INDIANAPOLIS – Curious on some key numbers ahead of the Week 15 matchup between the Colts (7-6) and Vikings (7-6)?
Here are 10 numbers to keep an eye on with the Colts and Vikings kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday:
0
The number of 300-yard passers the Vikings have allowed this season. Minnesota is one of three teams in the league to have not allowed a 300-yard passer all season (Arizona and Houston are the others). That's not great news to Andrew Luck fantasy owners this week, especially with Donte Moncrief nursing a hamstring injury.
2
The magic number for the Houston Texans to eliminate the Colts from the AFC South race. The Colts need a lot of help to get into the playoffs. They have to make up two games on the Texans and one on the Titans. Houston dropping two games over the final three (Jacksonville, Cincinnati, @Tennessee) doesn't look very likely on paper. The Colts still have a trip to Oakland next week, on a short week with the game Saturday due to Christmas.
3
The number of positions Joe Haeg has started at this season. For the first time since 1998, a rookie lineman has started at three different positions up front in his first season. Haeg will be back at right guard this week. The Indy offensive line will be tested, without Jack Mewhort, Denzelle Good and Joe Reitz against one of the league's best fronts.
4
The number of players the Colts have put on injured reserve this season. Jack Mewhort is probably the biggest loss for the Colts. But the team also lost two starting defensive backs (CB-Patrick Robinson and S-Clayton Geathers) for the season this week. That secondary has dealt with some shuffling before and will do it for the rest of 2016.
6
The number of touchdowns for Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph this season, tied for the NFL lead. We saw last week with the Texans that they found success in using the tight end position. Minnesota lacks a ton of explosive receives, but the 6-7 Rudolph is a major asset, especially close to the goal line.
17.3
The points allowed per game this season by the Vikings, the fewest in the NFL. With three major injuries on offense this season, the Vikings have leaned on a stifling defense to keep them in the playoff race. The Vikings also rank 2nd in the NFL with a plus 12 turnover ratio.
25
The number of combined sacks for the Vikings defensive ends this season, the most in the NFL. Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter might not be household names to Colts fans, but they should be this week. Minnesota's four-man front is where the defensive magic starts for arguably the league's best defense.
50
The number of receiving yards T.Y. Hilton is away from the top spot in the NFL this season. When the Pro Bowl team is announced next Tuesday, Hilton will find his way into his third All-Star game. Hilton has had some quiet games in 2016, but his overall production is extremely impressive. With the NFL's leading receiver Julio Jones dealing with a toe injury, Hilton could climb to No. 1 this week.
52
The Super Bowl number that Minnesota will host next season. With a high temperature in the negatives on Sunday, the Colts should be mighty glad the Vikings aren't playing outdoors. After two years outdoors, the Vikings are in their new U.S. Bank Stadium. The christened stadium will host next season's Super Bowl.
71.2
The completion percentage for Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford, the best in the NFL. When the Vikings had to change offensive coordinators in early November, new OC-Pat Shurmur has drilled getting the ball out quicker for Bradford. The former No. 1 overall pick is doing that and doing it while protecting the ball. Bradford has thrown just three picks all season and none in six home games.
