The talk this week around the Indianapolis Colts has been about their quarterback situation, with the team naming Joe Flacco the starter moving forward instead of Anthony Richardson.
At 4-4, the Colts are making this move because they are, as Shane Steichen said, in the thick of the AFC playoff race, and Flacco gives them the best chance to win now.
Awaiting the Colts in their first primetime matchup of the season is the Minnesota Vikings, who boast an aggressive and blitz-heavy defense, along with an offense that is one of the best at generating explosive pass plays. On both sides of the ball, the Vikings are top-10 in scoring.
So, who is going to win this matchup, that for the Colts, either way carries a lot of weight when it comes to their playoff odds. Let’s see who the experts are picking and why.
ESPN
Of the three staff members making predictions, Kaylen Kahler was the only one to pick the Colts to win this game–the other two went with the Vikings. According to ESPN’s FPI projection model, the Vikings have a 53.9 percent chance of winning this game and win by an average margin of 1.4 points.
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco picked the Vikings to win this game 28-24. How Joe Flacco handles the Vikings’ designed pressures will be key and Prisco adds that Jonathan Taylor helps keep the Colts in it, but a late score gives Minnesota the advantage.
NFL.com
Four of the five predictors for NFL.com chose the Vikings to win. The lone Colts selection was made by Ali Bhanpuri, who picked the Colts because he believes the Indianapolis offensive line can handle the Vikings’ pass rush, along with Flacco’s experience going against Brian Flores’ defenses playing a factor as well.
Sports Illustrated
This game was a clean sweep for SI’s Monday Morning QB crew, all of whom picked Minnesota to win.
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio and Chris Simms are each taking the Vikings. Florio notes that the Vikings very much need a win to get back on track. For what it’s worth, Florio is 83-40 on picks this season and Simms is 76-47.