3 Colts to blame after blowing largest lead in NFL history

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

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Colts assistant coach and former Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley (Bob Self/Florida Times-Union) /

3 Colts to blame after blowing the largest lead in NFL history

No. 2: Gus Bradley, Defensive Coordinator

Surrendering 36 points in two quarters of football? Fans immediately look towards the defensive coordinator, who is supposed to scheme up plays to prevent this from happening. Gus Bradley just so happens to be leading Indianapolis’ defense.

Indianapolis did a great job in the first half in limiting Minnesota’s offense. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was limited to just 43 passing yards through the first two quarters while completing 6-of-12 pass attempts. That was a solid effort by Bradley’s squad.

Then the second half and overtime happened.

Cousins threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns while completing 28-of-42 pass attempts in the second half and overtime. In fact, NFL Next Gen Stats says, Cousins capitalized on the Colts defense leaving receivers open.

Kirk Cousins helped lead the Vikings to the largest comeback in NFL history, generating the 2nd-most passing EPA in a 2nd half/OT by a QB this season (+20.6).

Cousins targeted open receivers at more than 2x the rate after halftime (52.4%) than before (25.0%).#INDvsMIN | #Skol pic.twitter.com/K9jW7MKqLz
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 17, 2022

Yes, the offense barely did anything to give the defense a breather in the second half, but the defense can’t surrender a lead this huge.

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