The Indianapolis Colts visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon in a clash of teams with dwindling playoff hopes. The 6-7 Colts are coming off a 22-17 loss to Houston as 6.5-point home chalk that drops them to third place in the AFC South. The Vikings remain one game back in the NFC wild-card hunt following last week's 25-16 win in Jacksonville as 3-point favorites.
- The total has gone UNDER in three of the Colts' last four games against the Vikings.
- The Vikings are 10-0 ATS in their last 10 games against the AFC.
- The Colts are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games on the road after covering in their two most recent road games.
The Colts have lost two of three overall, both straight up and against the spread. But Indianapolis has shown resilience, going 5-0 SU and ATS in its past five following a loss. The Colts are also undefeated in three straight on the road, all as betting underdogs, averaging 35.3 points per game in those contests.
Last week's SU win over the Jaguars was just the second in the past eight for Minnesota. The Vikings have lost two of three on home turf during that stretch, and have failed to score more than 16 points in five of their past eight games. Despite the recent slide, Minnesota has been a reliable bet at the sportsbooks, covering in three of four.
The Vikes will have a familiar face back in the lineup on Sunday as it was announced that Adrian Peterson will return to action after tearing his meniscus in Week 2. The Colts have a bottom nine rush defense and are coming off a game where they allowed 185 rush yards. If Peterson is healthy, he could make a significant difference and put up some big numbers.
This marks the first meeting between these two squads since 2012. The Colts have won four straight over Minnesota, covering on three occasions, including an 18-15 victory as 1-point chalk in their last visit to Minnesota in 2008.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Indianapolis Colts betting odds line opened as 4-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked here at Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 44 at most shops.
Odds Shark computer NFL score prediction models picked a possible 27-18 win for the Vikings on Sunday. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the NFL picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Indianapolis Colts have seen them go 6-7 and 6-6-1 ATS so far this season, while the Minnesota Vikings are at 7-6 and 8-5 ATS. In totals betting, the Vikings are 5-8, while the Colts are 8-5. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Minnesota vs Indianapolis injuries news.
The Minnesota Vikings sit at No. 12 in the current NFL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Indianapolis Colts are at No. 20 on that chart.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Minnesota's No. 24-ranked offense, averaging 19.85 PPG, against a Colts defense that ranks No. 25 this week at 25.62 PPG. The Vikings aerial game is averaging 229.62 yards per game, less than the Colts secondary allows through the air, 262.69 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Indianapolis Colts feature the league's No. 29-rated road run defense, allowing 133.6 yards per game. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, ranks No. 31 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Indianapolis lost its last outing 22-17 against Houston on Sunday, getting a 115-yard receiving performance from T.Y. Hilton in a losing cause at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Adam Thielen hauled in 4 passes for 101 yards against the Jacksonville defense in the team's last game, leading Minnesota over the Jaguars 25-16 on Sunday.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indianapolis's last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indianapolis's last 5 games on the road
- Indianapolis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indianapolis's last 6 games when playing Minnesota
- Minnesota is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games
- Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 12 games
- Minnesota is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Indianapolis at Oakland, Saturday, December 24th
Minnesota at Green Bay, Saturday, December 24th
