On paper, the Week 7 game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings looks like a mismatch. The undefeated Vikings are coming off a bye and playing at home, where crowd noise will only serve to supplement their formidable attacking defense. The Colts just lost to a winless team at home and fired their general manager. Is there any hope at all?
Somewhat surprisingly, the point spread stands at 6.5 right now. Again, on paper, you might expect it to be several points higher. That speaks to the fact that, despite their myriad problems, the Colts still have a dangerous team that can cause problems for anyone.
But if that is to happen on Sunday, they have to fix – or least ameliorate – a lot of issues. Here are five major things Shane Steichen needs to address if his team is going to pull an upset in Week 7.
The Indianapolis Colts must come up with answers to these 5 problems in Week 7
Jalen Travis needs to play his best game of the year
Travis has been getting killed of late, and I’m not sure it has been entirely justified. But there's no denying he has looked bad at times – most recently against Tennessee and their edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. Travis is big and tall, and if his technique is not sound, he is very susceptible to speed rushers.
That could lead to a true nightmare against the Vikings and Dallas Turner, who is averaging more than one sack per game this year. You can be certain that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will have special attacks planned for the Colts' right tackle.
He will blitz all game long, preventing Indy from offering much help to Travis. He will have to stand up to Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, and the host of other edges, linebackers, and safeties who will be testing the entire Colts line for four quarters.
The Colts defense has to contain Kyler Murray
The Vikings quarterback may not run like he once did, but he is still very dangerous when he finds a crease. The middle of the Colts' defense has provided lots of creases to opposing offenses this year. Lou Anarumo’s defense has generated decent pressure in the middle of the line, but the edge rushers have not been able to capitalize on collapsing pockets.
Everything about this matchup suggests Murray may have to move early, but will find lanes available on the outside. And once he gets past the initial wave, the Colts' linebackers – who already struggle to cover the middle of the field – will be in a very disadvantageous position.
This will require a complete defensive effort, and when was the last time Indy managed that? The line – especially the edges – needs to maintain gap integrity, and the linebackers and safeties need to be aware of Murray’s skill in getting into the secondary. Murray ran for 51 yards in the Vikings' last game – his most since 2024. Indy does not want to remind him that he can still hurt a defense with his legs.
Daniel Jones needs to play in rhythm
On the other hand, if Daniel Jones were ever to run, this game would seem to provide the ideal opportunity. Jones has only run for more than ten yards once this season. His yards-per-game and yards-per-attempt are the lowest of his career.
Ideally, he shouldn’t be running very often, but he needs to make the Vikings' defense pay if they blitz and leave him a lane to escape. It remains an open question as to whether he can still do that.
And, of course, it isn’t just about the run. He will be under pressure all game long and will need to make smart, quick decisions about where to go with the ball. Theoretically, this should be where a good offensive coach like Shane Steichen can really help design plays to beat the blitz. But Jones will have to execute under trying conditions.
Don’t let TJ Hockenson run wild
Job 1 when defending the Minnesota Vikings is shutting down Justin Jefferson. Fortunately, in Sauce Gardner, the Colts have one of the few corners in the league who can stay with the Vikings' star receiver. Still, Jefferson will make plays. It’s more or less a given.
What the Colts can’t allow is for another receiver to have a big game, and tight end TJ Hockenson would seem to be the most likely to do that. Even after leaving their most recent game with a concussion, he has been Kyler Murray’s top target this year.
In the week prior to his concussion, Hockenson was targeted 13 times and caught all 13 passes. The Colts have really struggled to cover the middle of the field where Hockenson thrives. The Steelers Pat Freiermuth burned them two weeks ago, and Hockenson is an even more dynamic receiving option.
Keep the ball away from Myles Price
The Colts' special teams gave up a devastating blocked punt that went a long way toward sealing their loss to Tennessee last week. But don’t forget that on the preceding punt, they also surrendered a 58-yard punt return to Chimere Dike, which set up the Titans' first touchdown. That’s bad, but Dike is a really good returner.
The problem is that the Vikings' Myles Price is an even better returner. He has averaged more than ten yards per return in every game this season. He has taken one back all the way and had another 43-yard return in Minnesota’s last game against the Saints.
Even if they play a very good game, the Colts are not likely to build a sizeable lead. One big special teams play could determine things, and Myles Price can make a big play at any moment.
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