The Minnesota Vikings started the season with five straight wins, but they’ll be looking to avoid their third straight loss when they host the Indianapolis Colts in primetime on Sunday night.
The Vikings looked like a bonafide Super Bowl contender over the first month of the season, but their performance has tailed off in losses to a fellow contender in the Detroit Lions and an underrated Los Angeles Rams team that was fueled by the returns of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Some believe the schedule has let up for the Vikings to get back on track, but the Colts are a sneaky matchup. Entering Sunday with a 4-4 record, Indianapolis has turned to Joe Flacco to lead the team for the rest of the season, and with Jonathan Taylor and an underrated defense lurking, the Colts have enough to pull off the upset.
In this article, we’ll make three bold predictions and see if the Vikings can get back in the win column on "Sunday Night Football."
Minnesota Vikings predictions for Week 9 vs. the Indianapolis Colts
1. Jordan Addison will have his breakout game for 2024
Vikings fans may be frustrated with Addison after his off-the-field issues this past offseason and his “FREE 3” post on Instagram last weekend. While Addison dismissed any potential angst over his role, he hasn’t been used to his full potential and may finally get the rub this weekend.
Plenty of headlines will be centered on the return of T.J. Hockenson and the star tight end will have a big role. But Hockenson’s presence in the middle of the field could open up things on the outside where opposing defenses have been able to focus on Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor.
While the other receivers will get plenty of work, it could lead to a big game for Addison. Hampered by two ankle injuries to begin the year, Addison still created plenty of separation in the loss to the Rams and could have more opportunities with another weapon joining the fold on Sunday.
2. Jonathan Taylor will run for over 100 yards and a touchdown
The last time the Colts and Vikings met, it was known for the largest comeback in NFL history. But an underlying storyline in that game was the departure of Taylor, who left that game after a 13-yard reception in the first quarter.
Taylor has been battling with injuries over the past couple of seasons but he’s still a dominant force when he’s on the field. Averaging 4.9 yards a carry with five touchdowns this season, Taylor will run behind one of the league’s best offensive lines against a defense that allowed 116 yards and two touchdowns to Jahmyr Gibbs and 97 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown to Kyren Williams over the past two weeks.
This sets up for Taylor to have a big game in primetime and could expose a flaw in Brian Flores’s defense.
3. T.J. Hockenson will have a receiving touchdown in his return
We talked a little bit about Hockenson when discussing Addison’s potential on Sunday but coming off a multiligament knee injury, Hockenson could be the straw that stirs the drink for the Vikings’ offense.
Hockenson had 95 catches for the Vikings last season, but according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, he caught 55 passes between the numbers. Lewis went on to point out that the Vikings have only attempted 88 passes between the numbers this season, and getting Hockenson back could create a nightmare – especially when teams try to cover Hockenson with a linebacker.
While Sam Darnold has been solid as a starter, he’s typically forced the ball downfield, as Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver couldn’t provide the same impact as receivers. Getting Hockenson back will go a long way in restoring the Vikings' offense to full strength, and he could be the difference-maker in a game that could be closer than most expect.
Prediction: Vikings win 27-21