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By Tyler Everett
Sports Betting Editor
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The final game on a Sunday full of quality Week 9 matchups features plenty of intriguing storylines for both Indianapolis and Minnesota.
The 4-4 Colts made waves this week by switching from 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson to Joe Flacco under center.
As for the home team, the Vikings were one of the biggest stories of September and October, with a surprising 5-0 start. But Minnesota dropped a close one to Detroit in Week 7, then struggled on the road in L.A. five days later, losing 30-20 to the Rams as road favorites on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.
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The Week 9 Sunday nighter between Indy and Minnesota kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
Colts vs. Vikings Betting Odds
Below are the odds for the Colts vs. Vikings Week 9 SNF matchup in three key markets: the spread, moneyline and total.
BET , GET 0 BONUS BETS
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK
,000 FIRST BET RESET (MUST USE CODE NEWSWEEK)
ESPN BET
,500 FIRST-BET OFFER
BETMGM
0 BONUS OR ,000 FIRST-BET SAFETY NET
BET365
,000 FIRST BET
CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
BET , WIN 0 BONUS BETS
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
Colts vs. Vikings Betting Preview
The rocky start to Richardson's career hit a new low when he was benched this week after yet another tough day in Week 8. Richardson flashed his arm strength and mobility last Sunday, but his 10-of-32 day through the air resulted in Colts coach Shane Steichen turning to Flacco for this week's trip to Minnesota.
Flacco was lights-out in a handful of starts for Cleveland a year ago, and the veteran played well in three appearances for Indianapolis earlier this season. Between Flacco, star RB Jonathan Taylor and talented WRs Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts have the offensive weapons to move the football.
The question for the Indy offense is how its O-line will hold up for a 39-year-old signal caller who was sacked a total of six times in his first two games as a Colt (vs. Pittsburgh and Jacksonville). Flacco did, however, get much better protection in his last start, a 20-17 win over the Titans in Week 6.
Defensively, Indianapolis has played well the last three weeks, though that might have had as much to do with the the Titans, Dolphins and Texans' struggling offenses as anything else.
Indy faces a much tougher test tonight against Minnesota, which has a number of dangerous weapons around Sam Darnold, and the Vikes offense will be that much tougher to contain now that tight T.J. Hockenson has returned from injury.
The Vikings have cooled off since their undefeated start, but this is still a tough team to beat, especially at home.
The keys for Minnesota to get back on the right track are avoiding turnovers (Darnold has thrown an interception in five of Minnesota's seven games) and rushing the passer.
The Vikings have struggled when opposing quarterbacks have gotten time to throw, especially the last two weeks, but the pass rush has created a ton of big plays for this defense, including three defensive TDs and 24 sacks.
Colts vs. Vikings Prediction
Flacco should be able to move the ball for Indianapolis, but it's hard to see the Colts outscoring the Vikings on the road, especially with Minnesota coming off a mini-bye after playing on Thursday night in Week 8.
Counting on a player with as much as rest as Hockenson will have to shake off is no sure thing, but the two-time Pro Bowler should take an already potent passing game to another level. Expect the Colts to hit some big plays, but ultimately, we like Minnesota to get the job done at home and improve to 6-2.
Colts vs. Vikings Best Bets
While we don't quite expect Minnesota to cruise, we do like the home team to cover as 5-point favorites. Another bet worth considering is the Vikings on the first half moneyline.
If nothing else, Hockenson's return, plus the home crowd, should provide an early boost. It's also worth nothing that Minnesota has beaten San Francisco and Houston in front of its home fans this year, with its only loss at U.S. Bank Stadium coming in a hard-fought battle with red-hot Detroit in Week 7.
- Vikings -5 (-110 at DraftKings) 1 unit
- Vikings first half -3.5 (-105 at FanDuel) 1 unit
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