Sunday's game at Lucas Oil Stadium will match up the teams with the two lowest player payrolls in the NFL.
As of Thursday morning, the Indianapolis Colts ranked 31st with a 2012 cash spend of about $107.9 million, according to sources with access to NFL salary data. The Minnesota Vikings ranked 32nd with a cash spend of $105.3 million -- nearly $20 million below the league average of $124.6 million.
For both teams, though, there is an explanation that has nothing to do with philosophical frugality. Both teams are under the direction of new general managers who have replaced numerous high-priced veterans with younger players as part of multiyear plans to rebuild from the ground up.
As of Thursday morning, the Vikings ranked 11th in the NFL with about $8.2 million in salary cap space. It wouldn't be a surprise if some of that ends up being used before season's end on contract extensions for right tackle Phil Loadholt, middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley or one of the many potential free agents playing under one-year deals.