The Sunday night matchup with the Minnesota Vikings will be the Indianapolis Colts first primetime game of the season.
At 4-4 on the season, the Colts still find themselves in the thick of the AFC playoff race, which is one of the primary reasons the team made the decision to start Joe Flacco moving forward. In short, and as Shane Steichen has put it, Flacco gives Indianapolis the best chance to win.
Whether the Colts win or lose this game, one way or another, their playoff odds will take a massive swing, depending on the result.
Awaiting Indianapolis is a stingy and aggressive Vikings’ defense, along with an offense that has been one of the best at creating big plays through the air. On both sides of the ball, Minnesota is top 10 in scoring this season.
Success for the Colts will begin in the trenches by getting Jonathan Taylor going along with being able to pressure Sam Darnold.
The Vikings are a relatively uncommon opponent for the Colts with the 2022 season being the last time these two teams met. So ahead of Sunday’s game, here are some of the Minnesota players to know about and who could make a big impact in this game.
Rushing leader: Aaron Jones (501 yards at 4.8 yards per carry)
Receiving leader: Justin Jefferson (646 receiving yards)
PFF’s highest graded pass-blocker: OT Brian O’Neill
PFF’s highest graded run-blocker: OT Brian O’Neill
Most QB pressures: Edge Jonathan Greenard (43)
Most solo tackles: S Josh Metellus (35)
Lowest completion rate: S Camryn Bynum (57.1%)
Most PBUs: CB Byron Murphy and S Camryn Bynum (3)
Most interceptions: CB Byron Murphy, S Camryn Bynum, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, and LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (2)
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus