Sam Darnold overcame four sacks and three turnovers by throwing three second-half touchdown passes, and the Minnesota defense made Indianapolis quarterback Joe Flacco’s return to the starting role a rough one as the Vikings beat the Colts 21-13.

Malik Hooker returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown against his former team in a 33-point fourth quarter for Dallas, propelling the Cowboys to a 54-19 rout of the Indianapolis Colts.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) jumps over Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)LAS VEGAS – Frank Reich found himself regularly amazed while he watched everything his Indianapolis Colts accomplished in their first trip to Sin City. He also marveled at the breakaway speed of Jonathan Taylor, who outran the Raiders' entire secondary on a 62-yard TD sprint. Moreau eluded two defenders on a 47-yard catch-and-run TD shortly before Agholor's 21-yard TD reception put the Raiders up 14-10 early in the second quarter. BIG CATCHMoore blew both teams' minds with his interception in the second quarter.

Indianapolis Colts middle linebacker Anthony Walker (54) celebrates with teammates after he recovered a fumble by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)HOUSTON – With their offense sputtering in the second half Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts turned to their defense to seal a win over the Houston Texans. Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes in the first half and the defense dominated after that, lifting the Colts to the 26-20 victory. Their offense didn't score after that, but the defense held Houston (4-8) scoreless in the second half and Justin Houston added a safety with a sack of Watson in the end zone. With Sunday's shutout in the second half, the Colts are allowing an average of 7.33 points in the second half of games this season.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Detroit. Rivers threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter to help the Colts surge past Detroit for a 41-21 victory Sunday following a first quarter in which they averaged a little more than 1 yard rushing on 10 carries. Rivers threw passes to 11 teammates. Hines had so much energy he celebrated each of his two touchdowns in the second quarter with moves that would make a gymnast proud, pulling off roundoffs into full twists in the end zone. Three plays later, Rivers threw a 7-yard, tiebreaking touchdown pass to Jack Doyle.

The Patriots, who can extend their NFL record to 11 consecutive playoff berths with a win, will also be missing a key offensive cog. ___KANSAS CITY-NEW ENGLANDChiefs: RB Damien Williams, CB Rashad Fenton, CB Morris Claiborne, OL Jackson Barton, OL Nick Allegretti, TE Deon Yelder, QB Chad Henne. Patriots: C Ted Karras, DL Byron Cowart, CB Joejuan Williams, QB Cody Kessler, OL Korey Cunningham, TE Ryan Izzo, RB Damien Harris. Bills: RB T.J. Yeldon, S Dean Marlowe, OG Ike Boettger, RT Ty Nsekhe, WR Duke Williams, TE Tommy Sweeney, DT Vincent Taylor. Packers: WR Ryan Grant, CB Kevin King, RB Dexter Williams, CB Tony Brown, CB Ka'dar Hollman, G/T Adam Pankey, T Yosh Nijman.