We talked a lot this week about Indianapolis Colts offense, but they can help themselves against offense. Minnesota Vikings with strong early defense.
The Vikings (5-2), who host the Colts (4-4) on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 9 of the NFL, were virtually unstoppable in the first quarter of the season, scoring two touchdowns in the first 15 minutes in four of their last five games (and scoring 10 points in the other).
If the Colts want to keep up, they must tame Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones And Justin Jefferson early, while also generating sustained effort behind new quarterback Joe Flacco.
Learn more about the Week 9 matchup.
Doyel: Something is wrong with the Colts, and not just with Richardson’s completion percentage
Indianapolis Colts Preview vs. Minnesota Vikings: About the Vikings
∎ The Vikings (5-2) are trying to follow the Detroit Lions (6-1) and the Green Bay Packers (6-2) in the NFC North, the best division in the NFL. The Vikings have allowed at least 29 points in three of their last four games, but those opponents were led by quarterbacks Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford.
∎ The Vikings have a 76-10 lead in the first quarter and have scored 2 first quarter touchdowns in four games.
∎ Sam Darnold completed 67.2% of his passes for 1,610 yards, 14 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He was sacked 21 times (3 times per game, 10.4% of snaps, 31st) and the Vikings lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) for the season in Week 8. They traded with the Jaguars of Jacksonville against LT Cam Robinson this week. .
∎ Justin Jefferson is the No. 2 receiver in the NFL with 41 catches for 646 yards (15.8 per), 5 touchdowns and 10 catches of 20+ yards. Tight end TJ Hockenson is expected to make his season debut.
∎ Aaron Jones accumulated 501 rushing yards (4.8 per carry) and 2 touchdowns. He also has 22 catches (10.3 yards per) and 1 TD.
∎ With opponents playing from behind and passing more than any other team (67.3% of snaps), Minnesota has an NFL-leading 12 interceptions, including 2 returned for touchdowns. Opponents rush for just 83.9 yards per game (No. 4).
∎ Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has 44 tackles (in 5 games) including 4 tackles for loss and a touchdown. Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel has 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 3 passes defended and 2 interceptions, both returned for touchdowns. Veteran safety Harrison Smith has 45 tackles, 4 passes defended and 1 interception. Camryn Bynum has 43 tackles, 6 passes defended and 2 interceptions.
∎ Minnesota has 2.1 putouts per game (No. 2), but it has forced just one turnover in each of its recent losses.
∎ Will Reichard made all his kicks: 14 field goals, with a length of 58 yards and 4 of more than 50 yards, and 20 PATs.
Injury Monitoring: LB Blake Cashman (toe) did not practice Wednesday. The Vikings are hoping TE TJ Hockenson can make his season debut and G Dalton Risner can return.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview: About the Colts
∎ Every Colts game has been decided by 6 points or less, the only team in the NFL to play every game to one possession.
∎ The Colts can move the ball in big chunks, but they have a lot of trouble sustaining their shots. They are last in time of possession (25:59 per game) and completion percentage (54.1), while throwing 8 interceptions (3.3% of throws, 27th).
∎ In four real appearances, Joe Flacco completed 65.7% of his passes for 716 yards, 7 touchdowns and 1 interception. He replaces Anthony Richardson, who struggled, completing 44.4% of his passes for 958 yards with 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
∎ Josh Downs has 32 catches (11 yards per catch) and 3 touchdowns, while Alec Pierce averages 24.6 yards per catch with 3 touchdowns. Michael Pittman Jr. has 29 catches (12.1 yards per game) and 2 touchdowns. They combined for 17 gains of more than 20 yards.
∎ Jonathan Taylor, despite three absences, totals 454 yards rushing (4.9 yards per game), 5 touchdowns and 5 gains of 20+.
∎ With the defense spending a lot of time on the field, it allows 379.6 yards (28th) but only 21.5 points (14th). Indianapolis allows 43% of opposing conversions on 3rd down (24th) but touchdowns on 57.1% of opportunities in the red zone (15th).
∎ Zaire Franklin leads the NFL with 87 tackles, while safety Nick Cross has 76 and EJ Speed 70 (4 for loss). Jaylon Jones has 52 tackles, 9 passes defended and 2 interceptions.
Injury Monitoring: LT Bernhard Raimann, who reported concussion symptoms on Monday, is in the protocol.
Common opponents Colts-Vikings
The Vikings beat the Texans 34-7 in week three. Houston completed a season sweep over Indianapolis with 2 and 3 point victories.
Minnesota beat Green Bay in Week 4. The Packers, with Malik Willis at quarterback, beat the Colts in Week 2.
Colts-Vikings betting odds
From PariMGM
Favorite: Vikings by 5.5 points
The Colts are 6-1 against the spread; The Vikings are 5-2 ATS, covering in their first 5 games (all wins) but not in their last 2 (both losses).
More/less: 46.5 points in total
Colts: 3 games finished, 5 lost, including last 3; Vikings: 3 games finished, including the last 2; 4 matches failed.
Money line: Colts +200, Vikings -250
When do the Colts play the Vikings in NFL Week 9?
8:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Where can I watch Colts vs. Vikings? How to watch the NFL Week 9 game
BNCwith Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporting)
How to stream and watch the Vikings-Colts game for NFL Week 9
The Colts-Texans game will be streamed Peacock at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 3, 2024. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Fans can also download NFL+ in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
How to listen to the NFL Week 9 Vikings-Colts game on radio and streaming
Radio: 93.5, 97.1, 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (analysis) and Larra Overton (sideline reporting)
Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 88, 226, 813
Watch Colts-Texans on Fubo (Free Trial)
Colts-Vikings tickets at US Bank Stadium
At US Bank Stadium: Seats start at $78 on StubHub
Colts 2024 schedule
every hour ET
September 8: Texans 29, Colts 27
September 15: Packers 16, Colts 10
September 22: Colts 21, Bears 16
September 29: Colts 27, Steelers 24
October 6: Jaguars 37, Colts 34
October 13: Colts 20, Titans 17
October 20: Colts 16, Dolphins 10
October 27: Texans 23, Colts 20
November 3: in Minnesota, 8:20 p.m., NBC, Peacock
November 10: vs. Buffalo, 1 p.m., CBS
November 17: at the NY Jets, 8:20 p.m., NBC, Peacock
November 24: vs. Detroit, 1 p.m., Fox
December 1: in New England, 1 p.m., CBS
December 15: in Denver, 4:25 p.m., CBS
December 22: vs. Tennessee, 1 p.m., CBS
December 29: with the New York Giants, to be determined
January 5: vs. Jacksonville, to be determined
This article was originally published on the Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview, Scouting Report
