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The Colts head north to Minnesota to take on the Vikings for Week 2 of the preseason, as each team is coming off a Week 1 contest that could not have been more different to each other. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Colts-Vikings prediction and pick.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the Colts-Vikings odds and lines for Saturday's matchup.
NFL Odds: Colts-Vikings Odds
Indianapolis Colts +2 (-115)
Minnesota Vikings -2 (-105)
Over 37 1/2 points (-110)
Under 37 1/2 points (-110)
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Why The Colts Could Cover
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Both Indianapolis quarterbacks who played last week performed wonderfully in leading the Colts to victory over the Panthers. Jacob Eason went 15 for 21 with 183 passing yards. Sam Ehlinger, the rookie out of the University of Texas, went 10 for 15 with 155 yards in the air, but also threw an interception. Neither QB has amassed any NFL regular season experience yet (as Eason did not play in his rookie season and Ehlinger, of course, was a Texas Longhorn last year). But in their professional debuts, each QB stepped up to help the Colts complete a fourth quarter comeback. As Ehlinger was the man in charge of the late comeback, I'd think the Colts coaching staff would want to get another significant look at him and prominently feature him under center vs. the Vikings. While these two QBs are only competing for the backup role, both seem to show promise of bright NFL futures. Assuming they each get roughly equal snaps again in this game, I believe a repeat performance is in the cards and they lead the Colts to 2-0. Ultimately though, I think Ehlinger wins the backup job behind Carson Wentz.
Why The Vikings Could Cover
Neither rookie Kellen Mond nor third-year NFL QB Jake Browning did much to impress coaches in the Vikings laugher of a 33-6 loss last week. Although Browning has now been with Minnesota since 2019, he's mostly been on the practice squad and has yet to actually make his regular season debut. Meanwhile, the rookie Mond was drafted in 2021 after starring as a quarterback for Texas A&M. Browning likely knows the team's offense well by now having been with the organization for a couple of seasons. But the fact that Mond received six more snaps than Browning did last week leads me to believe the Vikings coaches are going to want to get an extra look at Mond featured under center in this game against the Colts. With one preseason game now under his belt, I think Mond regroups, flashes some potential, and gives the Vikings enough offense to cover this two point spread. He's my pick to win the Vikings backup QB job.
Final Colts-Vikings Prediction & Pick
In a battle of rookie quarterbacks from large Texas state universities, all eyes will be on Ehlinger and Mond. Reminding football fans of classic Texas vs, Texas A&M games of the past, this game will come down to the wire as well. Ultimately, given the law of averages, I think Mond improves noticeably from Week 1 to lead the Vikings to victory here. Ehlinger will play well too, but I do think he will regress slightly after engineering a very impressive comeback victory last week.
FINAL COLTS-VIKINGS PICK: Vikings -2 (-105)
