The Minnesota Vikings are back in primetime while the Colts are going back to their backup quarterback. Two surprising signal-callers will battle it out on Sunday Night Football, and there is plenty of DFS action available. Check out the NFL Showdown Slate DFS picks for the Week 9 matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1.1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (IND @ MIN)
Captain’s Picks
Jonathan Taylor ($15,900) — Uncertainty is not always a problem. Joe Flacco will start for the Colts, but ask the crystal ball if one QB plays all the snaps. Thankfully, the run game does not require a soothsayer — it’s all Jonathan Taylor. The Colts’ passing offense is struggling. Early down inadequacies are putting the passing game in predictable spots and deep behind the chains. Those pains can easily be alleviated. Give Taylor the rock and feed him 30 carries.
UTIL Plays
Justin Jefferson ($11,600) — There are only so many players in the pool. Why not roster a star who is one of the most consistent and productive NFL players over the last several seasons? It’s tough to work Jefferson in as a Captain, but it’s inexcusable to leave him out of a utility spot. The Colts’ pass defense ranks in the bottom 10. Sure, Colts cornerbacks Samuel Womack III and Jaylon Jones have elite PFF grades, but this is Justin Jefferson. No one stops him.
Vikings DST ($5,200) — Minnesota blitzes more than any team in the NFL (41.4%). Their 30.2% QB pressure rate is the best in the NFL, and they’re second in QB knockdowns and hurry rate. It shouldn’t be surprising that they lead the league in interceptions (12).
This is a tough matchup for the Colts. Flacco will likely fare better than Anthony Richardson would, but how long will the legend of Flacco continue? Is he for real? A matchup against a blitz-happy Vikings defense might be the end of the feel-good story.
Josh Downs ($8,000) — The heat is coming. The Vikings D will turn up the pressure on Joe Flacco ($9,600). The Colts’ game plan seems obvious. Run the ball and hit short routes, which Flacco is more than willing to target.
Flacco averages 2.4 seconds in the pocket, and his quick trigger makes Josh Downs the biggest beneficiary. Downs’ 5.2 aDOT ranks 96th and he lines up in the slot on 69.5% of the snaps. Josh “Check Down” Downs will get plenty of targets against the Vikings. He could get to double-digit receptions in a negative game script that forces the Colts to play catch-up and pass frequently.
Fades
Michael Pittman Jr. ($7,800) — Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that Anthony Richardson was still the starting quarterback. His answer lacked conviction. Days later, he changed his mind.
Joe Flacco is better but what’s the point of playing the vet? The season is lost. Flacco is currently scheduled to start but will he stick? Pittman and his stats want Team Flacco. The wideout excelled with Flacco under center. His numbers suffer with the young first-round pick in Richardson running the offense. The popular reaction to the Flacco news will be to jam Pittman into lineups, but his ownership may be higher than it should be given the tough matchup for the Colts.
THE OUTCOME
Anything can happen in the NFL. The Colts recovered in the second half in their close loss to the Texans in Week 8. “Flacco Magic” provides a spark, but the Colts need a fire. The Vikings aren’t making mistakes and aren’t getting burnt. Simply put, they’re playing great football.
Final Score: Minnesota Vikings 27, Indianapolis Colts 13
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1.1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (IND @ MIN)
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