Who plays on Sunday Night Football? Breaking down Week 9 matchup – USA TODAY

This week’s “Sunday Night Football” matchup features two teams in interesting situations entering the prime-time game.
The Indianapolis Colts are on the road and will play their first game after benching second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Veteran Joe Flacco will start under center instead after the “tired” young gunslinger tapped out of the Colts‘ Week 8 loss to the Houston Texans for one play despite not suffering any injury.
Across the field are the Minnesota Vikings, who return home after a Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on “Thursday Night Football.” Minnesota will be looking to avoid its third straight loss after opening the season with five straight wins. Its two-game losing streak was enough to drop the Vikings from first place in the NFC North down into third.
Here’s what to know for tonight’s “Sunday Night Football” game:
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Both teams playing on “Sunday Night Football” this week are coming off of Week 8 losses.
The Colts were on the road in Houston for a divisional matchup that would determine which team would take the top spot in the AFC South heading into Week 9. Trailing 17-10 at halftime, Indianapolis’ comeback attempt came up short in a 23-20 loss.
Richardson started under center for the sixth time this season and finished 10-of-32 for 175 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His 31.3% completion rate was the worst of his career through 10 starts. However, the bigger issue from Richardson’s poor outing was his answer when asked why he departed the game on a crucial third-and-goal play in the third quarter before returning for the next drive.
“Tired, I ain’t going to lie,” Richardson said. “That was a lot of running right there, and I didn’t think I was going to go that next play. I needed a break right there.”
On Tuesday, the Colts announced they were benching Richardson in favor of Flacco, their backup quarterback, who has a 1-1 record in two starts this year.
Earlier in the week, the Vikings dropped their second straight game with a 30-20 loss to the Rams on “Thursday Night Football.” Minnesota’s offense, particularly quarterback Sam Darnold, started the game well with two straight touchdown drives. Darnold was a perfect 8-of-8 with 97 yards and two touchdown passes.
The Vikings slowed down after that first quarter and were held to just two field goals for the remainder of the game. Darnold took a sack in the end zone late in the fourth quarter for a game-sealing safety on Minnesota’s last possession.
Their defense also continued to have some issues. After beginning the season averaging just 10 points allowed per game, the Vikings gave up four touchdowns in Week 8 for the third time in four games. They also allowed their first first-quarter touchdown of the season against the Rams.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON:Colts to bench starting quarterback after Week 8 controversy, per reports
“Sunday Night Football” will kick off at its standard start time, 8:20 p.m. ET.
Once again, Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties during the game, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary and Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines during Colts vs. Vikings.
NBC’s weekly “Football Night in America” pregame show will begin at 7 p.m. ET and feature insight from a panel of analysts, including Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett, Chris Simms, Mike Florio, Devin McCourty, Tony Dungy, and more.
For the 2024 NFL season, NBC will broadcast “Sunday Night Football” weekly.
Fans who prefer to stream football games can watch “Sunday Night Football” with a Peacock subscription or with Fubo, which offers a seven-day free trial.
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