 30:08) — 7-C.McLaughlin kicks 74 yards from IND 35 to MIN -9. 26-K.Nwangwu to MIN 27 for 36 yards (20-N.Cross)..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the IND 2 (Q3 23:26) — (8:26) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 17-K.Osborn for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 23:22) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the MIN 34 (Q3 19:59) — (4:59) 7-C.McLaughlin 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q3 16:19) — (1:19) 30-C.Ham up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-75-B.O'Neill, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 16:13) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 22–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the IND 8 (Q4 12:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 18-J.Jefferson for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 12:53) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q4 5:34) — (5:34) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 5:30) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the IND 64 (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 4-D.Cook for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the IND 2 (Q4 2:15) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-K.Cousins pass to 87-T.Hockenson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Overtime: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the IND 22 (OT 0:07) — (:07) 1-G.Joseph 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal (OT 0:03) — END GAME.

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Indianapolis Colts (OT 1:49) — (1:49) 6-M.Haack punts 38 yards to MIN 18, Center-46-L.Rhodes, downed by IND-16-A.Dulin. [WPA +48.5% · EPA -0.79]
• Minnesota Vikings (OT 0:20) — (:20) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson to IND 27 for 13 yards (59-I.Odenigbo). PENALTY on IND-59-I.Odenigbo, Defensive Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at IND 27. [WPA +39.8% · EPA +0.82]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 4-D.Cook for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.8% · EPA +5.13]
• Minnesota Vikings (OT 0:48) — (:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen to IND 40 for 21 yards (34-I.Rodgers). [WPA +21.7% · EPA +1.01]
• Minnesota Vikings (OT 4:58) — (4:58) 14-R.Wright punts 26 yards to IND 13, Center-42-A.DePaola, fair catch by 33-D.Flowers. [WPA +20.2% · EPA -0.98]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 53:20) — (8:20) 14-R.Wright punt is BLOCKED by 59-I.Odenigbo, Center-42-A.DePaola, RECOVERED by IND-57-J.Domann at MIN 24. 57-J.Domann for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.1% · EPA -6.73]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 35:57) — (5:57) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle intended for 5-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 32-J.Blackmon at MIN 17. 32-J.Blackmon for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -2.4% · EPA -6.70]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 52:33) — (7:33) (No Huddle) 4-D.Cook up the middle to IND 31 for 4 yards (44-Z.Franklin; 26-R.McLeod). FUMBLES (44-Z.Franklin), RECOVERED by IND-34-I.Rodgers at IND 30. 34-I.Rodgers to IND 34 for 4 yards (19-A [WPA -8.4% · EPA -5.41]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 4-D.Cook for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.8% · EPA +5.13]

Quarterback report card

K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 67 dropbacks · 50.7% completion · -6.2% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +6.55 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Indianapolis Colts) · 37 dropbacks · 51.4% completion · -8.6% CPOE · -0.07 EPA/play · -2.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Indianapolis Colts -0.11, Minnesota Vikings -0.15) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Indianapolis Colts: 18 drives, -11.92 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 19 drives, -17.68 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Ryan (IND) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q1 54:15 · MIN 8 · Score 3-0
   (9:15) 7-C.McLaughlin 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
2. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 53:20 · IND 66 · Score 9-0
   (8:20) 14-R.Wright punt is BLOCKED by 59-I.Odenigbo, Center-42-A.DePaola, RECOVERED by IND-57-J.Domann at MIN 24. 57-J.Domann for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 53:12 · MIN 15 · Score 10-0
   7-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
4. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 48:55 · MIN 1 · Score 16-0
   (3:55) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 35-D.Jackson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 48:51 · MIN 15 · Score 17-0
   7-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
6. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 43:11 · MIN 10 · Score 20-0
   (13:11) 7-C.McLaughlin 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
7. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 40:46 · MIN 31 · Score 23-0
   (10:46) 7-C.McLaughlin 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
8. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 35:57 · IND 88 · Score 29-0
   (5:57) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle intended for 5-J.Reagor INTERCEPTED by 32-J.Blackmon at MIN 17. 32-J.Blackmon for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 35:50 · MIN 15 · Score 30-0
   7-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
10. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 30:12 · MIN 9 · Score 33-0
    (:12) 7-C.McLaughlin 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
11. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 30:08 · IND 35 · Score 33-0
    7-C.McLaughlin kicks 74 yards from IND 35 to MIN -9. 26-K.Nwangwu to MIN 27 for 36 yards (20-N.Cross).
12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 23:26 · IND 2 · Score 33-6
    (8:26) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 17-K.Osborn for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 23:22 · IND 15 · Score 33-7
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
14. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q3 19:59 · MIN 34 · Score 36-7
    (4:59) 7-C.McLaughlin 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-6-M.Haack.
15. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 16:19 · IND 1 · Score 36-13
    (1:19) 30-C.Ham up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-75-B.O'Neill, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
16. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 16:13 · IND 15 · Score 36-14
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
17. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 12:59 · IND 8 · Score 36-20
    (12:59) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 18-J.Jefferson for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 12:53 · IND 15 · Score 36-21
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
19. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 5:34 · IND 1 · Score 36-27
    (5:34) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 5:30 · IND 15 · Score 36-28
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
21. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 2:28 · IND 64 · Score 36-34
    (2:28) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 4-D.Cook for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q4 2:15 · IND 2 · Score 36-36
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-K.Cousins pass to 87-T.Hockenson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
23. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — OT 0:07 · IND 22 · Score 36-39
    (:07) 1-G.Joseph 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
24. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — OT 0:03 · Score 36-39
    END GAME