What soft spots from this Indianapolis Colts team can the Minnesota Vikings expose?
The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in an unaccustomed spot as they head out on the road this weekend to take on the Indianapolis Colts.
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers battered the Vikings inside U.S. Bank Stadium last week in a performance that illuminated Minnesota’s vulnerabilities. The loss dropped the Vikings to 0-1 to start the 2020 season and it’s the first time in five years the team has found itself in this situation after Week 1.
When Minnesota’s previous opening week loss occurred in 2015, the Vikings voyaged back home to knock off the Detroit Lions during their next game, and later won the NFC North division.
Following this year’s Week 1 loss, Minnesota is taking on the Colts in a road affair. Indianapolis narrowly missed the postseason in 2019 as they finished in third place in the AFC South with a 7-9 record.
The Colts perceived itself adjacent to playoff contention and decided to take a flyer on a 38-year-old signal-caller in Philip Rivers this offseason. Rivers ended a 16-year stay with the Los Angeles Chargers and signed with Indianapolis.
If one is a Colts optimist, Rivers is the missing link. But through one week of the 2020 season, that synopsis is light on substance after the low-octane Jacksonville Jaguars defeated Indianapolis to start the Colts’ year with a whimper.
So this weekend in Indianapolis, two teams with elevated expectations in 2020 will meet while aspiring to avoid an 0-2 standing. Something’s gotta give.
Just how can the Vikings escape the Colts’ home stadium with a victory? Let’s have a look at the seven areas of this Indianapolis team where Minnesota can capitalize.