Vikings VS Colts Predictions

[1noahz23]

After a spectacular comeback win over the Jags in week 1, how do you think things will play out against rookie sensation Andrew Luck and the Colts? And also, I did a predictions topic last week for the jags vs vikes game, and I'm planning to do a predictions topic every week.

[dead_poet]

That Colts offensive line is ripe for the picking. The Bears feasted last week and now their starting RT Winston Justice (already not good) sustained a concussion and I doubt if he plays. He was replaced by G/T Jeff Linkenbach. It will probably be him or street free agent cut by the Steelers and recently signed T/G Trai Essex. Robison should feast again if he plays with the motor he did in the first game. Pressure on Luck is essential. Their running game isn't a worry if everyone plays up-tempo disciplined football. If Collie sits again the only receiver to worry about is Wayne, and the VIkings generally do a great job of keeping opposing #1 receivers quiet.

On offense, the Colts have been notoriously bad at defending the run, though didn't do a horrible job of stopping Forte/Bush. I expect to run on them. Often and successfully. If I'm the Vikings, I lean on the running game/Harvin in this one again. As long as they win the turnover battle, I think they can win. Possibly by 10 or more. Hopefully Second Half Ponder shows up. I think we match up well in this one and have a very good chance at coming out 2-0, provided the offense doesn't start off anemic again.

[losperros]

The Vikings should win this one but there are some red flags here. By beating the Jags the Vikings proved they could top another team that is missing some pieces in the puzzle. But that was at home and they'll be on the road against Indy. At this point we don't really know what that means. Maybe nothing, maybe a lot.

Which Christian Ponder will show up? The Vikings need the motivated, high energy Ponder every game, including against the Colts. They need the Ponder that takes the snap and goes back and does something with the ball quickly. They can't afford the Ponder that stands in the pocket looking lost. Even Ponder has admitted as much.

The Vikings also need to remember to get Harvin involved in the game and do it a lot. He was targeted early against the Jags, but then almost forgotten for a brief bit. Then the Vikings remembered him and started utilizing his skills. They need to be aggressive with their playmakers. The entire team, from players to the coaches, must come out swinging in every contest.

And Adrian Peterson needs to continue being...well...Adrian Peterson.

As for the Vikings defense, it's a work in progress. That said, a dramatic pass rush and unrelenting DL penetration into the Colts offensive backfield would be great.

[admvp]

As low as my expectations were going into the season, the Vikings still somehow managed to fall short of them, needing OT to beat lowly Jacksonville in the dome. Come on.

And now we play another terrible team. We sure are lucky.

Our secondary is going to make Andrew Luck look like the next Peyton Manning I'm sure (just 3 years too early). And yet as bad as our defense is, theirs is worse. So I think Ponder and Peterson will both have very good days.

I have a shootout, and I think the Vikings will be able to barely outscore the Colts in this one.

I got Vikes 38, Colts 35.

[Purple bruise]

I believe that the Vikes win two in a row, put up 31 points to the Colts 28.

[jackal]

The Vikings will have score 21 points and there defense will have to show up big to win.

I hope they win but I am not really confident

[hibbingviking]

jags had a decent defense. ponder had a decent game.
vikings 27 colts 24

[PurpleMustReign]

We will not beat the Colts.

Indy 31
Vikes 21

[Just Me]

Will our Vikings take inspiration from snatching victory from the jaws of defeat on Sunday? In years past, they folded in these situations, but came up big on Sunday. Will that be the impetus for them to gain confidence and improve this year, taking one more victory when they go into Indianapolis? Or will they "rest on their laurels" and go in expecting to beat a sub-standard Cols team...and get their you-know-whats handed to them on a platter?

Playing a substandard Colts team? Should Win
Playing a Road Game? Enough Said.

31-28 (in OT - again) Vikings

[Mothman]

As low as my expectations were going into the season, the Vikings still somehow managed to fall short of them, needing OT to beat lowly Jacksonville in the dome. Come on.

Don't forget that "lowly" Jacksonville won 2 more games than the Vikes did last year. This a new season anyway so for all we know, Jacksonville might not be bad. The NFL can be funny that way...

I think snatching victory from the jaws of defeat last Sunday will make a difference this week, giving the Vikes much-needed confidence. They'll go into Indy and come out with a win in another close game.

[mondry]

Vikes 28 - colts 17

The o-line for the colts just wont get it done with a rookie QB. Meanwhile the Indy defense will have a tough time stopping peterson and gerhart opening things up in the passing game.

[canadaviking08]

Don't forget that "lowly" Jacksonville won 2 more games than the Vikes did last year. This a new season anyway so for all we know, Jacksonville might not be bad. The NFL can be funny that way...

I think snatching victory from the jaws of defeat last Sunday will make a difference this week, giving the Vikes much-needed confidence. They'll go into Indy and come out with a win in another close game.

I could not agree with you more Mothman. Everyone is so quick to say a team is bad based on last year but the NFL has proven to surprise us every year. they did have a very good defense last year, a great RB in MJD and new coaching. To me they are identical to the Vikes with a second year QB and not surprised this game was close.

[The Breeze]

don't understand the comments on how bad J-ville is. They were a better team than us last season...and looked pretty good to me last week. They had trouble containing Rudolph and Harvin which should be a common occurrence this season. Those two are tough covers for any defense...and j-ville has a good defense. Gabbert looked really good also. They are weak in the weapons dept. on offense and their record shows it.

next week I think the Viking defense will be more sound, but Luck will move the ball. I think the playcalling on defense will be a big factor in keeping Luck from getting too comfortable. I expect the secondary to be quicker to the ball.

I expect the offense to get going early.....maybe some no huddle to get them in a grove. AP will be able to run on this colt team.

The Vikes get an early lead and win by 10 .....taking what the Colt defense gives them rather than imposing their will on them.

[VikingLord]

So much depends on whether Luck can get going. If the Vikings can pressure him and prevent him from getting into a rhythm, I'd say the chances of a Viking win are very good. The Vikings defense should be up to the task with some of the issues the Colts have on their offensive line, so I don't see the Colts putting up a lot of points or sustaining a lot of long drives. If anything, the quick hitters will be what kills the Vikings (looking at you, Chris Cook and Mistral Raymond).

Offensively, the Vikings just have to be smart, which basically translates to Ponder has to be smart. I think the Vikes will churn out respectable ground totals, but the key will be Ponder taking care of the ball and being the QB that finished 17-20 and made the clutch plays at the end of the game. His confidence should be high and I expect him to build off it with another solid performance.

I'll give this one to the Vikes by a surprisingly comfortable 21-7 margin. Should be another confidence booster heading into the contest against the 49ers.

On a sidenote, the Jags are not a bad team based on what I saw. They probably should be 1-0 right now, quite frankly, and Gabbert looked the part of a legit NFL QB to me. Might not be a great team record-wise this season, but the future looks about as bright for them as it does for the Vikings if one is inclined to believe the future in Minny is bright.

[petev_sj]

Hi guys, thanks for letting me participate. Hopefully more Vikings fans will come to this site.

My prediction: Vikings 28 Colts 24. I think Harvin returns another kickoff TD.