by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Aug 17, 2021
Game time: 8 p.m. ET; Aug. 21, 2021
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Where to listen: NFL Game Pass, Westwood One, Sirius XM
Preseason to date
Colts: 1-0 (last game, won 21-18 vs. Carolina)
Vikings: 0-1 (last game, lost 33-6 vs. Denver)
Last week’s stats leaders
Colts:
Passing: Jacob Eason -- 15-for-21, 183 yards; Sam Ehlinger -- 10-for-15, 155 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Sam Ehlinger -- 8 carries, 30 yards
Receiving: Tarik Black -- 3 catches, 67 yards
Defense: Joey Ivie -- 1 sack
Vikings:
Passing: Kellen Mond -- 6-for-16, 53 yards
Rushing: A.J. Rose Jr. -- 25 carries, 100 yards
Receiving: A.J. Rose Jr. -- 1 catch, 18 yards
Defense: Troy Dye -- 7 tackles
Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Vikings -2.5, Colts +2.5
BetMGM: Vikings -2.5, Colts +2.5
FanDuel: Vikings -2.5, Colts +2.5
Larry Ness went 3-1-1 last week in the first set of NFL Preseason games. Keep an eye on our Shop Picks page to see what Larry and our other champion handicappers will do this week. Don’t miss that big winner, or any of their premium picks.
Colts - Vikings preview
The Indianapolis Colts will continue their compelling backup quarterback battle when they visit the Minnesota Vikings in their second preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday.
The Colts are coming off a 21-18 victory against the Carolina Panthers that saw their young quarterbacks shine, all while presumed starter Carson Wentz continues to rehab from foot surgery.
Jacob Eason and Texas rookie Sam Ehlinger combined for 338 yards and no touchdowns at Lucas Oil Stadium, bringing yet another week to figure out who is likely to back up Wentz in the Indianapolis offense come Week 1.
Ehlinger’s dual-threat game was on display with leading the Colts in rushing, 30 yards on eight carries. The former Longhorn looked comfortable in coach Frank Reich’s system, but did throw the lone interception from the Indy side.
The Colts offense is going to be the big question mark outside of Jonathan Taylor, Marlon Mack and T.Y. Hilton when the time comes. But you’re not going to find another compelling battle for the backup quarterback position than this one.
As for the Vikings, they’re hoping to turn the page rather quickly after last week’s debacle against the Denver Broncos. Minnesota got a combined 11-for-26 performance from their two quarterbacks, and their leading receiver was their running back, A.J. Rose Jr., who ran for 100 yards.
It’s unclear if the first-team offense will get some looks. Kirk Cousins may not play this entire preseason because his plexiglass case isn’t done yet (kidding), but to get Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook in the fold is something they may need to try.
Minnesota’s defense was torched by the combo of Drew Lock and former Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. It was probably one of the best performances by a Denver quarterback tandem since Peyton Manning. The game was over in the first quarter after Minnesota surrendered a safety and an 80-yard touchdown in less than five minutes.
“Other than that, it was fine,” reads Mike Zimmer’s tombstone because his team killed him.
Betting trends
The over has cashed in six of the last seven Colts road games.
Bad news: The Vikings have lost their last seven against the spread.
Prediction
There’s a reason why the games are not made for importance in August. But as far as the Colts go, trying to get through the Vikings defense may not be that difficult right now. Colts win 27-17.
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
