Welcome to the 25 SKOL’s of Christmas!
In a similar vein to how Freeform has done the 25 days of Christmas, we will look back at different moments in Vikings history to bring a little extra joy to you this holiday season.
It’s that simple. The holidays can be a trying time for some people and we want to put a smile on people’s faces by reminiscing about some truly joyous times in Vikings’ history.
On the twenty-first SKOL of Christmas, the Vikings gave to me: The biggest comeback in NFL history.
The Vikings history against the Indianapolis Colts over the last 25 years has not been kind. Prior to the 2022 season, they hadn’t beaten the Colts since the 1997 season when Jim Harbaugh, now the head coach at the University of Michigan, was the starting quarterback. They never could beat Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck.
On December 17th, 2022, the entire nation was primed to watch the game at U.S. Bank Stadium as it was broadcast at noon on NFL Network. Things didn’t start off well for the Vikings.
The first half was a disaster for the purple and gold. Multiple turnovers and failed fourth downs paired with a pick-six had the Vikings down 33-0 at halftime and things couldn’t have been worse.
Oh, but they did get worse. The Vikings went three and out on their first drive out of halftime and things felt hopeless. After forcing a punt by the Colts, the Vikings did something no other team had ever done before: come back from 33 points down and also come back from being down 30+ points at halftime while being shut out.
At halftime, cornerback Patrick Peterson famously said “All we need is five touchdowns” and the offense delivered.
The GREATEST comeback in NFL history. 🗣️
The @vikings gave us a Saturday Miracle last year.
📺: #MINvsCIN – Saturday 1pm ET on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/zrWNoovZL3— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2023
Kirk Cousins played the game of his life, throwing for 460 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Vikings to a comeback victory.
K.J. Osborn got the first touchdown and C.J. Ham, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen scored on consecutive fashion but the final touchdown scored by Dalvin Cook had U.S. Bank Stadium in an uproar. It came after the Vikings got a stop on a quarterback sneak on fourth and inches.
TOUCHDOWN: Kirk Cousins 64-yd TD to Dalvin Cook#Colts 36 #Vikings 34 4th pic.twitter.com/zNLqveXdYN
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) December 17, 2022
The game ended up going to overtime and Greg Joseph hit the game-winning field goal to complete the greatest comeback in NFL history 39-36.
These kinds of things don’t normally happen to the Vikings, but they found a way and clinched the NFC North in the process. While it was both improbably and unlikely for a myriad of reasons, it was the epitome of the Vikings 2022 where anything was possible.
Previous SKOL’s of Christmas:
Drafting Randy Moss
Vikings 1997 Wild Card Comeback
Jarius Wright Walks Off the Jets
Jared Allen traded to Vikings
Adrian Peterson Sets Rushing Record
Brett Favre Revenge Tour
Bud Grant Rocks a Polo in Freezing Temperatures
Adrian Peterson Stiff Arms Defender to Oblivion
Anthony Carter Dominates the 1987 Playoffs
Kirk Cousins’ First Major Comeback
Randy Moss Dominates Monday Night Football
Tuesday Night Joe Webb
Randy Moss Laterals to Moe Williams
Miracle At The Met
Cris Carter catches number 1,000
Resurgence of Randall Cunningham
Sam Bradford Opens Up U.S. Bank Stadium
Teddy Bridgewater’s Triumphant Return
Randy Moss on Thanksgiving
Bernard Berrian 99 Yard Touchdown
Jeff George’s Moonshots
