Indianapolis Colts
vs.
Minnesota Vikings
By Jason Green
12/17/16
The Colts have lost 2 of their last 3 Games and their loss in their last Game was very costly. They lost to the Houston Texans, which dropped them into 2nd place in the AFC South. They are 1 Game back of the Texans, who they have lost to twice, and the Titans, who they have beaten twice. They have to get back on the winning track and have the Texans and Titans lose. Andrew LUck leads a solid offense, but he has not gotten much help from the rushing offense and the defense only ranks 25th in opponents’ points per Game.
The Vikings snapped their 2-Game slide in their last Game, but after winning their first 5 Games of the season they are only 2-6 since. They are 2 Games back of the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and they may need to snag a Wild Card to make the post-season. They have really struggled to Scorepoints this season, but in terms of opponents’ points allowed they have the league’s top-ranked defense.
These teams have not met since the 2012 season where the Colts beat the Vikings 23-20.
The Colts were at home in their last Game and lost to the Houston Texans 22-17 where they failed to cover as a 6.5-point favorite.
The Vikings were on the road in their last Game beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 25-16 where they covered the spread as a 3-point favorite.
The Colts outGAined the Texans by 32 yards in the last Game, but they struggled to run the ball and they committed 2 turnovers. LUck was responsible for both turnovers with 2 picks, but he did pass for 276 yards with 2 TD. Indy only rushed for 83 yards with 33 coming off one run from LUck. Frank Gore only had 41 rushing yards in the Game.
The main reason Minnesota is still over .500 is their D, which ranks 3rd in the league against the pass and 16th against the run.
Sam Bradford had one of his better Games in the win over the Jags passing for 292 yards with 1 TD and 0 INT, but the run Game could not get it going. The 2 leading rushers in the Game were Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon, who combined for only 68 yards averaging 3.4 and 2.2 yards per carry respectively.
At least the Vikes will be facing a Colts’ defense that only ranks 26th against the pass and 24th against the run.
Indianapolis is 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 road Games, 1-3-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, and in their last 30 road Games the posted total has gone Over 22 times.
Minnesota is 21-6 ATS in their last 27 home Games, 21-5 ATS in their last 26 Games following a ATS win, and in their last 7 Games at home the posted total has gone Under 5 times.
Bettorsworld Pick – Colts +4