Remember the last time the Vikings played the Colts in Minneapolis? It was pretty memorable.
In December of 2022, the Vikings completed the biggest comeback in NFL history, erasing a 33-point deficit by beating the Colts 39-36. Viking fans are surely hoping for a less stressful experience on Sunday Night Football this weekend when the Colts come into U.S. Bank Stadium.
It's an important game for both teams. Indy benched their young QB Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, hoping to make a playoff push. The Vikings, after a surprising 5-0 start, have dropped two straight and need to right the ship.
The Colts QB might be key to what could be a high-scoring game. Flacco is surely going to be more secure with the ball than Richardson has been, and the Vikings have feasted off turnovers. The Vikings lead the NFL with 12 interceptions this season, Minnesota’s most interceptions in seven games since the 2003 season.
But the defense struggled the past two games. The pre-snap disguises employed by defensive coordinator Brian Flores in his pressure-driven scheme have flustered many an opponent, particularly when the Vikings have the lead and are playing at home. Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions didn’t flinch in a 31-29 comeback victory at Minnesota on Oct. 20. Neither did Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams last week in their 30-20 win.
After returning home from the West Coast and having extra time to rest, the Vikings (5-2) are eager to get their defense back on track.
If the Vikings need to score a lot of points, there is good news this week. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is set to return after an ACL injury and should play for the first time since last year. That gives Viking QB Sam Darnold another weapon to go with Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison and the rest.
Also of note for the Vikings this week, they'll be without stalwart left tackle Christian Darrisaw who is out for the season after getting hurt last week in LA. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired veteran Cam Robinson in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a future third-day draft pick. When healthy, Robinson is an above-average LT and head coach Kevin O'Connell expects him to play immediately.
“There might be some nuances to the run game or play-action protections here and there, but the tackle spot is one where on those weighty downs and drop-back passes and those things, you’re blocking the defensive end,” O’Connell said. “Whether we say peaches or whatever it is, it really doesn’t matter.”
PREVIEW
Indianapolis (4-4) at Minnesota (5-2)
Sunday, 7:20 p.m., NBC
BetMGM NFL odds: Vikings by 5½.
Against the spread: Colts 7-1, Vikings 5-2.
Series record: Colts lead 18-8-1.
Last meeting: Vikings beat Colts 39-36 in OT in Minneapolis on Dec. 16, 2022.
Last week: Colts lost to Texans 23-20, Vikings lost to Rams 30-20.
Colts offense: overall (17), rush (11), pass (21), scoring (19).
Colts defense: overall (28), rush (30), pass (24), scoring (13).
Vikings offense: overall (19), rush (22), pass (17), scoring (7).
Vikings defense: overall (18), rush (3), pass (30), scoring (9).
Turnover differential: Colts plus-1, Vikings plus-5.
Colts player to watch
RB Jonathan Taylor. After missing three games with a sprained ankle, Taylor rushed for 105 yards and a TD on 20 carries last week against the Texans. He’s been closer this year to his 2021 All-Pro form than he was the past two injury-affected seasons, and he’ll face a Vikings defense that has been vulnerable on the ground the past two weeks against the Rams and the Lions.
Vikings player to watch
LT Cam Robinson. Acquired in a trade this week with the Jaguars to replace injured standout Christian Darrisaw, the eighth-year veteran Robinson was working to get ready to play. David Quessenberry filled in for Darrisaw last week after he was hurt and figures to be part of the game plan, too, in protecting QB Sam Darnold.
Key matchup
Colts QB Joe Flacco vs. Vikings pass rush. The 17th-year veteran, who has replaced 2023 fourth overall draft pick Anthony Richardson as the starter for now, won’t be fazed by the loud crowd or the aggressive and unpredictable blitzes that defensive coordinator Brian Flores calls for the Vikings. Flacco will face a defense eager to get back on track after two rough performances, including a game without a sack against the Rams. The Vikings are still third in the NFL in sacks per game.
Key injuries
The Colts got three key starters — Taylor, DT DeForest Buckner and LB E.J. Speed — back last week from injuries. Their biggest concern is LT Bernhard Raimann (concussion). If he’s out, the Colts could start two rookies on the offensive line. ... The Vikings will have TE T.J. Hockenson make his season debut after spending the first eight weeks on the physically unable to perform list. LB Blake Cashman (toe), who missed the past two games, has a chance to return.
Series notes
The Vikings set an NFL record in the previous matchup with the Colts by coming back from a 33-point deficit to win. That stopped a six-game losing streak to the Colts. ... Minnesota has never won a road game in the series, either in Baltimore or Indianapolis.
Stats and stuff
The Colts have had all eight of their games decided by six points or fewer, including five by three points or fewer. ... Flacco has only three career starts against the Vikings and none since 2017 when he was with the Ravens. ... Buckner has five sacks in three career games against the Vikings. ... Colts DE Dayo Odeyingbo had three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last week. He had two sacks against the Vikings in 2022. ... The Vikings have lost two games in a row after starting 5-0. They are the only team in the NFL this season to score in the first quarter of every game. ... Darnold has a 114.6 passer rating in three home games this season. He had a season-high 128.8 passer rating last week against the Rams. ... Vikings WR Justin Jefferson had a season-high eight catches for 115 yards last week. ... Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel has four sacks in three home games this season.
Fantasy tip
Colts WR Josh Downs had a season-high 109 receiving yards and a TD last week against the Texans. In Flacco’s two earlier starts this season, he was targeted a total of 21 times for 16 receptions. The Vikings allowed 279 passing yards and four TDs to Rams QB Matthew Stafford last week.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.