Colts at Vikings
The Indianapolis Colts had control of their own destiny before falling last week and now need to win and get some help to move back into the playoff picture in the AFC. The Minnesota Vikings, who host the Colts on Sunday, are trying to push themselves back into the playoff picture as well and enter the week one game out of a wild card spot in the NFC.
Indianapolis dropped a 22-17 decision at home to the Houston Texans last week to drop out of a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South and are staring at a final three games that include a trip to Oakland and a home game against Jacksonville after finishing up in Minnesota. "We had an opportunity to control our own destiny," Colts coach Chuck Pagano told reporters. "We don’t have that luxury anymore, but we can obviously control how we chose to move forward, how we choose to prepare, practice and play. All we can do is get ourselves ready to go. There are 16 regular-season games, we’ve got three left and we need to win them." There is more optimism in Minnesota, which got star running back Adrian Peterson back at practice this week. "We'll have to see where he's at in conditioning. There's so many things to figure out," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told reporters of Peterson. "I think he's in pretty good shape, but he hasn't sat in meetings for three months. There's a lot of things to consider."
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Vikings -4. O/U: 45.5
ABOUT THE COLTS (6-7): Indianapolis' inability to protect quarterback Andrew Luck is a big part of the problem this season, and the team figures to start three rookies on the offensive line Sunday. "It’s really been pretty much every week this season," Colts offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski told reporters about the offensive line challenge. "It seems like we’re talking about the same thing. The guys have to step up, step forward. Whoever that is that goes into the game and plays in that game, we have our challenges ahead of us. They’re outstanding (up) front." Luck missed practice time this week with shoulder and elbow injuries but is not expected to sit out on Sunday.
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (7-6): Peterson has not played since suffering a torn meniscus in Week 2, and a potential return this week will be discussed by several people in the organization. "I wouldn't say it was his decision," Zimmer told reporters of Peterson. "I would say it's a combination. We'll sit down and talk, and the medical people (will weigh in). It's a lot to do with the medical." Minnesota is last in the league in rushing yards (954) and yards per rushing attempt (3.0), and leading rusher Jerick McKinnon managed 31 yards on 14 carries in last week's win at Jacksonville.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Vikings S Harrison Smith (ankle) and CB Trae Waynes (concussion) were held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday while DE Everson Griffen (hip) was a limited participant.
2. Indianapolis WR T.Y. Hilton combined for 261 receiving yards in the last two games.
3. Minnesota QB Sam Bradford leads the NFL in completion percentage (71.2).