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The Vikings returned from their bye and re-entered the winner's circle Sunday with a 16-10 victory over the Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minnesota trailed narrowly at halftime for the second consecutive game but was able to open the fourth quarter with a spark from a 35-yard scramble by Kyler Murray and subsequent 5-yard TD pass to T.J. Hockenson for all those who celebrate "National Tight Ends Day."

Harrison Smith recorded his 40th career interception and returned it 15 yards near the Indianapolis 40-yard line. After he was tackled, Smith jogged to the other 40-yard line and put the ball on those numbers. It was a cool way to become the third member (since 1982) of the 40 INT/20 sacks club. He joined Hall of Famers Ronde Barber and Charles Woodson and further cemented his case for joining the duo in Canton.

The memorable play was part of another impressive closeout by the Vikings defense, which was led by a truly remarkable smörgåsbord of stats curated by Blake Cashman, who recorded 12 tackles, 2.0 sacks, three QB hits and four passes defensed, including a pair to help force a three-and-out on Indianapolis' second possession.

Minnesota has opened 6-0 for the first time since 2009 and is this season's last remaining unbeaten team in the NFL. San Francisco fell to 6-1 with a loss at Atlanta Sunday. Kansas City entered Week 7 at 5-0 but lost at Seattle Sunday night.

Lastly, congrats to "Voice of the Vikings" Paul Allen for calling his 500^th game with the team. It's a cool coincidence that someone who was "racetrack raised" did so involving a team that drew its nickname from Baltimore's horseracing heritage and transferred it to a city famous for 500 miles of auto racing.

I'll have a feature on "P.A." this week, so please keep an eye out for that.

Up next is the annual trip to Detroit, where the Lions defeated the Packers 20-17 Sunday. All NFC North teams remained above .500 on the season.

Most discerning Viking fans saw the trap game potential here. The Vikings on a roll, coming off a bye, getting healthy. The Colts reeling, coming off a crippling loss, GM fired. You had to know the Colts saw the trade speculation this week with several of their players projected to swap helmets. As soon as I saw the GM news for Indy, my thoughts went to 2018 and the game against Buffalo. The Vikings were heavily favored. Josh Allen was a struggling, young QB. The prior week, a Bills player quit at halftime. This was a game the Vikings should win easily. Then Josh Allen hurdled Anthony Barr. His career took off and the Vikings lost. Badly. The outcome was different today appropriately honoring announcer Paul Allen's Gjallarhorn-sounding prior to his 500^th Vikings game call.

John Madden often said that winning is a great deodorant. While true, this offense could use some Right Guard. Pun intended. Most of the numbers look decent. No giveaways. Over 100 yards rushing. Completion percentage near 60%. And a T.J. TD on National Tight Ends Day. But there were only two red zone opportunities, and just one of those accounted for a touchdown. And the biggest play on that drive was a QB scramble. The other alarming stat is 3-for-11 on third down. Indy was 8-for-15. Odds are, the stretch of opponents coming up won't allow those numbers to suffice. The defense was its usual suffocating self, following the obligatory early TD gash. And kudos to Harrison "Hitman" Smith for planting the ball on the 40-yard line marker after his game-sealing INT, the 40^th aerial theft of his career, making him one of three players with 40 picks and 20 sacks. Canton is waiting. Noteworthy: Blake Cashman could earn defensive honors this week. He was everywhere.

This brings me to the obligatory Will Reichard appreciation. I am confident I am not alone in being grateful the streak is over in a victory. No shame in missing (it was blocked) a 59-yard effort. And now he can begin a new streak that can hopefully carry into and through the playoffs. Yes. I said it. Playoffs. Cue Jim Mora in his Indy coaching days. If the Vikings finish the season by winning just under half of their remaining games, they will have 11 wins. That number typically puts a team in the postseason. Of course, the Vikings and their fans expect more than that. To win the division and have a look at the top seed, 12-14 wins seem a more likely goal. A healthy Vikings team can do it. But the offense needs to start smelling more daisy fresh and less stale sweaty sock.

Skol!

— Jeff in Sacramento

That 2018 Vikings-Bills game is often cited as a great example of a trap game, and I can still feel the snap of a couple others.

When I was in my second season with the Titans (2011), Tennessee entered Week 15 needing three wins to finish 10-6 and claim a playoff berth. Indy entered that contest 0-13 and won by 14, dropping the Titans to 7-7. The team won its final two but missed the playoffs via tiebreaker.

I'd venture to say most reading this have more intimate experience with the 2021 Vikings-Lions game in Detroit. Minnesota had an inside track on improving to 6-6 on the season but blew a late lead. Dan Campbell recorded his first victory as Lions head coach after an 0-10-1 start to his tenure.

All that to say I've developed a bit of radar for trap games, and Sunday started auspiciously, but there was no visible panic on the Vikings sideline.

Judging by comments after the game, the Vikings believe there is still plenty to improve, and there is a confidence that will continue to occur, particularly on offense where a couple near-misses once again could have made the stat sheet (and perhaps the scoreboard) look a little different.

Reichard's streak ended at 36 consecutive field goals but not before he passed Gary Anderson for the longest streak in franchise history. Credit the Colts for blocking the 59-yarder. I had hoped Minnesota would get a few yards on its third-down play to reduce the length of that attempt.

There was no hesitation in sending Reichard back out for a 52-yard FG that provided the game's final points with 1:39 remaining.

And in the words of Allen, it was time for Reichard to "start a streak anew."

Great to get back in action after the bye and mostly healthy, and get the win, too. Our offense continues to be better at FGs than TDs, which remains concerning. We also constantly waste cherry field position on offense. I hope we can do better going forward. I was also surprised at our weak defensive play on Colts third downs for most of the game. Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

UPS:

1. Great third down sack of Daniel Jones in the early second quarter. A real jailbreak where Dallas Turner and Harry got there together.

2. So much better offensive administration this game. It seemed like we had so many more snaps with plenty of play clock left when we were on the ball. Please keep doing that.

3. Hitman Harry's game-sealing interception.

DOWNS:

1. Third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 failures on our first drive, both times running right into the teeth of the Colts defense. Another wasted big kickoff return. Unimpressive.

2. Our third down defense was weak. Giving up third-and-longs all multiple times — all game long, and at the end of the half, too? Third-and-9+ was the Colts best chance all game?

3. We couldn't seal the game on offense in the fourth quarter.

Glad we won, but I remain worried about our offensive production. Looking forward to the Lions already.

Respectfully,

— Jeff L.

Watching the sack split by Turner and Smith was pretty funny. It seemed like Smith had Jones sized up nicely and was about to tackle the QB by himself, but the outside linebacker hit the IndyCar "Push-to-Pass" button (road/street courses only). The play was initially ruled a singular sack by Turner but was changed to be shared.

The Vikings were flagged just four times for 24 yards over the course of the game, so that's encouraging. As was a clean operation between snaps, which will again need to be on point in a raucous road environment Sunday.

The Vikings ripped a 46-yard kickoff return by Myles Price to open the game and start their first possession at the Indy 47.

Aaron Jones, Sr., picked up 7 on his first carry and followed with a gain of 2. He was stopped for no gain on third-and-1 up the middle and for a loss of 1 on fourth-and-1 by a burly Colts front.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about the sequence after the game.

"I think the hardest thing is a lot of our plays are can-system plays where maybe it's run-pass, maybe it's run-run, maybe it's activating Kyler in some capacity, so the hard thing as the play caller is when, you know, maybe we just got beat up front, maybe we didn't get the push we were expecting, but it's part of committing to it.

"I think a big part of it is how are we putting the plays together, that it might look like run, run, run, run to start the game, but we can't put it so much in the [opposing] defense's hands on ultimately what play we end up running when we have two plays called," O'Connell added. "That totally ends up being on me. I thought it was a huge early momentum chance lost coming off Jug's (Myles Price's) return, and to not get that new set of downs was very disappointing."

In summary, many Vikings plays have two options, and the quarterback can "can" an option based on the look provided by the defense. There's value in being able to do that, but it also sounds like knowing when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em (thanks again, Don Schlitz!) is part of the work in progress.

It's part of the reason why it's somewhat tough to just point to playcalling as the lone reason why an offense does or does not achieve the desired outcome.

Daniel Jones would have had a good understanding of Minnesota's approach and possibly could have relayed that to Colts defensive coaches.

6-0, and Skol to everyone.

All right … Let's take in and enjoy a Vikings win.

Love this team. To accentuate the positive:

1. Blake Cashman's game — stellar!!

2. The fight of the wide receivers for YAC!

3. Harry's 40th INT!!

To comment on the negative:

1. Colts dominated the line on both sides of the ball

2. The secondary got owned on third downs in man-to-man.

3. Kyler's height is an issue when he's trying to be a pocket passer.

This is a game we should have won — and found a way to do it. So proud of the team for that, but surviving a bad NFL team because their kicker missed twice is a gift and not a strategy. This offense still has not clicked. Taking Kyler out from under center seems to bring the best result, and I support that.

The next four games will tell us who we truly are and what chance we have competing for a title. I hope K.O. can unlock the potential of this offense.

— Mike in Arden Hills

It's nice that folks around Minnesota are sincerely appreciating the homegrown hero Cashman.

His command of Brian Flores' system and force-amplifier capabilities within it are an impressive showing.

While I'll usually contend that very few games in the NFL are cakewalks, one would probably look at the road ahead and predict it will become more challenging.

The next four contests are: at Detroit (the Lions are wearing their Rivalries uniforms), at home against the Bills (Adrian Peterson Ring of Honor and Monday Night Football), at Green Bay (the Packers want to even this year's Border Battle series) and against San Francisco (in Mexico on Sunday Night Football). The Vikings have numerous upcoming opportunities to show they are ready for prime time.

The most disappointing part of the defensive performance was the Colts ability to convert multiple third-and-longs, but Minnesota made sure to keep things in front of its players. The longest of 13 completions (on 22 attempts) allowed was a gain of 13.

Hope the Aaron Jones injury isn't serious. Don't you think Jonathon Taylor would look great in Purple, though?

— Mike D. in Twinsburg, Ohio

It was tough to see Aaron Jones finish his 17-yard scamper in pain. He hobbled off the field and into the blue medical tent for an evaluation of the same knee injury he's been battling through.

Jones finished with 26 yards on eight rushes and welcomed Jordan Mason back to the backfield. Mason rushed 15 times for 68 yards, including five carries for 25 in the fourth quarter.

Jones has proven to be critical time and time again this season, shouldering increased carries while Mason missed Weeks 2-5 with a hand injury that required surgery.

Given that Taylor is under contract, NFL rules limit what employees of other teams can say, but O'Connell did compliment Taylor after the game, so I'll relay what he said.

"They were going to run it and run it and run it. They've got one of the best backs in the National Football League, and there's times where he's on full display of why: vision, break, breaking tackles, all those things," O'Connell said. "We just kept trying to get hats to the ball."

Taylor finished with 95 yards on 18 rushes, highlighted by his 38-yard TD run to end Indy's first possession of the game. He added two receptions for 15 yards.

The 2026 NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10, which gives teams a couple more weeks to determine their most important needs and make any offers to address any spots on the roster.

It's great to win 6 games!! Our defense is lights out!!

Huge concern for the offense though. Two steps forward, and one step back.

What do you think it's going to take to get more consistency??

Too many weapons and veterans on this team to not be better in these situations!!

SKOL!!

Here's to The Hitman!!

— RaysVikes! In Yankton, South Dakota

The offense is doing the most important thing: protecting the football. Sunday was the third game so far in which Minnesota has not committed a turnover.

Smith's interception happened late, but it extended O'Connell's record to 41-4 when Minnesota wins or breaks even in turnover margin.

The defense and special teams have been elite, but it is likely there will be times when the offense will need to answer an opponent's touchdown. It also is quite helpful when the offense can score early and let the defense play with a lead.

I know it's Week 8, but time on task together is still relatively low because of how many injuries that have occurred on that side of the football.

Refinements will continue, whether that's play selection or execution within each snap.

Major shoutout to Harrison Smith for:

1. Returning for another season with the Vikings.

2. Sealing the deal against the Colts.

You made an old man very happy.

40 interceptions! Huge accomplishment. Congratulations!

As usual, I was glad to see the names of our Purple players from the past.

Ed Sharockman recorded 7 picks one year and got snubbed by not being on the Pro Bowl. That still bugs me. BONUS: he defended a fourth-down pass against the Colts to ice a Monday night game. I think the final score was 10-3 Vikings.

Krause has the club record for picks but also the NFL record as well with 81. Even though the game is considerably more pass friendly and they've added games to the schedule, ain't nobody gonna get close to that record! Over twice what Harrison Smith has.

I'm still concerned about the offense or lack thereof as I assume many Viking fans are. God bless Reichard! We would not be 6-0 without him. I'm not sure what if any personnel moves will transpire by Nov. 10, but something has to come to pass or our inconsistencies on offense will catch up with us quick. Excuses ain't gonna cut it. I'm 69 and watched them lose four Super Bowls, which they haven't even been to in 50 years. At my age, I get sick and tired of "wait til next year." C'mon guys! Let's get a ring!

— Jason G. in Gallipolis, Ohio

For those who may have missed this caveat, Smith tied Ed Sharockman for the third most interceptions in Vikings history. Only Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause (53) and Ring of Honor cornerback Bobby Bryant (51) recorded more.

Sharockman put together multiple seasons with impressive stats, recording five separate seasons with at least five interceptions. He was an "original" Viking having been selected in the fifth round of the 1961 NFL Draft and racked up 804 yards on his interception returns. That 10-3 game mentioned by Jason? This past Sunday was the 55^th anniversary.

Krause's NFL mark of 81 is one of the most unreachable records in sports. I've talked with Smith a few times as he's boosted his total for more than a decade. He might not be done increasing that number, but it's quite wild how such a storied career is at the midpoint of Krause's tally.

I could not watch, but I heard Paul Allen, and he is great. Two nicknames he had were "Kyler the Creator" and Harry "The Pickman" Smith. 6-0 is 6-0. I want to see us score multiple touchdowns in a game. I love the rotations we have on our team. Multiple players get to stay fresh, which will help us in the long run. It is good to see Jordan Mason out there plugging away and getting those hard yards.

— Gerald Goblirsch

Allen brought tremendous enthusiasm to sounding the Gjallarhorn and called a few plays from the ceremonial perch before returning to the "Vox Box." His nicknames have been authentic and enjoyed over the years, including Harry the Hitman, which the safety has continuously earned.

The defensive rotations component probably hasn't been credited enough. At one point, Cashman (likely his best game ever) was able to get a bit of rest because the Vikings could turn to Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace, Jr., and the group did not suffer.

Minnesota has consistently kept defensive line players fresh and impactful through its first six games of a long slate.

I compared the Vikings fourth quarter defense, which has only allowed three points through six games, to "Enter Sandman" level of closer, an homage to MLB saves king Mariano Rivera.

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