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The Minnesota Vikings are a bit of fools’ gold this season with their gaudy record thanks to their success in one score games. However, that ended last weekend when Minnesota was pretty easily handled by the Lions in Detroit. Despite that loss, the Vikings are still in good position for a top 3 seed in the NFC and are home favorites to the Colts on Saturday. Our expert has odds and predictions for this intriguing matchup, so let’s break it all down.
Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings expert predictions
At this point, the Colts are just killing time until the end of the season. Indianapolis went from being in contention in the AFC South to losing 3 straight games en route to a 4-8-1 record. Currently sitting in 3rd place in the division, the Colts are technically still alive for a playoff berth, but only just. Minnesota should be looking to wipe that bad taste from its mouth after disappointing against Detroit, and our expert certainly leans in the direction of the Vikings this week. Let’s get into our expert’s predictions for this contest.
Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings spread, odds & betting lines
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Point Spread: Colts +4, Vikings -4
Total Points Over/Under: 48.5 points
Money Line Odds: Colts +170, Vikings -200
Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings expert picks
Colts vs Vikings point spread pick: Vikings -4 (-110)
The Minnesota Vikings will try to get back on the winning track when they entertain the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday afternoon. Minnesota never gets any respect from the market despite its 10-3 record, and this past week that was for good reason as the Vikings lost as a +1.5 underdog, 34-23 to Detroit. However, the disrespect is unfounded more often than not and that will likely be the case this time around. At home as -4 favorites, the Vikings are being treated almost as equals with the Colts. I’m not buying it. Beyond the discrepancy in records, the Indianapolis offense can’t boast anything along the lines of Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook. Aside from blowout losses to Philadelphia and Dallas, this team has pretty much scored between 23 and 33 points week in and week out.
Indianapolis has lost 3 in a row and its most recent setbacks were especially bad. Matt Ryan was awful during a Week 12 loss to Pittsburgh and his team got outscored 33-0 in the fourth quarter of a recent 54-19 defeat against Dallas. Indianapolis is playing on extra rest following a Week 14 bye, but I don’t think Jeff Saturday is a coach who will capitalize on more game-planning opportunities. He is probably a great motivator and locker-room guy, but it’s unlikely that he is a Xs and Os genius at this nascent stage of his coaching career. The Colts are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 overall and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 on the road. Minnesota is 5-2-1 ATS in its last 8 overall. I’m going with the Vikings and giving the points.
Colts vs Vikings Over/Under totals pick: Under 48.5 (-110)
There are very few scenarios in which I would feel comfortable taking the over on a Colts game, and a total of 48.5 points is not one of them. Unbelievably, they have exceeded the 20-point mark only once this season, in Week 6 against the Jaguars. Minnesota is saddled with the worst passing defense in the NFL and safety Harrison Smith is sidelined, but Indy is probably the last team that can take advantage. The combination of an aging QB and an inexperienced receiving corps makes the Colts among the most vertically challenged passing attacks.