Sometimes these interconference games don’t carry a lot of weight. This one, however, does. The NFC North is so competitive this year that the Vikings are in third place even though they are 5-2. In fact, all four teams are over .500.

On the Colts side, they just made a huge decision to bench Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco. At 4-4, they sit in second place in the AFC South and are still in the hunt to win the division. If you make “win now” moves, you better win now. Otherwise, the fan base is not going to be pleased.

That sets us up for a pretty interesting game here on Sunday Night Football. Joe Flacco and Sam Darnold get another crack at starting in the NFL. Let’s dig into the data and narratives to come up with our best bet and predictions for Week 9 Sunday Night Football between the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings!

Even if you just want to see the Colts vs. Vikings odds and have Colts vs. Vikings picks of your own, don’t forget to scroll down at the end to see how you can scoop up a $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook sign-up bonus!

 

 

 

Colts vs. Vikings Predictions For NFL Week 9, Sunday Night Football 11/3

Given that these are not division opponents, they generally would only play every four years unless they meet in the Super Bowl. But, with the 17th game added to the NFL schedule, they are playing again here despite having played in 2022. The Vikings won the last matchup in overtime in a 39-36 thriller but, naturally, those were very different teams with different quarterbacks.

Joe Flacco so far has won two of his three starts, beating the Titans and Steelers while losing 37-34 in a tight one with the Jaguars. The Vikings won five straight before losing to the Lions and then the Rams over the last two weeks.

 

 

 

Indianapolis Colts: The Return of Joe Flacco

Last year the Joe Flacco story was an easy one to root for. The starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, was hurt and also not a particularly likeable player. This year is a little more divisive as Anthony Richardson is healthy and viewed as the future by many.

One thing is not up for debate - Flacco has been the better passer. Obviously, he doesn’t add the mobile element Richardson does but he’s completing 65% of his passes while Richardson is sitting at a league worst 44.4%. Flacco has also thrown multiple touchdown passes in all three games. Josh Downs has been especially involved when Flacco is in charge.

On defense the Colts have struggled pretty mightily against the pass but have been okay against the run. They don’t have a corner that can shadow or square up Justin Jefferson one vs. one but the Colts run zone 75% of the time anyway which is top five in the league. So it will be a team effort.

 

 

 

Minnesota Vikings: The Return of T.J. Hockenson

Sam Darnold has already looked pretty good this year. Now he gets another big target in T.J. Hockenson. He’s playing his first game after tearing his ACL last season, but if he can return to form, the grouping of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones is one of the most formidable pass-catching groups in the league.

The big knock for Minnesota is the loss of tackle Christian Darrisaw. You really can’t just replace a guy like that, but they will attempt to try after trading for Cam Robinson from the Jaguars. T.J. Hockenson should also help hold down that edge but there’s no doubt this is a tough loss.

As good as the offense has been, the Vikings defense has actually been the standout unit this year. Brian Flores has done an incredible job working with what he has as the Vikings actually rank 1st in DVOA against both the pass and the run this year per FTN Fantasy.

 

 

 

Colts vs. Vikings Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As promised, the latest Colts vs. Vikings odds can be found below courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook:

 

Colts vs. Vikings: Vikings -5.5 (-105 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

There has been some money coming in on the Colts, especially since Joe Flacco was named the starter. But I’m just not buying it. Every game he’s been in has been a close one, sure. They were all decided by 3 points, in fact. But we are talking about teams like the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars here (who he lost too). The Steelers win was against a Justin Fields led offense.

The Colts entire organization has a lot riding on this one with the pivot to Joe Flacco. But the 5-2 Minnesota Vikings are just too good of a team right now across the board. Justin Jefferson could have an absolute field day against one of the worst secondaries in the league. And I just don’t think the Colts will be able to answer against Brian Flores’s defense.

 

 

 

Colts vs. Vikings Injury Report & Latest News

Finally, let’s take a quick look at the projected starting lineups for both teams heading into tonight’s matchup:

IND Colts

MIN Vikings

 

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