NFL Twitter explodes after Colts snag instant lead off blocked punt (Video)
The Indianapolis Colts kicked off their matchup against the Minnesota Vikings with a bang — specifically, a blocked punt for a touchdown.
The Minnesota Vikings have only lost three times this season, but when they have, the disparity fostered questions of the team’s playoff mettle.
A 24-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. A 40-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. A 34-23 loss to the Detroit Lions last week. And in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, the Vikings sunk to 17-0 in the first quarter alone.
A quick field goal put the Colts at an early advantage, but it was the blocked punt on a scoreless Minnesota drive that got the Colts in the end zone.
WE LOVE A SPECIAL TEAMS TD.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 17, 2022
📺: NFLN pic.twitter.com/hHzPjus0xs
Poetically, it was former Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo who blocked the punt, while linebacker JoJo Domann caught it and ran like the win for the Colts’ first non-offensive touchdown all season.
NFL Twitter explodes after Colts snag instant lead off blocked punt
Understandably, Vikings Twitter wasn’t thrilled about how the momentum swung so early in Indy’s favor.
Uh oh. Not what we expected today: A special teams disaster for the Vikings. A 49-yard kickoff return sets up the Colts' first score, and now a 24-yard return of a blocked punt gives the Colts a 10-0 lead less than halfway through the first quarter.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 17, 2022
Absolutely disastrous start from the Vikings' special teams. After a long kickoff return to open the game, the Colts just blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Former Viking Ifeadi Odenigbo blocked it.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 17, 2022
10-0.
Anudder day of misery for Vikings fans https://t.co/xVlWavw0i5
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 17, 2022
Indianapolis observers saw it differently, of course, noting the players and coaches who made the dazzling turnover possible.
Ifeadi Odenigbo deflected punt, JoJo Domann grabbed it. TD. Just like that, Colts 10-0.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) December 17, 2022
Bubba's group is pretty good. Even during tough season.
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo blocks the punt and LB JoJo Domann catches it and returns it for a TD. #Colts now lead 10-0 with 8:12 left in the 1Q.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) December 17, 2022
Unbelievable play. First time Indy's scored a non-offensive TD all season.
As per usual, the rest of NFL Twitter was simply there for the chaos.
Billy, this is the Minnesota Vikings
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 17, 2022
They’re 10-3. Their defect is that they’re terrible at football. pic.twitter.com/IERm2XqXTy
When the Vikings play bad, they play BAD.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 17, 2022
Do we have to let the Vikings into the playoffs?
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) December 17, 2022
gotta like the Colts odds of winning on a Saturday, the day literally named after their beloved interim head coach
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) December 17, 2022
Colts block the punt, scoop and score for a 10-0 lead #INDvsMIN pic.twitter.com/8TqpzLrJHi
— BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) December 17, 2022
After a vintage Matt Ryan drive full of chunk plays, Deon Jackson graced the end zone for another quick score. All this success came without Jonathan Taylor, who exited early with an ankle injury.
Colts fans watching Jonathan Taylor head to the medical tent: pic.twitter.com/hFui7ZRWaa
— Legion Sports Management (@thelegionsm) December 17, 2022
While the Taylor news is distressing for Indianapolis, Colts fans can hold onto the fact that they’ve seized a sizable lead within the first half — one that the Vikings may not be able to overcome.
In addition to football, rooting for the underdog will always be an American pastime, and a Jeff Saturday win on Saturday is too auspicious for it to not happen.
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