Vikings 16, Colts 10: Cashman, Then Harry at Midfield

October 25, 2026 - Minneapolis - The chant started before the kneel-downs. Harrison Smith had just intercepted Daniel Jones around midfield, his 40th career pick, and U.S. Bank Stadium answered the way it has for 15 seasons: "HAR-RY! HAR-RY!" The Minnesota Vikings took two knees and stayed unbeaten.

They beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10. Minnesota is 6-0, the first 6-0 start here since 2009, the club wrote. Indianapolis is 2-5 after a third straight loss. Jonathan Taylor scored from 38 on the first Colts drive. The next three quarters belonged to Brian Flores's pressure, two missed Shrader kicks, and one scramble that finally put Minnesota in the end zone.

The AP listed Minnesota with a league-low 74 points allowed. The Vikings said the defense has given up three points across six fourth quarters. Sunday was a second-half shutout: 48 net yards in the fourth, Jones 2 of 5 for 22, and one throw Smith did not give back.

38 yards, then a long afternoon

Jaylahn Tuimoloau stuffed Minnesota's opening series. Fourth-and-1 died for no gain, the Vikings wrote. Taylor then took the next snap through Bernhard Raimann's block and walked 38 yards, his longest run of 2026. 7-0. It was also the only Colts touchdown.

Indianapolis converted third-and-11 to Keenan Allen (13 yards) and third-and-4 to Josh Downs (5) on that first drive. The Colts went 5 of 8 on third down before the break. They converted fourth-and-1 on the last first-half possession, then hit Allen for 10 and Laquon Treadwell for 12 with 1:48 left. Spencer Shrader made 43 as the half expired. 10-6.

Kyler Murray was 14 of 24 for 150, one score, no picks, a 90.6 rating. He took three sacks for 11 yards. Justin Jefferson caught four for 44 and passed 600 career receptions, the Vikings wrote. Minnesota went 2 of 7 on third down in the first half and settled for Will Reichard from 28 and 47.

Jones finished 13 of 22 for 108, no scores, one interception, a 52.8 rating. Four sacks cost him 44 yards. Net passing: 64, the Vikings listed. NBC Sports had 13 of 21; ESPN, the club, and nflverse have 13 of 22. Jones spent the back half of 2024 on this sideline. "I think we expected it to be this kind of game, kind of an ugly game, and credit to them on defense," he told the AP. Shane Steichen is keeping him. Four touchdown passes and seven interceptions in seven games, the AP counted. "I've got a ton of faith in Daniel," Steichen said.

Murray to the 5, Hockenson to the pylon

The third quarter was a 12-play Colts march that died when Jones threw it away on third-and-2. Steichen kicked from 56 on fourth-and-2. Isaiah Rodgers, a former Colt, got pressure off the edge. Shrader missed wide left. That ended a 22-make streak and seven straight from 50-plus, the AP wrote. The Vikings had him 18 of 18 entering, then 19 of 19 after the 43-yarder.

Murray's first snap of the fourth was third-and-8 from the Indianapolis 40. He stepped up between Aaron Jones and Brian O'Neill, cut toward the left sideline, and went 35 yards to the 5, the Vikings wrote. Next play: T.J. Hockenson from 5, a toss to the pylon after Hockenson crossed the formation. Minnesota's first lead. It was the 10th offensive touchdown in six games, the AP said.

"Their edges were collapsing all day," Hockenson told the club. "It was fun. I got to Griddy with Justin Jefferson. It's the best."

Murray told the AP the offense moved the ball. "We've just got to put the ball in the end zone." He ran five times for 39. Jordan Mason, back from injured reserve, led with 15 carries for 68. Aaron Jones had eight for 26 and one catch for zero, then left with a knee after a 17-yard option and did not return.

Minnesota finished with 136 rushing yards on 29 carries and 275 total, net of sacks. Indianapolis ran 33 times for 154: Taylor 18 for 95, Seth McGowan 11 for 46, Jones four for 13.

Two kickers lose a streak, then Smith ends it

Grover Stewart blocked Reichard's 59-yarder with 8:32 left, the Vikings wrote, Stewart's fourth career blocked field goal, the Colts said. Indianapolis took over at its 49. Taylor and McGowan reached the Minnesota 30. Shrader from 48 drifted wide right with 4:22 left. The tie never came.

Adetomiwa Adebawore sacked Murray for the second time on the next series and drew a hold. Reichard from 52 with 1:39 left. 16-10. The Vikings wrote that his first two makes passed Gary Anderson's 35 consecutive field goals for the franchise record. The AP listed that mark at 35 after the 28 and 47. The 59-yarder was blocked either way. The 52 counted.

Jones found Downs for 11 from the Indianapolis 33. The next throw was Smith's. The Vikings listed a 15-yard return to the 41. The AP said Smith planted the ball on the 40 to mark No. 40. Two kneels. 6-0.

Blake Cashman had 12 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and four passes defensed. The Vikings said he is the first NFL player since Chicago's Alex Brown in 2005 with at least 2.0 sacks and four breakups in one game. His first sack, from the Minnesota 14 with 19 seconds left in the half, forced the 43-yard kick. His second beat Taylor in protection and made it third-and-33. "In this defense, we love chaos," Cashman told the club.

Minnesota has won 11 in a row, the club wrote, the longest active streak in the league. Flores's group has a sack in 34 straight games, dating to Week 9 of 2024 against these same Colts. Kevin O'Connell told the AP the boring stuff still wins: no turnovers, field position, and a defense that can play 60 minutes.

Sauce Gardner (calf) was inactive. Justin Walley (knee) and Cam Taylor-Britt (groin) left, the AP wrote. Tyler Warren missed a second straight game with a groin. Jaylon Carlies (ribs) started again.

AthX Engine on a 16-10 slog

AthX Engine NFL scoring already has the Week 7 line in. Adebawore is 71.00 on two sacks, the top total in this game and on the weekly player board. Cashman is 69.00. Smith is 46.00. Taylor is 34.50. Murray is 27.75. Reichard is 27.00. Redmond is 26.50. Hockenson is 20.75. Minnesota's team line is 55.50. Indianapolis is -4.00.

Fantasy points measure the box. Price is what traders will pay for an unbeaten club that still has 10 offensive touchdowns in six games, and for a Colts interior lineman who outscored every skill player in a 16-10 defeat. They move together. They are not the same number.

Track Cashman, Taylor, Jefferson, Reichard, and both clubs on the marketplace. The Lions host Minnesota in Week 8. The Jaguars host Indianapolis.

*Sources: AP recap (ESPN), ESPN box, Vikings observations, Cashman wrap, Murray-Hockenson wrap, Colts wrap, NBC Sports. ESPN, AP, Vikings, nflverse, and NBC Sports agree on 16-10. The Colts wrap lede says 13-10; the same article then describes Reichard's 52-yarder putting Minnesota up by six, which matches 16-10. NBC listed Jones at 13 of 21; ESPN, the Vikings, and nflverse have 13 of 22 for 108. AthX Engine Week 7 lines scored from nflverse weekly stats (CC-BY 4.0). Information only; not financial advice.*