By admin 
The undefeated Minnesota Vikings will come back to work this week and attempt to sustain their winning ways as they prepare to host the Indianapolis Colts.
Read more Chargers CB Donte Jackson Is Linked to AFC Contender Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline
The Vikings (5-0) will soon get to a point in their schedule when they start to face the league’s toughest teams, but that won’t be in Week 7. The Indianapolis Colts have slipped to 2-4 in the AFC South after dropping a home game to the previously winless Tennessee Titans.
This is a disastrous occurrence for head coach Shane Steichen and it will make for a very uncomfortable week at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts were expected to have a solid opportunity to contend for the division title, but they have been unable to sustain any kind of success even though they have former Viking Daniel Jones at quarterback.
Fans may think that is a mistake, but Jones was with the Vikings for a brief period in 2024 after he was released by the New York Giants. The Vikings wanted to bring him back in 2025, but he opted to sign with the Colts. It has not gone well for Jones.
The biggest concern for the Vikings heading into this game may be overconfidence. That’s something that would really upset Kevin O’Connell because the Vikings have a ton of improvements to make on the offensive side of the ball.
They played a decent offensive game in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints as Kyler Murray completed his first 12 passes and also ran the ball effectively. Justin Jefferson made a spectacular TD catch and running back Aaron Jones busted the 100-yard mark.
Minnesota also should have a good chance to get several injured players back. They include TE T.J. Hockenson (concussion), RB Jordan Mason (thumb), WR Jordan Addison (hamstring) and OLT Christian Darrisaw (concussion). O’Connell gave a strong hint that Mason will be back, but official designations have not been issued on the other players.
Read more Commentary | What Super Bowl? Rams look lifeless during humbling loss to Cardinals.
Vikings can’t let overconfidence creep in
The overconfidence issue comes when the Vikings look at their opponent and come to the conclusion that they have a big advantage. How could they not after the Colts lost to a winless team?
O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores know better, but players are human beings. “We’re undefeated, we’re playing at home and they just lost to the Titans,” is the way that a number of players will think about it.
This is the week that O’Connell needs to come down hard and show a demanding side in practice. He knows that any of his players who take the Colts for granted are in for a rude awakening.
The Vikings nearly found themselves in the same position of losing to a winless team when they hosted the Miami Dolphins in Week 4. If it wasn’t for a decent showing in the fourth quarter, the Vikings would have suffered the embarrassment of suffering that kind of defeat.
One decent game on offense is no reason for the Vikings to feel good about themselves, let alone overconfident.
It is merely a starting point, and that’s what O’Connell has to get across to his players.
Read more Commentary | Mike McCarthy got bailed out by his Steelers players in Tampa
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published October 18, 2026 at 9:14 PM.