Indianapolis at Minnesota Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) and Minnesota Vikings (7-6) are both outside the playoffs looking in entering Week 15, and the loser of Sunday’s matchup in Minneapolis probably can start making offseason golf plans. While there could be terrible weather in the Midwest on Sunday, that won’t be a problem in the Vikings’ dome. Here’s a look at the NFL odds for the game.

Indianapolis at Minnesota Odds, Free Pick & TV Info

Today’s injury report powered by @ATIPT: pic.twitter.com/hswXX1W4xz
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 14, 2016

When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 PM ET Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis TV: CBS Radio: Indianapolis / Minnesota Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Lines: Vikings -4 (45.5)

Why Bet on Indianapolis?

The Colts lost 22-17 at home to Houston last Sunday. Andrew Luck was 24 of 45 for 276 yards with two TD passes, two interceptions and one fumble. T.Y. Hilton had nine catches for 115 yards and a 35-yard TD catch that closed Indy’s deficit to 19-17 early in the fourth quarter. A game after scoring three TDs, tight end Dwayne Allen was held without a catch in Week 14. He was targeted twice in the pass game. Allen fell down on a route for Luck’s first interception. He was forced to stay in an block with two of the Colts’ offensive lineman suffering injuries. A victory would have allowed the Colts to control their destiny to win the AFC South. Now they likely need to win out and get help from the teams that Houston and Tennessee face in their final three weeks. The Colts haven’t missed the playoffs in back-to- back seasons since 1997-98. Luck is dealing with right shoulder and elbow injuries. Luck said he "absolutely" expects to play against the Vikings. Since entering the NFL in 2012, Luck has been hit 456 times, which is the third most in the league. He has been blitzed 947 times, which is the second most in that period despite missing 10 games. Next up for Luck is a Vikings defense that has 35 sacks, which is the third most in the NFL this season. Frank Gore and Adam Vinatieri continue climbing the NFL charts. Gore, the Colts’ top running back, finished with 74 yards from scrimmage vs. the Texans to move past Terrell Owens (16,185) for No. 11 on the NFL’s list. And Vinatieri scored five points, ending the day with 104 to extend his NFL record to 19 100-point seasons. The Colts placed LG Jack Mewhort on injured reserve, ending his season. Probably Indianapolis’ best offensive lineman, Mewhort went down in last week’s loss with a knee injury and didn’t return.

Why Bet on Minnesota?

The Vikings ended a two-game slide with a 25-16 win in Jacksonville last week. Matt Asiata scored on a short touchdown run, Kai Forbath kicked four field goals and Minnesota won for just the second time in nine weeks. Asiata had a chance to score three times, but he was stopped on a fourth-and- goal run in the second quarter and fumbled at the goal line in the fourth. Sam Bradford completed 24 of 34 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. His 3-yard TD toss to Kyle Rudolph with 2:13 remaining sealed the victory. Stefon Diggs, the Vikings’ leading receiver, has a chance to be the team’s first wideout since Randy Moss to catch at least 100 passes in a season. He’s caught 78 so far, despite missing two games, and he’ll line up all over the field for the Vikings on Sunday. Bradford is still protecting the ball very well, but Minnesota is 31st in total offense and 32nd in rushing offense. A plus 12 turnover ratio (2nd in the NFL) is a major reason why the Vikings are still in the playoff picture. Minnesota’s defense ranks 1st in points allowed this season and 4th in sacks. That defense will be without star safety Harrison Smith. He is dealing with Grade 3 high ankle sprain and didn’t play last week. He might not return this season. Anthony Harris, who played in place of Smith against the Jaguars, had an “up-and- down day,” as Coach Mike Zimmer put it. Vikings C Joe Berger returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. Berger was hoping to suit up last week against Jacksonville but couldn’t pass his final concussion test. And in bigger news, star running back Adrian Peterson (knee, I.R.) returned to practice Wednesday. He’s officially been designated as the Vikings’ I.R.-return player and can be activated any time within the next three weeks. Peterson isn’t going to play this week against the Colts, but sights have been set on Week 16 against the Packers.