Minnesota Vikings vs Indianapolis Colts Picks and Predictions November 3rd 2024

Vikings vs Colts November 3rd 2024

Indianapolis and Minnesota will face off on Sunday, November 3rd at 8:20 ET at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Vikings are favored on the money line at -240 and are -5 point favorites on the point spread. This week nine non-conference matchup is being televised on NBC, with the over/under line set at 46.5 points.

Indianapolis vs. Minnesota Key Information

Heading into week 9 with a 4-4 record, the Colts have a 64.0% chance of making the playoffs and a 15.7% chance of winning the AFC South. They currently rank 9th in our NFL power rankings. Against the spread, Indianapolis is 7-1, including a 6-game ATS winning streak. They are 5-0 as underdogs and 2-1 as favorites.

In week 8, the Colts lost 23-20 to the Texans, bringing their record to 4-4. Despite the loss, they covered the spread as 5-point underdogs. The O/U line was 45, and the teams combined for 43 points, giving the Colts their third straight under.

Heading into week 9, the Colts rank 21st in our offensive power rankings, averaging 21.9 points per game, which places them 19th in the NFL. They also rank 19th in passing attempts, with 30.2 per game, and are 20th in passing yards, averaging 198 per game. On the ground, they rank 15th in rushing attempts and 11th in rushing yards, with 128 per game. Indianapolis has been strong in the 1st quarter, ranking 5th in the NFL in points scored.

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In week 8, Anthony Richardson threw for 175 yards on 10/32 passing, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. He was sacked 5 times. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 105 yards on 20 carries, while Josh Downs led the team with 4 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. The Colts struggled on 3rd down, converting just 2 of 13 attempts, but scored on 1 of their 2 red zone trips.

In their 23-20 loss to the Texans, the Colts’ defense allowed 267 passing yards and 96 rushing yards on 29 attempts. They held the Texans to a 30.8% third-down conversion rate and recorded two sacks. Despite this, the Colts allowed Houston to control the ball for 33:03 minutes in the game.

Indianapolis gave up 363 total yards and allowed the Texans to convert on 67.6% of their passes. The Colts also allowed one touchdown through the air and finished with a tackles for loss advantage of +5.

After winning their first five games, the Vikings have now dropped two straight, including a 30-20 loss to the Rams in week 8. Minnesota entered the game as 2.5-point favorites but couldn’t get the win, bringing their record to 5-2. The Vikings are now 3rd in the NFC North and 6th in the conference standings. Our projections give them a 67.1% chance of making the playoffs and a 10.5% chance of winning the division.

Heading into week 9, the Vikings rank 11th in our NFL power rankings. They have an average scoring margin of +7.3 points per game and are 5-2 against the spread. They have failed to cover the spread in two straight games, including their week 8 loss to the Rams. Their O/U record is 3-4, with the over hitting in their last two games.

Heading into week 9, Minnesota’s offense ranks 12th in our power rankings. They are 7th in the NFL in scoring, averaging 26.9 points per game, and lead the league in 1st quarter scoring. They are 16th in passing yards per game (213.6) and 22nd in rushing yards (111.4).

In week 8, Sam Darnold posted a passer rating of 128, throwing for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Rams. Justin Jefferson had 8 catches for 115 yards, while Aaron Jones rushed for 58 yards on 19 carries.

In their 30-20 loss to the Rams, the Vikings’ defense gave up four passing touchdowns and allowed the Rams to complete 73.5% of their passes for 279 yards. Minnesota’s defense struggled to pressure the quarterback, as they didn’t record any sacks in the game. The Vikings did manage to force one interception and held the Rams to a 40% third-down conversion rate. Overall, the Vikings allowed 386 total yards, with 107 coming on the ground.

Minnesota’s defense allowed the Rams to have success through the air, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. The Vikings’ offense was able to move the ball, but the defense was unable to come up with key stops and get off the field on third down, contributing to their defeat.

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Colts to cover as road underdogs in this week nine matchup between the Colts and Vikings. The point spread has the Colts at +5, and we have them winning 22-21, making them a great pick to cover at +5.

As for the over/under, with the line sitting at 46.5 points, we are leaning towards the under, with our projections forecasting just 43 combined points.

Joe Flacco Steps in as Colts Face Vikings in Pivotal Sunday Matchup

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco will take the reins for the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday as they visit the Minnesota Vikings in what promises to be a high-stakes game for both teams. With the Colts at a 4-4 record and looking to build momentum, the decision to start Flacco over second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson signals a major shift. Colts head coach Shane Steichen has affirmed that this move is not temporary, as he aims to leverage Flacco’s experience to keep the Colts competitive in their push for the playoffs.

Colts’ New Look Under Flacco

The Colts’ midseason quarterback change underscores the urgency within the organization. Despite flashes of promise, Richardson’s struggles with consistency led Steichen to make the bold choice to bench him. For Steichen, the decision was straightforward: “I feel like Joe gives us the best chance to win.” Flacco’s steady play has earned him a 102.2 passer rating this season, with seven touchdowns and only one interception. His veteran savvy could be just what the Colts need to stabilize their offense and turn close games into victories.

With a seasoned quarterback now in the pocket, the Colts will hope to energize their offense, which has already seen strong performances from running back Jonathan Taylor, who leads the team with 454 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Alec Pierce, with 394 receiving yards and three touchdowns, will also look to benefit from Flacco’s arm, aiming to enhance the Colts’ aerial attack.

Vikings Seek to Rebound from Recent Losses

The Vikings, meanwhile, find themselves at a critical juncture after starting the season 5-0 only to drop consecutive games to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. Losing star left tackle Christian Darrisaw to a knee injury has been a significant setback for Minnesota, leading the team to trade for Jacksonville’s Cam Robinson to reinforce their offensive line. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell remains optimistic about Robinson’s impact, but his availability for Sunday is still uncertain as the team evaluates his readiness.

Adding to the Vikings’ boost is the return of veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson. After recovering from knee surgery, Hockenson’s anticipated debut is expected to inject versatility into Minnesota’s offense. “He’s a huge part of our offense,” O’Connell said. With Hockenson back in the lineup, quarterback Sam Darnold will have another trusted option to bolster an offense that also features star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has already amassed 646 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season.

Quarterback Duel: Flacco vs. Darnold

The quarterback battle on Sunday will feature Flacco’s reliability against the surging Darnold, who has posted impressive stats this season, including a 107.2 passer rating with 14 touchdowns. Darnold’s connection with Jefferson has been one of Minnesota’s strengths, and with running back Aaron Jones adding 501 rushing yards, the Vikings’ offense is capable of high output, which the Colts’ defense must be prepared to counter.

The Vikings’ defense, led by linebacker Jordan Hicks, will look to disrupt Flacco’s rhythm, aiming to keep the Colts’ offense off-balance and capitalize on any mistakes as they protect their home turf.

Game Preview and Historical Context

This matchup holds extra weight for both teams given their aspirations for the postseason. With the Vikings sitting at 5-2 and eager to hold their ground in the competitive NFC, a win would be invaluable. The Colts, at .500, are fighting to stay relevant in their division and are banking on Flacco’s experience to guide them through.

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The last time these teams met, the Vikings pulled off an unforgettable comeback, rallying from a 33-point deficit to win 39-36 in overtime, marking the largest comeback victory in NFL history. That history adds another layer of anticipation to Sunday’s game, as both teams remember the epic clash that came down to the wire.

With two determined squads, the Colts and Vikings will each look to their quarterbacks and supporting cast to set the tone. A win for either team would not only improve their standings but could also serve as a defining moment in their season as they look toward playoff contention.