Football

Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday didn't pinpoint one specific thing that went wrong for his team in its historic 39-36 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Saturday said there is "plenty of blame to go around" after the Colts blew a 33-point lead, the largest cushion to be relinquished in NFL history.

Amid an already-disappointing season, Saturday's loss may be the low point for the Colts in 2022.

They did take advantage of sloppy play from the Vikings, returning a blocked punt and an interception for touchdowns en route to a 33-0 lead at halftime.

Even after the Vikings got their first touchdown midway through the third quarter, Indianapolis had a win probability of 99.6 percent.

Since 1930, teams that have led by at least 30 points were 1,548-1-1 in NFL history coming into Saturday, per the NFL Network telecast. The Vikings scored 36 points in the second half to force overtime. Greg Joseph's 40-yard field goal as time expired capped off the largest comeback in league history.

The Colts joined the Houston Oilers as the only teams to lose a game they led by at least 30 points. The Oilers' loss was "The Comeback" playoff game against the Buffalo Bills in January 1993.

Buffalo scored 35 points in the second half to erase a 35-3 deficit. Steve Christie kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime to send the Bills to the AFC Divisional Round.

The Colts had multiple opportunities to put the game away in the fourth quarter. Deon Jackson fumbled the ball on 1st-and-10 with 3:28 remaining, and Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan recovered it.

After Indianapolis' defense forced a turnover on downs, the offense got into Minnesota territory with under three minutes remaining in regulation. Saturday called for a quarterback sneak on 4th-and-1 that would have allowed the Colts to run out the clock if they picked it up, but Matt Ryan was stopped on a quarterback sneak.

On the next play, Dalvin Cook took a screen from Kirk Cousins for a 64-yard score to make it 36-34. Cousins found T.J. Hockenson in the end zone on a two-point conversion to tie the game.

The Colts gained a total of 128 yards on 10 offensive possessions in the second half and overtime, including a kneel down on the final play of regulation.

The past two games have been devastating in very different ways for Saturday and the Colts. They allowed the Dallas Cowboys to score 33 points in the fourth quarter to turn a 21-19 game into a 54-19 blowout.

After having a bye last week, the Colts responded with the most improbable loss the NFL has ever seen.

It only took the Minnesota Vikings 14 games to clinch the NFC North and earn a playoff spot.

The Vikings (11-3) officially won the division Saturday with a miraculous 39-36 comeback victory over Indianapolis Colts.

Down 33-0 at halftime, the Vikings charged back to score 14 points in the third quarter and 22 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime, where Greg Joseph hit a 40-yard field goal to cap things.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 34 of 54 passes for 460 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions in the win. C.J. Ham, K.J. Osborn, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen all recorded touchdowns.

The win is the largest comeback in NFL history, and it led to NFL Twitter being stunned by one of the greatest games of the year:

The only question is which playoff seed they'll secure.

The top overall seed in the NFC is still up for grabs, with the Vikings looking to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles (12-1). With the NFL moving to seven playoff teams per conference last year, only the top seed gets a first-round bye alongside home-field advantage.

So, while Minnesota will be pleased with its division crown, there's more work to be done to earn the crucial top spot in the NFC.

The Vikings will be happy with how far they've come this season, though, after finishing 8-9 last year and missing the playoffs for the second straight campaign. That ended the Mike Zimmer era, who led the team to the postseason three times in his eight-year tenure as head coach.

In came Kevin O'Connell, and the result has been a team that has emerged as one of the NFL's top contenders.

Of course, having an explosive playmaker at wideout in Jefferson doesn't hurt, nor does complementary pieces Cook, Thielen and T.J. Hockenson, who was acquired in a midseason trade with the Detroit Lions to bolster tight end.

And while Cousins is hardly among the NFL's elite quarterbacks, he's played well enough to keep the Vikings rolling. Ditto for the defense.

Add it all up, and you have a Vikings team that wrapped up the NFC North in December. Now, the question is whether this group will still be playing come February.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was ruled out against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday after he suffered an ankle injury on the opening drive of the game.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Taylor was initially listed as questionable to return before going back to the locker room for further evaluation. He was officially ruled out in the second quarter.

Schefter reported after the game that Taylor was diagnosed with a sprained ankle, adding that Taylor's status for the rest of the season could be in doubt given the Colts' 4-9-1 record despite the injury not being considered major.

Taylor missed Weeks 5 and 6 of this season because of an ankle injury. He returned for Weeks 7 and 8 but suffered a reaggravation of the ailment during the team's 17-16 loss to the Washington Commanders on Oct. 30.

The former University of Wisconsin star was then ruled out for Week 9 against the New England Patriots because of the injury.

Taylor broke out in his second NFL season last year thanks to a league-high 2,171 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns. His 1,811 rushing yards (on 5.5 yards per carry) also led the NFL. He enjoyed Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year and All-Pro honors.

However, the 2022 campaign has not gone nearly as well. Through 10 games, Taylor has gained just 991 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. His rushing yards per game has gone from 106.5 down to 86.1, and he's averaging a full yard lower per carry (4.5).

The Colts' offensive issues are far greater than one player and certainly not Taylor's fault. Indianapolis made both midseason offensive coordinator and quarterback changes in hopes of jump-starting a unit that is 31st in the NFL in scoring. The offensive line has also not performed as well.

Ultimately, the Colts are a better team with a healthy Taylor, but for the time being, it'll be up to Deon Jackson to lead the way. He's been featured heavily in the pass game (20 receptions, 124 yards) and has rushed for 136 yards and a score.

Third-year pro Zack Moss should also be in the mix too.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly expected to start Mitch Trubisky at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Steelers rookie starting quarterback Kenny Pickett was still in concussion protocol and doubtful for Sunday's game, necessitating the move to Trubisky. ESPN's Brooke Pryor later followed up with news that the Steelers had officially ruled Pickett out for the game.

Trubisky and Mason Rudolph reportedly split first-team snaps at practice this week, but rather than Rudolph getting his first start of the season, Trubisky is in line to earn his fifth.

After Pickett was knocked out of last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion, Trubisky completed 22 of his 30 passes for 276 yards, which was his highest yardage total in a game this season.

He threw only one touchdown compared to three interceptions, however, playing a role in Pittsburgh's 16-14 loss.

Trubisky, who spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears and one as Josh Allen's backup with the Buffalo Bills, signed a two-year, $14.3 million deal with the Steelers during the offseason.

Pittsburgh later selected Pickett with the No. 20 pick in the 2022 draft, and the hope was Trubisky would bridge the gap until Pickett was ready.

Instead, Trubisky struggled out of the gates, going 1-3 as a starter over the first four weeks of the season before losing the starting job to Pickett.

In four starts and six appearances this season, Trubisky has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,073 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

Trubisky was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft, and while he led the Bears to the playoffs in 2018 and 2020, he hasn't come close to living up to expectations.

While the 24-year-old Pickett is younger and potentially has a bright future, he hasn't been much better by comparison.

Pickett is 4-5 as a starter and has completed 65.0 percent of his passes for 1,797 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has done far more damage with his legs, though, rushing for 225 yards and three scores.

The Steelers are just 5-8, and they likely need to win out to have even the slightest chance of reaching the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

Given that the Steelers have no margin for error, head coach Mike Tomlin may have a quick hook on Trubisky in favor of Rudolph against Carolina.

Ahead of Saturday night's game against the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills tweeted photos of their snow-covered stadium.

After heavy snowfall overnight and throughout the day Saturday, Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, resembled a winter wonderland.

Southern Erie County, which is the location of Orchard Park, has a lake-effect snow warning until Monday afternoon, and the forecast calls for snow before, during and after Saturday's game.

Per AccuWeather, four to eight inches of snow are expected to accumulate during the day and another one to three inches to come Saturday night.

Wind gusts could reach up to 21 mph, and there will be a low temperature of 29 degrees with a real-feel temperature of 15 degrees due to the wind chill.

Andy Slater of Fox Sports added that the National Weather Service is expecting the heaviest snow in Orchard Park on Saturday to take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, which will be during the game.

The National Weather Service also reported the possibility of thundersnow, which is a phenomenon that happened in Buffalo during a blizzard last month.

By comparison, AccuWeather is calling for a high of 77 degrees and a low of 71 degrees in Miami on Saturday.

While the conditions in the Buffalo area won't be as bad as they were last month when a scheduled home game against the Cleveland Browns had to be moved to Detroit, there still figures to be enough snow and wind to impact the game significantly.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa downplayed playing in the snow this week, noting that it snowed when he attended college at the University of Alabama, but he likely hasn't experienced what he will see Saturday night.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen is far more acclimated to the snow after spending the past several years in Buffalo, perhaps giving the Bills a leg up in a hugely important game.

With a win, the 10-3 Bills can clinch a playoff spot on Saturday, and while a victory would not clinch the AFC East, it would move them to 11-3 and the second-place Dolphins to 8-6 with only three games to play.

Russell Wilson will not be on the field for the Denver Broncos in Week 15.

Wilson was officially listed as out on Friday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Broncos quarterback passed the concussion protocol, but will not play, per Broncos team reporter Aric DiLalla.

Wilson has been in concussion protocol all week after he suffered the head injury in Week 14.

While Wilson will not be on the field, Tee Higgins is trending in the right direction to play on Sunday.

Higgins was at the center of a controversial circumstance last week, as he played a single snap before leaving the field.

The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver practiced on Friday in what could be viewed as a positive development ahead of Sunday.

Below is a look at updates on the other significant fantasy football stars dealing with injuries ahead of Week 15.

• Russell Wilson, QB, DEN: out (concussion)
• Tee Higgins, WR, CIN: questionable (hamstring)
  
• Tyler Boyd, WR, CIN: questionable (finger)
  
• Jakobi Meyers, WR, NE: returned to practice Friday (concussion), per NESN's Zack Cox
  
• Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE: returned to practice Friday, per Cox
  
• Damien Harris, RB, NE: limited in practice (thigh), per NFL.com.
  
• Marquise Brown, WR, ARI: questionable (illness)
  
• Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT: not listed on injury report (foot)
  
• Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT: not listed on injury report (hip)
  
• David Montgomery, RB, CHI: not listed on injury report (Illness)
  
• Dameon Pierce, RB, HOU: out (ankle)
  
• Jeff Wilson, RB, MIA: questionable (hip)
  
• Kenny Pickett, QB, PIT: doubtful (concussion)
  
• DJ Moore, WR, CAR: questionable (ankle)
  
• Chase Claypool, WR, CHI: out (knee)

Russell Wilson Practices Friday

Russell Wilson will not play on Sunday.

He will be replaced by Brett Rypien for the clash with the Arizona Cardinals.

Rypien threw a touchdown pass in relief of Wilson, but he only had 16 yards and completed four of his eight pass attempts in Week 14.

Rypien had 225 passing yards and no touchdown passes in his lone start this season in Week 7 against the New York Jets.

Jeudy and Greg Dulcich are most affected by Wilson's absence. Courtland Sutton is out for Sunday. Running back Latavius Murray carries a bit more fantasy value.

Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder and Andy Dalton are among the potential waiver-wire candidates to add at quarterback.

Tee Higgins Listed as Questionable

Tee Higgins is officially listed as questionable for the Cincinnati Bengals' matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Higgins is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out for most of last week's game against the Cleveland Browns.

He did practice on Friday, as well as teammate and fellow wide receiver Tyler Boyd, which is a positive sign for his hopes to play on Sunday.

Higgins played one snap last week and then did not feature in the AFC North to the ire of fantasy football players.

There may be some lost trust between fantasy players and the Bengals regarding Higgins' status for Week 15.

Higgins produced back-to-back 100-yard games in Weeks 11 and 12 and scored three times in five weeks leading up to Week 14.

Higgins could play a large role in the Cincinnati offense, as usual, if he does see the field against Tampa Bay.

If he can't play, Michael Gallup, Elijah Moore and Mack Hollins are among the players to pick up off the waiver wire.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd had an understandable reaction to the dislocated finger he suffered during Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns.

"I kind of went in shock," Boyd said Thursday, per Ben Baby of ESPN. "I never really had any major injuries, thank god, let alone being able to see a bone. So, it kind of threw me off."

The bone broke through his skin and forced him to miss most of the contest, but Baby noted he has practiced in a limited capacity this week with a game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule.

Fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins, who missed all but one snap during the win over Cleveland, has been limited with a hamstring injury, so having Boyd available will be critical.

Otherwise, more of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Ja'Marr Chase, who is as well suited to thrive in such a situation as almost any wide receiver in the league. He posted 10 catches for 119 yards and one touchdown against the Browns and appears to be fully healthy after missing time earlier in the season.

Trenton Irwin also caught a touchdown against the Browns and could see more time if Boyd or Higgins is out.

Cincinnati is one of the hottest teams in the NFL with five wins in a row and a 9-4 record. It is tied with the Baltimore Ravens with a head-to-head showdown in Week 18 looming, and the team is in championship-or-bust mode after reaching the Super Bowl last season.

One reason the Bengals are so dangerous is their wide receiver group of Chase, Higgins and Boyd, and having them all on the field is their best chance to win the Lombardi Trophy.

It seems as if Boyd is trending toward playing against the Buccaneers even if he is battling through a shocking injury.