The Minnesota Vikings (5-2) host the Indianapolis Colts (4-4) for a pivotal matchup on Sunday Night Football. The Vikings won their first five games to open the season but have stumbled in recent weeks, losing two straight. The Colts, meanwhile, have won four of their last six contests but are coming off a 23-20 setback against the Houston Texans. Indianapolis has won six of the past eight meetings between these teams.
Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Minnesota is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Vikings vs. Colts odds from SportsLine Consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 47. The Vikings are -248 money-line favorites (risk $248 to win $100), while the Colts are +201 underdogs. Before locking in any Colts vs. Vikings picks, make sure to check out the NFL predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season on an incredible 13-5 betting hot streak on top-rated NFL picks this year. Longer term, it is on a 194-134 roll on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season and a 48-27 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has simulated Colts vs. Vikings 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NFL picks and Week 8 betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NFL odds and NFL betting lines for Vikings vs. Colts:
- Colts vs. Vikings spread: Minnesota -5.5
- Colts vs. Vikings over/under: 47 points
- Colts vs. Vikings money line: Minnesota -248, Indianapolis +201
- MIN: Vikings are 5-2 against the spread this season
- IND: Colts are 7-1 against the spread this season
- Colts vs. Vikings picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Colts vs. Vikings streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Vikings can cover
The Vikings have been efficient on offense this season, averaging 26.9 points per game, which ranks seventh in the NFL. Quarterback Sam Darnold has thrown two or more touchdown passes in five of his seven outings. In last week's loss to the Rams, Darnold threw for 240 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He completed 81.5% of his passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his last game at home.
Darnold's favorite target has been wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who enters Sunday's showdown having recorded 41 catches for 646 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones has also been effective for the Vikings, averaging 4.8 yards per carry in 2024. He's finished with 93 or more rushing yards in three of his past five games. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Colts can cover
The Colts are able to get the run game going, ranking 11th in the NFL in rushing offense (128). Running back Jonathan Taylor is an effective ball-carrier in the open field. The Wisconsin product has 454 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2024. Taylor has surpassed 100 rushing yards three times this season. In his last outing, Taylor had 105 yards and one score.
Joe Flacco is now under center for the Colts for the fourth time this season. Flacco still has the arm strength to push the ball downfield and find holes in coverage. The 39-year-old has thrown for at least 150 yards and two passing touchdowns in each of his starts this season. That should continue for Flacco since the Vikings are 30th in pass defense (263). See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Colts vs. Vikings picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 47 points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in more than 50% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model's picks.
So who wins Vikings vs. Colts on Sunday Night Football, and which side of the spread cashes more than 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Vikings vs. Colts spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $7,000 on top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
