Desperate for a win, the Indianapolis Colts are back on the road in Week 7 to take on the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings.
At 2-4 on the season and having just fired GM Chris Ballard, the Colts' season feels as if it's on the verge of spiraling. The next few weeks will likely play a pivotal role in determining how Indianapolis approaches the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
As far as this week's game goes, the Vikings will present a unique challenge with their aggressive and blitz-heavy approach on defense under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings' passing game, meanwhile, features Justin Jefferson.
Can the Colts come away with a crucial win? Here is what the experts are predicting.
ESPN
A clean sweep -- and not in favor of the Colts. All eight ESPN analysts are picking the Vikings to win.
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio is picking the Vikings to win by multiple scores, 30-17.
"Four years later, the Vikings shouldn’t have to come back from a 33-0 deficit to the Colts."
USA Today
More votes for the Vikings. All six of the USA Today panel of predictors like Minnesota.
NFL.com
You guessed it -- another sweep in favor of the Vikings. Here is why Bobby Kownack likes the Vikings in this game:
"The Colts QB has done little this year to show he’s the same guy who appeared to have revived his career with Indy before tearing his Achilles last season. He's thrown just four touchdown passes against six interceptions -- add in four fumbles, and this is exactly the type of quarterback the Vikings can feast on. Kyler Murray also seemed to settle in more in Week 5 against the Saints, posting his best completion percentage (80%) and passer rating (109.6) as a Viking. Now, he’s coming off a bye to face a bottom-10 defense."
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco is picking the Vikings as well, although he does believe it will be close. Vikings win, 21-18.
"The Vikings are off a bye, while the Colts are off a terrible home loss to the Titans. That led to the firing of general manager Chris Ballard. Maybe that gives the Colts a bump. Beating the Vikings' defense will mean a lot of Jonathan Taylor. I think we see that as the Colts keep it close, but just miss out on the upset."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL experts predict winner of Colts vs. Vikings Week 7 matchup