The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 on Sunday, and like many wins this season, Will Reichard played a key role.
With three field goals in the afternoon, Reichard was able to help the Vikings overcome an uneven performance by Minnesota’s offense. But he also made history, setting a franchise record with his 36th straight converted field goal.
The 47-yard attempt in the second quarter surpassed Gary Anderson, who made 35 straight field goals during the 1998 season.
While that streak ended when a third-quarter attempt was blocked by Colts defensive lineman Grover Stewart, it adds to his growing legend, as he’s been near automatic since arriving in Minnesota.
Will Reichard set Vikings record for most consecutive field goals made vs. Colts
Reichard joined the Vikings as a sixth-round draft pick in 2024, and while it invoked memories of trading up for Daniel Carlson in 2018, the Alabama product has exorcised Minnesota’s kicking demons.
It started by converting 24-of-30 field goals during his rookie season, but all six of his misses came after he missed time with a quad injury. Last season, Reichard knocked down 33-of-35 field goals, and one of those misses came when his kick hit a camera wire during a Week 5 win over the Cleveland Browns in London.
While he missed a field goal in a Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, he hadn’t missed before Sunday’s game, which helped him finish the 2025 season 33-of-35 and had him ranked second in NFL history, trailing Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker (92.6 percent).
In Vikings history, Reichard has crossed paths with Anderson. Anderson’s 1998 season wasn’t just one of the best kicking seasons in Minnesota, but it’s also one of the best seasons in NFL history.
He made all 35 of his field goal attempts and all 59 of his extra points, and his performance contributed to one of the best offenses in the history of the league, putting up 164 of the 556 points the Vikings recorded that year.
But Anderson’s season also lives in infamy after he missed a field goal attempt with 2:07 remaining in the NFC Championship Game that would have put Minnesota up by 10 and virtually punched their ticket to the Super Bowl.
Instead, the Atlanta Falcons tied the game on the following drive and won in overtime, marking one of the most painful moments in Vikings history.
Will Reichard continues to be one of the Vikings’ most important players
Like Anderson, Reichard’s reputation could change drastically with one ill-timed miss. But for now, he’s the best kicker they’ve had since Anderson was drilling kicks 28 years ago.
When Reichard lines up, Vikings fans feel a sense of security, knowing the ball is probably going through the uprights, and for a team that featured a carousel under former head coach Mike Zimmer, it’s a welcome change of pace.
Reichard’s season also has more significance to this year’s team than Anderson’s did to the 1998 team.
That was true on Sunday when the Vikings won despite only putting up 275 yards of total offense, and it’s also a key component on a team that increasingly relies on its defense and special teams to win games.
Nobody knows what the final chapters of Reichard’s season will be, but it’s already creating a legend after the first six games.
If he continues to knock down field goals, Vikings fans may have to worry about something else as they march toward a playoff spot, and it could be one advantage Minnesota has as they look to make noise when they get there.
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