For three quarters on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings could not find a big play against Indianapolis. Kyler Murray made one himself. On the first snap of the fourth quarter, facing third-and-8 at the Colts’ 40, the quarterback pulled the ball down and ran 35 yards, and a few plays later he threw the touchdown that gave Minnesota its first lead in a 16-10 win at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The victory keeps the Vikings unbeaten at 6-0, their best start since 2009, and stretches their winning run to 11 games, the longest active streak in the league.
The run that changed the game
Until that scramble, nothing Minnesota tried had gained anywhere near as much ground. Instead of a likely punt, Minnesota had a first down deep in Indianapolis territory. The drive ended with a 5-yard scoring pass to T.J. Hockenson, and the Colts never scored again.
QB Kyler Murray on his 35-yard scramble in win against the Colts pic.twitter.com/UJAjLuyDBh
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 25, 2026
Asked after the game about stressing defenses when a play breaks down, Murray kept it simple. “If coach calls my number I’m ready for it,” he said, a sign that the Vikings are comfortable letting their quarterback use his legs as a weapon when the passing game stalls.
His passing line, 150 yards and one touchdown on 14 completions in 24 attempts, was efficient rather than spectacular, on a day when the offense leaned on Jordan Mason’s 68 rushing yards and lost Aaron Jones Sr. to a knee injury.
Trust in the defense
Murray also spent part of his press conference praising the unit on the other side of the ball. “Nothing that they do surprises me,” he said of a Minnesota defense that held Indianapolis scoreless after halftime and allowed only 48 net yards in the fourth quarter. Across six games, the Vikings have now given up just three points in fourth quarters.
"Nothing that they do surprises me" – QB Kyler Murray on the #Vikings defense pic.twitter.com/PTG48HKch7
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 25, 2026
That defense finished the job. Will Reichard kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:39 left to make it a six-point game, and with 1:15 remaining safety Harrison Smith picked off Daniel Jones around the 50 to seal it. It was the 40th interception of Smith’s career.
What it means for Murray
Sunday showed what Murray’s role in this offense looks like in a tight game: avoid mistakes, make one decisive play and trust the defense to protect a late lead. For a team that keeps winning close games, that has been enough. His full season numbers are on his WhyNFL player page.
Indianapolis fell to 2-5, losing a game it led at halftime.
What comes next
The Vikings visit the Detroit Lions in an NFC North game on Sunday, November 1, at 1 p.m. EST. The Colts travel to Jacksonville the same afternoon. The full result is in the Game Center.
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