December 22, 2024

Sport and Betting News

Prediction, Pick, and Odds for Sunday Night Football Matchup between Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings

14 mins
  • We’ve made our Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings prediction for Sunday Night Football
  • The latest IND vs MIN odds favor the Vikings by 5.5 points at home
  • Read below for Colts vs Vikings prediction, odds and expert picks

The Indianapolis Colts (4-4) travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) in a massive Week 9 matchup on Sunday Night Football. Both teams are looking to bounce back from losses, with the Colts falling 23-20 to Houston last week and the Vikings dropping their last two games after a 5-0 start.

The Colts enter with a quarterback change, as veteran Joe Flacco takes over for the benched Anthony Richardson. Meanwhile, the Vikings look to get back on track at home behind Sam Darnold and a potent passing attack.

Here is a look at our Colts vs Vikings prediction, along with the betting lines for Sunday Night Football.

Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Colts +5.5 (-110) +200 Over 46.5 (-110)
Vikings -5.5 (-110) -250 Under 46.5 (-110)

The Colts vs Vikings odds show Minnesota as a 5.5-point favorite, meaning they need to win by six or more points to cover the spread. The Vikings have a 71.4% implied win probability based on the moneyline odds.

This line has seen some movement since opening. The Vikings were initially installed as 6.5-point favorites, but the spread has dropped a full point to 5.5. The quarterback change in Indianapolis and Minnesota’s recent struggles likely contributed to this shift.

The total has held steady at 46.5 points. With Joe Flacco taking over for the Colts and Sam Darnold leading a potent Vikings passing attack, oddsmakers seem to expect a moderately high-scoring affair.

Odds as of November 2, 2024, at BetMGM Sportsbook. Unlock the BetMGM promo code to bet on Colts-Vikings.

Colts Betting Analysis

The Colts enter this game with a 4-4 record, coming off a narrow 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans. In a surprising move, head coach Shane Steichen announced that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco will start over Anthony Richardson, who struggled mightily last week.

Indianapolis has been one of the most profitable teams against the spread this season, boasting an impressive 7-1 ATS record. However, their straight-up record of 4-4 indicates they’ve been competitive in close games without always coming out on top.

The Colts’ offense ranks 19th in points per game (21.9) and 17th in total yards (326.0). Jonathan Taylor leads the ground game with 454 yards and five touchdowns, while Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce are the top receiving threats.

Defensively, Indianapolis has struggled, allowing 26.5 points per game (28th in NFL). They’ll face a tough test against Minnesota’s high-powered passing attack, especially with a vulnerable pass defense allowing 7.1 yards per attempt.

Vikings Betting Analysis

The Vikings come into Week 9 with a 5-2 record, looking to bounce back from consecutive losses to Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams. Despite the recent setbacks, Minnesota has been solid against the spread, covering in five of their seven games this season.

Sam Darnold leads the Vikings’ offense, which ranks 7th in scoring at 26.9 points per game. Justin Jefferson remains the top receiving threat with 646 yards and five TDs, while Aaron Jones paces the ground game with 501 yards and two scores.

Defensively, Minnesota has been opportunistic, ranking 1st in the NFL with 12 interceptions. They also lead the league in QB hurries and hits, with 24 sacks on the season. This aggressive approach could pose problems for Joe Flacco and the Colts’ offensive line.

The Vikings have been particularly strong at home, winning 10 of their last 11 November games against AFC opponents. However, they’ll be without left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear last week.

Colts vs Vikings Prediction

While the Vikings are favored in this matchup, there are some intriguing betting angles to consider. The Colts have been excellent against the spread this season, and Joe Flacco’s veteran presence could provide a spark to the offense.

However, Minnesota’s aggressive defense and home-field advantage make them tough to bet against. The Vikings’ ability to generate pressure and force turnovers could be the difference-maker, especially against a Colts team making a mid-season quarterback change.

One interesting trend to note is Minnesota’s strong first-quarter performances. The Vikings have won the first quarter in each of their last seven games. With the Colts potentially taking time to adjust to Flacco under center, there could be value in backing Minnesota early.

Ultimately, I like Minnesota to etch out a home victory, but I’m torn on the -5.5 number. Instead, my best bet is on the first quarter line. Look for Minnesota to come out strong following two losses and build an early lead against a Colts team in transition.

SNF Picks:

  • Vikings -0.5 1st Quarter (-105 at
    BetMGM

    )

The highly anticipated Sunday Night Football matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings is set to be a thrilling game that fans won’t want to miss. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.

The Indianapolis Colts have been on a roll lately, winning their last three games in a row. Led by veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, the Colts offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging 28.3 points per game. Running back Jonathan Taylor has also been a key player for the Colts, rushing for over 100 yards in each of the last two games.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Colts have been equally impressive, holding their opponents to an average of just 19.7 points per game. Defensive end DeForest Buckner has been a force to be reckoned with, recording 2.5 sacks and 3 tackles for loss in the last three games.

The Minnesota Vikings, on the other hand, have also been playing well as of late, winning their last two games. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been playing some of the best football of his career, throwing for over 250 yards and multiple touchdowns in each of the last two games.

Running back Dalvin Cook has been a standout player for the Vikings, rushing for over 100 yards in each of the last three games. The Vikings offense has been explosive, averaging 29.3 points per game over their last three games.

Defensively, the Vikings have struggled at times this season, allowing an average of 29.7 points per game. However, they have shown improvement in recent weeks, holding their last two opponents to under 20 points.

In terms of predictions for this game, it’s shaping up to be a close matchup between two evenly matched teams. The Colts have the edge on defense, while the Vikings have the advantage on offense. It could come down to which team can make the most plays in crucial moments.

As for the odds, the Colts are currently favored to win by 2.5 points, with an over/under of 50 points. This suggests that oddsmakers believe it will be a high-scoring game with a slight edge to the Colts.

Overall, Sunday Night Football fans can expect an exciting and competitive matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings. With both teams playing well and looking to extend their winning streaks, this game is sure to be one that fans won’t want to miss.

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