EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings (5-2) will host the Colts (4-4) and try to break a two-game skid on Sunday Night Football in Week 9.

It is just the second game at U.S. Bank Stadium for Minnesota since Sept. 22, and the only one until Dec. 1, so the Vikings want to protect their home turf under the bright lights.

Vikings Uniform

The Vikings will wear their modern home uniform combination of purple jerseys and white pants.

4 Storylines

1. Cam Robinson joins the Vikings

For the third year in a row, the Vikings front office was motivated to "buy" ahead of the trade deadline out of necessity – Joshua Dobbs replaced Kirk Cousins after the quarterback suffered an Achilles injury in 2023 and T.J. Hockenson arrived to offset the placement of tight end Irv Smith, Jr., on Injured Reserve in 2022.

Minnesota agreed on terms of a trade with Jacksonville to bring Cam Robinson to the left side of the Vikings offensive line after Christian Darrisaw's season was upended by ACL and MCL injuries on Thursday Night Football.

Robinson, 29, has started all 91 regular-season games he's played. Robinson was held out by Jaguars coach Doug Pederson in Week 8 this year and played only five snaps in Week 7 – likely because the team wanted to gauge what it had behind Robinson before parting ways. In Week 5, he helped the Jags beat the Colts, 37-34.

Robinson arrived in Minnesota Wednesday and underwent a physical, so he was not yet available for Wednesday's practice.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell noted Robinson's experience, coupled with the nature of the tackle position – i.e. its primary responsibility on weighty downs is slowing down edge rushers – allows for a fairly smooth transition in a new system, no matter the differences in terminology.

Speaking of Hockenson, the two-time Pro Bowl invitee is fully recovered from his ACL and MCL tears and set to make his 2024 debut this week. He could quickly emerge as Sam Darnold's second-favorite target – Hockenson has reliable hands and averaged 8.5 targets per game in his first 25 appearances in Purple.

Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips credited Hockenson for "the mismatch that he can create against safeties [and] linebackers, [and] his ability to win versus match or man coverage." Phillips added: "All those things are pretty unique for a tight end who also gives you value in the run game."

2. Colts shift from Anthony Richardson to Joe Flacco

On Monday, Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen said in reference to Anthony Richardson, "We are evaluating everything." Less than 24 hours later, the Colts benched the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft in favor of Joe Flacco, who was drafted 18^th overall in 2008. It's a big move – but surprising? Not really.

Richardson's 44.8% completion rate (59-for-133) represents the lowest mark in the NFL, by about 15 points, among quarterbacks who have attempted at least 100 passes. It's a historically poor start over the first six games. In fact, according to Stathead, only 14 QBs since 1970 have posted a worse clip on 130-plus attempts in their first six games; Derek Anderson in 2009 (42.9%) is the only other since 2000.

The incompletions, seven interceptions and league-leading six fumbles reaffirm what masses believed of Richardson when he left for the NFL after 13 college starts: he's inexperienced; raw; and a project that'll take time, which right now the Colts aren't afforded. Indianapolis is one of eight AFC clubs .500 or better.

3. Epic last meeting

For 42 years, the gold standard of NFL regular-season comebacks was San Francisco's 28-point come-from-behind win over the Saints. The Vikings raised the bar on Dec. 17, 2022, against the Colts.

On that day, Minnesota fell behind 33-0 in an ugly first half, which featured four field goals, two non-offensive touchdowns and one pass for points by Matt Ryan. It was a gross sight for the 66,801 fans on hand at U.S. Bank Stadium. No fault to anyone who left, but the people who stayed witnessed history.

The Vikings stiffened in the third quarter, outscoring the Colts 14-3 and unleashed 22 consecutive points to tie the game in the fourth, eventually setting up Greg Joseph for the game-winning 40-yard kick in OT.

Here are some of the crazier notes in that game: Kirk Cousins passed for a then-personal-best 460 yards (he threw for 509 in Week 5 this season for the Falcons); K.J. Osborn was the top Vikings receiver, besting Justin Jefferson in yards, 157-123; Dalvin Cook had the exact number of receiving yards as he did rushing (95); and Chandon Sullivan returned two fumbles to the end zone, but they were both foiled by whistles.

4. Vikings defense regaining its footing

Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores said there's valuable lessons the Vikings can learn from their two losses: basic communication and checking into correct alignments; limiting penalties that revive drives; understanding the miniscule margin for error; and being disciplined in "the minutia within the details."

"It can become monotonous to set an edge over and over and over again when you know, 'If I jump inside, I can make a play,' " Flores conveyed Tuesday. "I talked to our guys about the 'my bad' plays. If you say, 'my bad' and you say 'my bad' and you say 'my bad' and you say 'my bad,' you end up with seven to 10 'my bad' plays. … I'm not saying people have to play perfect, but – I tell them that all the time, we don't have to play perfect, but we've got to play good. And what that means is doing the routine things."

Since their Week 6 bye, the Vikings have been gashed by the run (125.5 yards per game/4.3 yards per carry), picked on by the pass (263.0 yards per game/8.9 yards per attempt) and managed four sacks and two takeaways. In its 5-0 start, Minnesota mustered 20 sacks and forced 13 turnovers (2.6 avg.).

Flores acknowledged how big of a loss it is not having Mike linebacker and green dot Blake Cashman, but he repeated the same messaging as players recently – that they're embracing the next-man up mentality.

Cashman is five tackles short of team leader Harrison Smith (45) despite turf toe keeping him out of the past two games. That activity around the ball is missed, but more seriously is the drop-off in Minnesota's middle-of-the-field pass defense. Cashman is tied for second on the team with five passes defended – as many as teammates Camryn Bynum, Shaq Griffin and Byron Murphy, Jr.; he's patient and instinctive in coverage.

3 Things 'Bout the Colts

1. Good ground game

The Colts feature the No. 10 rushing offense in terms of yards on the ground, yards per rush, first downs and touchdowns. The ground attack has outgained the aerial assault two weeks straight.

Benching Richardson does sap the backfield – the dual-threat QB is contributing 40.3 yards rushing per game – but doesn't fully dehydrate it, because Jonathan Taylor picked up in Week 8 where he had left off in Week 4.

The 2021 NFL rushing champion missed three games after suffering an ankle injury in Week 4, but he was quick to regain form, putting up 105 yards at 5.3 a pop in the Colts narrow 23-20 loss to the Texans. On the year, Taylor has five end-zone visits, and he's averaging a healthy 4.9 yards per rush and 90.8 yards per game.

In Flacco's two starts earlier this year – the Colts, by the way, were handicapped without Taylor – the offense shuttled between Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson and had some semblance of balance, rushing for 99 and 80 yards against a pair of top-12 run defenses. The Vikings check in at No. 3 in that area.

2. Different offense with different quarterbacks

There's some unpredictability with Richardson behind center because of his freakish athleticism and throwing power – and flair for explosive, off-script playmaking over precise every-down execution.

Preparing to defend Flacco begs fewer questions but not fewer problems. The 39-year-old former Super Bowl MVP is 1-1 in starts this season for Indianapolis – he also relieved Richardson early against Pittsburgh in Week 4 and managed to usher a victory – and 5-2 in regular-season starts since 2023. For the Colts, Flacco's clipped 65.7% of his passes with 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one pick.

Incredibly, his 18 touchdown passes over his seven most recent starts (since Dec. 3 last season with Cleveland) count as the most in any seven-game span as a starter in Flacco's 17-year career. He's 39 years old and thriving.

The quarterback play, obviously, has a tremendous impact on offensive success.

In three games Flacco has taken 80% or more of the snaps, the Colts are averaging 23.7 points and winning the turnover margin 5-2. In five games of as many snaps with Richardson at the helm, the Colts are scoring 18.8 points per contest and losing the turnover battle 7-9. The latter player, of course, adds an offensive element that even on his springiest days Flacco can't match: He can beat opponents with his legs.

3. Barely blitzing

The Colts defense has blitzed on 15% of dropbacks this season. The only group with a smaller blitz percentage is the Jaguars (14.6%). Although Indianapolis' mainly four-man-or-fewer rushes are hurrying the passer, generating the seventh-most hurries (25), they're often shy of getting home. The Colts defense is tied for 20^th in sacks (16), tied for 24^th in knockdowns (15) and tied for 17^th in pressure rate (19.6%).

Individually, fourth-year defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo leads the whimsical Colts pass rush with 3.0 sacks, while prized rookie Laiatu Latu, the first defensive player picked in the 2024 NFL Draft, has two sacks across 308 defensive snaps. For a little cross-examination fun, Vikings rookie OLB Dallas Turner, drafted two slots after Latu, has half as many sacks in fewer than one-third of the defensive snaps.

Save for a breakout by any of the 12 Colts defenders with at least half-a-sack, Minnesota's revamped o-line should be able to keep Darnold clean. FYI, Robinson allowed zero pressures on Oct. 6 against Indy.

2 Vikings to Track

T.J. Hockenson: Often, we bring up approaching milestones, but this is more about completing a comeback for the tight end who was injured on his 95^th catch of 2023. Hockenson is expected to play and start making an impact on the offense. This will be Hockenson's third Week 9 game with Minnesota, falling almost two years after his Vikings debut. Hockenson quickly synched with the offense, catching nine passes for 70 yards on nine targets. Last season, he helped the combination of Jaren Hall and Joshua Dobbs with seven catches for 69 yards in Week 9 at Atlanta. Now, he'll need to coordinate with Darnold.

Justin Jefferson: The receiver will be playing his third career game against the Colts and has a streak of five consecutive games with at least six catches and 80 yards. It is the fourth such streak by a Vikings player all-time and his second. He can tie his run of six games in 2022, which ranks second in franchise history behind Adam Thielen (eight in 2018).

1 Key Matchup

Vikings secondary vs. Colts wide receivers

On Thursday Night Football, the Vikings defense struggled. Its pass-rush stalled, failing to record a sack for the first time this year; it buckled on weighty downs, giving up three touchdowns on three trips to the red zone; and the secondary allowed eight passes of 15-plus yards.

Enter: Alec Pierce and Josh Downs.

Both Colts receivers can take the top off defenses and score in a wink. Pierce has gone for 125-plus yards and a touchdown on three catches in two games already this year, and Downs went for 4-109-1 in Week 8. Together, they've submitted three of the NFL's 34 offensive plays in 2024 that have gained 60-plus yards.

Neither player, however, is WR1 on the Colts. That title belongs to Michael Pittman, Jr., in terms of pay and targets per game (6.6). Pittman's production has decreased from 72.0 yards per game in 2023 to 44.0 this season, and his catch rate of 54.7% is approximately 13 points lower than his career figure of 67.6% – but he's still dangerous. Pittman has drawn five-plus targets in 28 consecutive games.

All this to say, despite Indianapolis' offense on paper leaving a lot to desire, the Colts receiving corps can't be taken lightly. Pittman, Pierce and Downs are capable of changing and dominating scoreboards, so the Vikings will try to keep from adding to their tally of 24 pass plays of 20-plus yards allowed this season.

Flores stressed this week that defensive success formulates on the Vikings finding the right mixture of coverage, pressure, blitzes and max drops. That process is part of the ongoing chess match with offenses.

Friday Updates …

The following content was added Nov. 1 after initial publication.

Status Report

The Vikings ruled out linebacker Blake Cashman (toe) and defensive lineman Taki Taimani (ankle), which means Cashman will be out a third consecutive week. Taimani's status could create a situation where fellow rookie defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez is active for the first time.

Cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip) and guard Dalton Risner (back) were listed as questionable. Risner remains in his 21-day evaluation window and is eligible to be activated, but a corresponding move would be necessary.

O'Connell said newly acquired Cam Robinson had a good week of practice, but he declined to state who will start at left tackle in Minnesota's first game without left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8.

Memorable Week 9 Quotes

O'Connell on what he remembers about participating at the 2008 NFL Combine with Joe Flacco

"I just remember standing with Matt Ryan, who wasn't going to throw in the second group. We had just kind of got done running our 40s — and Matt probably didn't even do that, actually. But [we were] standing there, and I saw Joe throw a couple of those 'Go' balls, and I started thinking, 'Am I good enough to maybe not throw?' Because that guy can flat out spin it, throws it all over the yard. He's a mountain of a man and can see the whole field; has seen everything, now, throughout his career, done so many high, high-level things. I've got so much respect for what Joe has accomplished in this league. Always been a fan of his, just wasn't that day at the combine for what he was gonna make me look like a few minutes later."

Wes Phillips on losing Christian Darrisaw for the season

"What a warrior he's been, and what an unbelievable job he's done from the moment he stepped in this training camp. I thought he was playing his best football. I thought he was playing All-Pro level football and has just been a warrior for his teammates. And aside from the play, it really stemmed from the attention to detail, the work ethic, the leadership he had in that room. He's not a big, vocal leader, but the way he went about his work, day in and day out. That's why it — obviously no one more than him — but just killed me that, that happened for him, and I know he'll be back."

T.J. Hockenson on suiting up for his first game in 315 days

"I'm sure once the SKOL Chants go and once I'm around the crowd actually playing, it's going to mean a lot to me to be back out on the football field and back out there with the boys. I'm just really excited. There's a lot of emotions, obviously, that go through nine months of a rigorous injury like this, but to be out here and moving [and] have no pain, is absolutely incredible. And to feel at myself — better than myself — I'm just, again, super, super thankful. All the glory to the Man above."

Brian Flores on Dallas Turner's limited snaps and a conversation he had a couple years ago with Cam Heyward

"[Heyward is] a future Hall of Famer [and] he didn't play very much his first two years in the league. He was sitting behind some really good players. It made me think of Dallas [who is in] a room with a lot of good players. What he talked about was it was great to learn from that group, to be a sponge, and hear about the adjustments in the game and hear about the techniques you're going to use against that player versus that player, and he took in all that information. And when he got out there, he made the most of his opportunities. It wasn't as much as he wanted, but I think it ended up pretty good for him."

Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels on if Will Reichard had enough range for a field-goal attempt at end of Lions game

"Last thing I want is to send Will out there trying to hammer the football and now we've got a pulled groin as a result of it. The 73 yards was just a little tough, especially not with any wind aid or anything like that, but I'm confident that 68 yards could have definitely went through the uprights, for sure — 70 even, too. But had we not gotten the illegal formation that pushed us 5 yards back, we definitely would have sent Will out there, and the three [points] would have been coming. Three would have been coming."

From the Inbox

Just a question here. Why is offensive holding 10 yards and replay the down but defensive holding gives the offense a new set of downs? For instance, we sack a QB for a 16-yard loss on second-and-10. Now it's third-and-26.

Oops, we get an arm extended when the receiver tries to cut. OK, holding on defense, [5] yards and they are awarded a first down. Why not [5 or 10] yards and now it's third-and-16?????

Long suffering fan in South Carolina.

— Larry Cochran

Based on the severity of reward for the other team, there seems to be more of an effort to discourage defensive holding than offensive holding.

The holding penalty on a receiver (before a pass is thrown), which includes the 5 yards and an automatic first down, and pass interference (after a pass is thrown), which is spot of foul and an automatic first down, over-assume that every pass play would result in a catch, in my opinion. I've personally kind of gone back and forth on wishing pass interference in the NFL matched college mark-offs of 15 yards.

I've honestly not previously considered Larry's suggestion, but I'd be interested in seeing such an implementation. Mark off 5 or 10 without the automatic first down, and if the yardage results in a new set of downs, so be it. If not, replay the down after the mark-off.

Again, I'm guessing people believe if the penalty were reduced, the defense might be more inclined to commit those infractions, and the likes of Jefferson would get held more. People enjoy seeing offenses roll.

Layman perspective, here. Seems like there is a conceivable foul on almost every play in football. Some more egregious and influential than others, but there is space between fouls that occur and fouls that get called. Don't particularly care how refs define their proverbial strike/ball zone but the perceived inconsistency throughout the games and sometimes between teams is aggravating. With observant kids, it's hard to explain away. As a parent, I'm not a fan of perpetuating conspiracy theories for my children.

What can the Vikings do? What is the Vikings organization doing to keep the league competent, consistent, honest?

— Sarah Yacoub

There's a human element involved with having so many different officiating crews who are overseeing many plays that involve judgement calls. It seems like some groups consistently call more penalties than others, regardless of who is playing. The NFL rotates through groups of officials.

Teams keep tabs on the types of calls that are the most common among each crew and relay that as points of emphasis to players each week.

A long time ago I was a ref for college intramural basketball games. I tried to be correct with every call (probably missed some along the way — heard about a few, for sure!) and consistent when it came to the amount of contact I allowed each team and what constituted a foul.

The stakes and speeds are so much higher in NFL games, but so are the expectations for consistently accurate application of the rules, including but not limited to the facemask that wasn't called in Los Angeles.

O'Connell is pragmatic in his approaches, so I think he invests in trying to have clarity with each group of officials during every game and reinforces that during dialog with the league supervisors between the games. There's probably a blend of some improved mutual understanding and some agree to disagrees.

As a former high school and college football player, I know how much it can help players to play free and not have to think too much when schemes are simplified. The question I pose is, do you think it could help the Vikes on both sides of the ball if O'Connell's and Flores' schemes are not so complicated? Free 'em up! Because our coverage of the oppositions' receivers lately has been terrible — giving up too many third-and-longs for first downs. Also, on offense, too much thinking can contribute to many pre-snap penalties. My point is, too much thinking and not enough playing basic hard-nosed, fundamental football-like Vince Lombardi's teams did cause mistakes and losses!! Over-thinking, complicated schemes, one can tend to lose focus instead of just playing hard-nosed football. Thoughts???

— Gary in Mandan, North Dakota

Gary's question linked up with a line of questioning that ESPN's Kevin Seifert pursued with Justin Jefferson Thursday and with O'Connell on Friday.

Jefferson said O'Connell "kind of dialed it down" this week.

O'Connell has been disappointed by the pre-snap penalties (like illegal formations/illegal shifts) that have ransacked drives.

"I just think coaching in general, you know, as much as we try to hold the pen, as much as we try to give our players an advantage for their benefit, it's just a constant evaluation and reflection of, you know, the value received off of the things we do," O'Connell said Friday. "It could be great on one play, and then it could cause some things to be, you know, either hard to execute, if the noise is more than you think it is, or putting a little bit more on Sam's plate. And, 'Hey, do we need to do that? Well, it'd be great to do it, but let's be smart about this and treat each individual phase as how do we build the best game plan to have success this week?' So I think to the naked eye, it might look the same to our players. They might be able to. They might feel that way, hopefully that's the intent, is our players to feel like, 'Man, I love this game plan. We're sharp. We should be able to be crisp and efficient,' but at the same time, from our lens as coaches, we're still accomplishing the things we want to do to help our guys have success."