It’s Week 9 of the NFL season with still eight games remaining for the Indianapolis Colts after this matchup with Minnesota.
However, at 4-4, while time is still on the Colts’ side, according to Pro Football Focus, this game against the Vikings comes with major playoff implications for Indianapolis.
According to PFF’s metrics, a win and the Colts’ playoff chances jump to 62 percent. A loss and they drop to 37 percent. Only three other teams will see their playoff hopes take a larger swing one way or the other in Week 9.
The primary reason that the Colts made the shift from Anthony Richardson to Joe Flacco is because, as head coach Shane Steichen put it, Flacco gives the Colts the best chance to win.
At the aforementioned 4-4 on the season, the Colts are the eighth seed in the AFC at the moment, only a half-game behind the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) for the final playoff spot. Behind the Colts are Cincinnati at 3-5 and then the New York Jets at 3-6.
The Colts find themselves in the midst of what is, on paper, their most difficult stretch of the season. After losing to Houston this past Sunday–and putting themselves in a real hole in the AFC South race–next up they play at 5-2 Minnesota, and then are at home to face 6-2 Buffalo.
From there, Indianapolis is back on the road to take on the Jets, before returning to Lucas Oil Stadium for a matchup with 6-1 Detroit.
The Colts securing a win on Sunday in Minnesota to get their heads back above water at 5-4 is going to be important–as the metrics from PFF show–when it comes to keeping pace in the AFC.
On the flip side, a loss and falling to 4-5 with the upcoming schedule that Indianapolis has could be difficult to overcome.
The Vikings will enter this game ranked top-10 in scoring defense, and in terms of blitzing, are the most aggressive defense in football. On offense, Minnesota ranks top 10 in scoring on that side of the ball as well and are among the best at generating explosive pass plays.
