Sunday Night Football in Week 9 has one very interesting storyline that is circulating the league: The Indianapolis Colts (+5.5) have benched second year QB Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. The decision has sparked discussions around the league about the turnover of young quarterbacks we’ve seen over the last few years. For the Colts, they believe Flacco can take this mediocre team to a playoff birth, and that’s what matters this season. On the other side of this matchup, the Minnesota Vikings are coming off back-to-back losses after a 5-0 start and hope to get back on track with the return of Pro Bowl tight end TJ Hockenson, making his season debut. The total sits at 46.5, and it seems like we could be in for a higher-scoring game on Sunday.
Michael Pittman (IND) over 52.5 receiving yards (-113)
Line available on Fanduel Sportsbook at the time of publishing.
While it feels like the entire world is on Josh Downs on Sunday night due to Flacco’s return under center, I’m actually pivoting to Michael Pittman, who equally serves to benefit from this switch. After watching Puca Nacua tear up the VIkings defense last week on the perimeter I wanted to go back to the big bodied Pittman who saw 18 targets this season in the 3-game stretch that Flacco played. Pittman boasts a 24.3% target share against zone coverage, which the Vikings run at the 3rd highest rate in the league. Assuming this is a higher scoring game (total 46.5), Pittman should be in for a big night. It’s worth mentioning that both of his TDs this season came with Flacco at QB. This is a 1u play from me.