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          Pick-six by Colts' Julian Blackmon adds to Vikings' list of miscues

          • Stephen Holder, ESPNDec 17, 2022, 07:18 PM
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              Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.

          MINNEAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts scored their second non-offensive touchdown of the day when safety Julian Blackmon intercepted Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins' wayward pass attempt, returning it for a 17-yard touchdown. The Colts lead the Vikings, 30-0.

          Cousins was targeting Jalen Reagor on the stop route, but Cousins threw inaccurately, leaving the ball wide to Reagor's left. That essentially put it right in Blackmon's chest, making for an easy interception.

          The Colts have given Cousins fits today. He completed just 6 of his first 12 attempts for 43 yards and has been sacked three times.

          Meanwhile, in the first quarter, the Colts blocked a punt that was plucked from the air by linebacker JoJo Domann, who returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.

          Defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo managed to penetrate the line from the inside and got a hand on punter Ryan Wright's attempt.

          The deflection sent the ball flying up in the air, allowing Domann to easily catch it on the run.

          The Colts have sorely needed non-offensive touchdowns this season given their struggling offense, which ranks 31st in scoring.