The Vikings took the lead on the game’s first drive, scoring on a 53-yard field goal. After a good looking start on a long first drive, the Vikings seemed to slow down and stall on both sides of the ball. Not only did the team sputter in scoring attempts, they also shot them selves in the foot with penalties, helping to gift wrap a victory for this inexperienced Colts team in their home opener.

Luck and the Colts took the field on their first drive, and ended an 80-yard 12-play opening drive with a touchdown to take the lead for the first time. Even though the Vikings would close the gap with another field goal on their next drive, the Colts would never relinquish the lead. The Colts would hold off a late Vikings surge, eventually winning the game 23-20, after Adam Vinatieri’s 24th game-winning field goal. The score was not totally indicative of how over-matched the Vikings seemed on the field, and a closer look shows that the Vikings did a lot of personal damage to keep themselves from a better shot at winning.

The Vikings held the Colts to a three-and-out on their own goal line late in the third quarter. Down 20-6 after allowing 13 straight points, Minnesota stung themselves with a block in the back penalty after a booming 64-yard punt by Pat McAfee. On the very next play, the Vikings were backed up by a late hit penalty. A few plays later, the offense was called for holding, and the Colts forced a punt.

The Vikings forced another three-and-out on the next Colts drive., and got the ball back early in the fourth quarter. On the first play of that drive, wide out Percy Harvin was called for offensive pass interference. Defensive end Jared Allen was also called for a late hit on Andrew Luck, and the Vikings helped to save a Colts drive by getting flagged for roughing the punter. All in all, the Vikings would have 11 penalties for 105 yards.

The Vikings would score fourteen points in the fourth quarter to tie the game late, but never got over the hump. The end result was a huge victory for a young team looking to grow and flow together. Did the Colts win the game, or did the Vikings lose it? The answer is a little bit of both, but no one in a Colts jersey is complaining.

Colts 23 - Vikings 20

Horseshoe Hero

The Colts needed just two games to get their first win of the regular season, surging ahead with mere seconds left on the clock to defeat the Minnesota Vikings in front of a sold out home crowd on Sunday afternoon. With a record of 1-1, the Colts are no longer the league’s statistically worst team. Although the effort was a bit scrappy, the Colts earned every bit of their hard-fought win, and quarterback Andrew Luck shined. In fact, many players left their marks on the field, on all sides of the ball.

Offense

It’s no secret Andrew Luck has the athletic ability to succeed in the NFL, but on Sunday, Luck proved that he also has the mental ability to be an elite NFL quarterback. If Luck had any negative memories from last week’s less-than-ideal debut, he erased them, and he played with poise, strength, and tenacity in his second start. Luck completed almost 65% of his passes, including two impressive touchdown tosses in the first half. In the first quarter, Luck accounted for 81 yards of an 80-yard, 13-play touchdown drive. He was consistent all afternoon and threw no interceptions – 3 fewer than last week. Luck is an analytical player, and he’s learning to cut through defenses very quickly. He was even the team’s second-leading rusher.

Donnie Avery, a free agent acquisition this offseason, was also pretty stellar in his second outing as a Colt. On the team’s first touchdown drive, he caught 3 passes for 65 yards, and on the day, he caught a team-high 9 receptions for 111 yards. It was tight end Dwayne Allen who earned the day’s first touchdown, though. Not only was it the rookie’s first ever score, but it was also his first ever reception. Reggie Wayne had a pretty 30-yard touchdown reception of his own in the end zone and was the team’s second-leading receiver with 6 receptions for 71 yards.

Although Luck was again under pressure for much of the game, the offensive line was much improved this week, especially since the team lost center Samson Satele early in the game to injury. Mike McGlynn took over and more than held his own, and Trai Essex, who signed with the Horseshoe just 6 days ago, stepped in to play at right guard – remarkable! The battered line was all heart.

Defense

The defense also stepped up their game this week. They held Adrian Peterson to just 60 yards and prevented the Vikings’ star running back from scoring a single touchdown – something that just does not happen very often. Cornerback Jerraud Powers led the team with 7 tackles, while Robert Mathis, Kavell Connor, and Jerry Hughes – yes, Jerry Hughes – were all credited with sacks. Hughes, who has struggled in recent seasons, seems to be thriving in the Colts’ new 3-4 defensive scheme. Jerrell Freeman, who ran an interception back for a touchdown last week against Chicago, forced a fumble this week, and Cory Redding recovered a fumble. Both are new to the Colts this year as well.

Special Teams

The special teams players were the real heroes on Sunday. Adam Vinatieri, who missed his only field goal attempt last week, saved the day by kicking the game winner – a 53 yarder – with just 8 seconds remaining in the game. All 5 of his kicks (3 FG, 2 PAT) sailed perfectly through the uprights. Pat McAfee – who I’ve since learned has read this column (Thank you, Mr. McAfee!) – kept up his stellar play as well and even upped his game from last week, averaging 53.6 yards on 5 punts. His net punting average was 43.4.

The Colts played like a real team unit – a winning one, at that – on Sunday. I look forward to the great things in store for them, especially when they get some players back from injury, like Dwight Freeney, Austin Collie, and Pat Angerer.

Congrats on the first win, Colts Nation! Horseshoe Hero will be back next week when the Colts take on Jacksonville at home. For more, you can follow me on Twitter @catierae08.

The Vikings defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime at Minnesota in week one. Adrian Peterson made a remarkable return from injury, carrying the ball 17 times, and scoring two touchdowns. The Vikings have won the last three meetings against the Colts, and Peterson ran for 129 yards the last time these two teams met. All-pro defensive end Jared Allen was held without a tackle in week one, and will be chomping at the bit to attack the Colts’ rookie quarterback.

Andrew Luck will be looking to progress from an uneven debut against the Chicago bears in week one. Luck was responsible for four Indianapolis turnovers, throwing three interceptions and fumbling the ball once. In Luck’s defense, he was throwing from behind for much of the game. Luck was sacked three times, and was hit on the run 13 times, due to an over-matched offensive line. The Colts can expect to see similar pressure against the Vikings. Luck did throw for 309 yards and one touchdown in the loss, which was a stat line eerily similar to a former Colts quarterback in his debut. In 1998, Peyton Manning threw for 302 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions in his first game as a pro.

The Vikings have lost five straight non-conference road games, and 13 of the last 15 away games against AFC teams. This team will make it hard for Luck to see much of the field if the can control the clock and keep the ball in Peterson’s hands. The issue for the Colts will be trying to keep AP from breaking a big gain for a long touchdown run. The Colts must try to pressure second-year quarterback Christian Ponder, who threw for 270 yards against the Jaguars, but did not score and fumbled once. The Indianapolis defense has to give up less than the 333 passing yards they allowed in week one, in order to try and avoid starting 0-2 for the second season in a row. Since 1990, only 22 teams who have started the season with two straight losses have made the playoffs.

Prediction – Colts 20, Vikings 19