Colts vs. Vikings Prediction, Odds, Spread, Injuries, Trends for NFL Week 9 (How to Bet Total)

Betting odds, pick and prediction for the Indianapolis Colts-Minnesota Vikings matchup in NFL Week 9.

Peter Dewey | Oct 29, 2024

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts dropped their division matchup with the Houston Texans on Sunday, falling to 4-4 on the season and 0-2 against Houston.

With the AFC South division title looking like a bit of a longshot right now, the Colts will aim to get back on track on Sunday Night Football against the 5-2 Minnesota Vikings.

Indy will have a new quarterback under center, as it benched former first-round pick Anthony Richardson for veteran Joe Flacco.

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell @FowlerESPN and me. Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs. pic.twitter.com/uqANJwOwr4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2024

After a 5-0 start, the Vikings have dropped two games in a row, but they have had an extended layoff ahead of this game since they played on Thursday night in Week 8.

Can Sam Darnold and company get back on track at home?

Here’s a breakdown of the odds, trends, players to watch and more for NFL Week 9.

Colts vs. Vikings Odds, Spread and Total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

Colts +5 (-110)
Vikings -5 (-110)

Moneyline

Colts: +185
Vikings: -225

Total

46.5 (Over -108/Under -112)

Colts vs. Vikings How to Watch

Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
How to Watch (TV): NBC
Colts record: 4-4
Vikings record: 5-2

Colts vs. Vikings Betting Trends

The Colts are 7-1 against the spread, the best mark in the NFL.
The Vikings are 5-2 against the spread this season.
The Vikings are 2-1 against the spread at home.
The UNDER is 4-3 in the Vikings’ seven games this season.
The UNDER is 5-3 in the Colts’ seven games this season.

Colts vs. Vikings Injury Reports

Colts Injury Report

Trevor Denbow – questionable
Bernhard Raimann – questionable

Vikings Injury Report

Blake Cashman – questionable
TJ Hockenson – questionable

Colts vs. Vikings Key Players to Watch

Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor: After missing three games due to an ankle injury, Taylor returned to the lineup in Week 8 and ripped off 105 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He should be the focal point of the Colts’ offense even with Joe Flacco under center.

Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson: Jefferson cleared 100 yards for the second time this season in Week 8, picking up eight catches for 115 yards. He now has at least 81 receiving yards in six straight games while totaling five touchdowns in 2024.

Colts vs. Vikings Prediction and Pick

Well, there was no way I was going to bet on the Colts with Richardson under center, but now the Colts may hvae a chance with Flacco starting.

While the second-year quarterback makes some big plays, Richardson is completing less than 50 percent of his passes on the season, which had been severely limiting this Indianapolis offense.

Now, the Colts will have Flacco under center against a Minnesota team that is seventh in the NFL in yards per play allowed and in a prime bounce-back spot after a controversial loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8.

Indy’s defense has also struggled against the run this season, which should help take some pressure off of Sam Darnold. The Colts are allowing 4.5 yards per carry through eight games.

I still think this game could be a low-scoring one, especially if the Colts lean on their running game in Week 9. Taylor should get all the carries he can handle now that he's healthy.

With both of these teams hitting the UNDER in the majority of their games, I’ll side with that in primetime in Week 9.

Pick: UNDER 46.5 (-112)