The Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings go head to head tonight, and there’s plenty to dig into on the prop betting front.
The Vikings, led by QB Kirk Cousins, are looking to bounce back after a couple of recent losses, while the Colts hope Joe Flacco’s veteran presence under center can stabilize their offense.
Odds: -115
Jonathan Taylor has started to heat up quite a bit since returning from his recent injury, and he’s facing a Vikings defense that allows 4.2 yards per carry — ranking them a middling 21st in the league.
With Joe Flacco taking the snaps, the Colts may just lean on Taylor more than usual to control the clock and protect their QB, especially given Flacco’s recent return to the starting role.
Taylor is averaging 4.7 yards per carry this season, so he just needs around 15 touches to clear this line which is totally doable.
The Vikings' defense has been relatively solid overall but occasionally vulnerable against the run, and Taylor’s quickness makes him dangerous if he can break past the first level of the Vikings’ defense.
Look for Indianapolis to set him up early and often for a productive night as they try to keep Cousins and Jefferson off the field.
Odds: +100
Justin Jefferson continues to be one of the most dominant players in the Vikings' passing game. He boasts a league-leading average of over 100 receiving yards per game and we don’t see him slowing down anytime soon.
He’s Cousins’ #1 target by far, and in a high-stakes game on Sunday Night Football, Cousins will likely lean on him even more than he usually does. The Colts' defense has struggled to contain elite receivers, and Jefferson is no exception. He’s capable of turning any catch into a big gain.
Jefferson has hit 7 or more receptions in 4 of his last 5 games, and with a game script that likely sees Minnesota airing it out a bit more frequently, he’s in a strong position to hit this mark again.
The Colts may try to double-cover him, of course, but Jefferson’s elite route-running and Cousins' trust in him make this prop line a solid bet. Even at +100, this one’s worth a look.
Odds: -120
With Darnold now stepping into a starting role, his mobility adds a new wrinkle to the Colts' offense that they haven’t had in a while.
While he’s not a traditional dual-threat quarterback, Darnold has shown that he has the willingness to scramble when he sees an open field and takes full advantage of defense mistakes.
Given the Vikings’ aggressive pass rush, he might be forced out of the pocket more often than he’d like, which could lead to some opportunities to pick up yards with his legs.
The line here is low at a mere 14.5 yards. We think that Darnold should only need 2 or 3 runs to hit it and it should happen quickly.
In his limited starts this season, he’s already shown he can scramble effectively, and the Vikings’ pass defense prioritizes shutting down big plays through the air. That leaves running lanes open occasionally and he’ll undoubtedly see those.
Darnold's over 14.5 rushing yards feels like a safe and easy bet with his style of play.
Odds: -110
The Vikings come into this game as slight favorites being just 3 under. We also think that there's a good reason to back them here.
They’re ranked 7th in the league in points per game (26.9), while the Colts sit back at 19th (21.9). Minnesota also boasts a strong turnover differential (+5). This gives them an edge in a potentially close game.
Joe Flacco, though he is highly experienced, has been inconsistent all year. Facing a Vikings defense that ranks in the top 10 in points allowed will be a tough task for him.
Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson are in top shape at the right time, and the Vikings have shown they can put up points quickly. With the Colts adjusting to a new quarterback in Flacco and their offense still finding rhythm, the Vikings look set to cover this spread, especially at home.
BettorsInsider Prediction: Vikings 27, Colts 20