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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson catches an 8-yard touchdown pass ahead of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Andy Clayton-King
NFL

Vikings clinch division with historic comeback win

Minnesota erased a 33-0 halftime deficit to record the biggest comeback in NFL history.

THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS authored the biggest comeback in NFL history to clinch the NFC North division title with a 39-36 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

The Vikings erased a 33-0 halftime deficit and grabbed the win on Greg Joseph’s 40-yard field goal with two seconds left in the extra session.

The previous largest comeback in NFL history was the Buffalo Bills’ rally from a 32-point deficit to beat the Houston Oilers in a Wild Card round playoff game in January, 1993.

Minnesota scored 21 points in the fourth quarter as quarterback Kirk Cousins connected on three touchdown passes.

That included a 64-yard TD on a screen pass to Dalvin Cook that was followed by a two-point conversion pass to TJ Hockenson that tied the score at 36-36 with 2:15 left in regulation.

Each team punted on its opening possession of overtime, the Vikings finally striking for the win on their second OT opportunity.

The Buffalo Bills also secured a playoff berth, beating AFC East division rivals Miami 32-29 on Tyler Bass’s 25-yard field goal on the final play of the game.

The Bills trailed 29-21 with 11:56 remaining.

They tied the game on quarterback Josh Allen’s five-yard touchdown throw to Dawson Knox and Allen’s run for the two-point conversion.

After the Dolphins had to punt on their final drive, Allen — who threw four touchdown passes — guided an 86-yard drive capped by Bass’s game-winner.

In Cleveland, the Baltimore Ravens fell 13-3 to the Browns to tumble out of first place in the AFC North.

The Ravens struggled without injured quarterback Lamar Jackson. Backup Tyler Huntley completed 17 of 30 passes with no touchdowns and one interception and star kicker Justin Tucker missed two field goal attempts.

– © AFP 2022

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