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Andrew Rogers
Colts vs. Vikings Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
Carson Wentz is the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback for the 2021 season, health willing. But, with Wentz expected to miss the first several weeks of the campaign, the battle to be the Week 1 starter is still wide open as the Colts visit Minnesota on Saturday. Expect Indy to use both Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger liberally in their second preseason game of the year; both players had up-and-down performances in a 21-18 victory over Carolina last week.
Minnesota is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NFL preseason odds, with a total of 38.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Vikings get a slight edge by virtue of home-field advantage in a game oddsmakers are expecting to be a tight one. The Colts have won just two of their previous eight visits to Minnesota, but are a perfect 6-0 straight up in their previous six games against NFC opponents. The Vikings have failed to cover in each of their past eight contests overall, a stretch that includes five consecutive non-covers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The total for Saturday’s showdown is set at 38, with the Over and Under carrying identical -110 odds at the moment. These teams have cashed the Under in each of their last five head-to-head meetings, most recently a 28-11 Indianapolis home drubbing back on Sept. 20 of last season. That said, the Colts are on an incredible 10-4 Over run in their previous 14 games, while the Vikings are a healthy 4-1 O/U in their last five.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts haven’t decided on their Week 1 quarterback, but it appears that Eason has the upper hand entering the second week of the preseason. Not only did the 2020 fourth-round pick fare better than Ehlinger in the exhibition opener, he has also put some distance between himself and the rookie out of Texas at practice this week. Eason was Indy’s third-string QB last season and has yet to throw a pass in a regular season game.
Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings are expected to load up on starters in an effort to rebound from last week’s 33-6 drubbing at the hands of the Denver Broncos, at least one key player won’t be in action. Second-year wide receiver Justin Jefferson has just returned to practice after suffering a sprained AC joint earlier in training camp, and isn’t expected to suit up. Tight end Tyler Conklin is also expected to miss Saturday’s game as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
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