How The Vikings' Playoff Odds Could Change This Sunday Against Indianapolis
The Minnesota Vikings were red hot to start the season. Sam Darnold played excellent football and led the squad to a perfect 5-0 record entering their week six bye week. Since that break, Minnesota has dropped two straight to the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams.
Minnesota returns home on Sunday Night to face Joe Flacco and the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football. Here's a look at how that game could affect the playoff chances for the Vikes this year.
Vikings Vs. Colts Playoff Implications
The Vikings currently sit sixth in the NFC, ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles. Chicago, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, and Seattle are all on the playoff bubble, looking in from the outside, with a lot of football left in the season.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Minnesota enters week nine with a 78% chance of making the playoffs. A win over the Colts would boost those odds to 84%, while a loss would drop them to 69%. Since it's an AFC opponent, the playoff stakes aren't as high as if the Vikings faced an NFC foe.
Indianapolis is eighth in the AFC playoff race behind the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and Denver Broncos for a wild card spot. The Colts have a 42% chance to make the postseason right now. That number would improve to 52% with a victory and could dip to 34% with a loss.
Vikings Need To Get Back In The Win Column
Although the Vikings' playoff chances won't be seriously damaged by a loss this weekend, the team just needs a win. The rest of the NFC North continues to impress, with the Lions looking like the league's best team, Green Bay has won four straight, and the Chicago Bears continue to build behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. You can't keep losing games and expect to keep pace in the division.
Minnesota is a five-point betting favorite and is -245 on the money line. The game's total is set at 46.5.
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