Vikings vs. Rams Odds, Best Bets: 5-1 Vikes Favored in Los Angeles

Vikings vs. Rams Betting Preview

Minnesota Vikings Betting News, Analysis

The Vikings have been outstanding on both sides of the ball despite low preseason expectations. In fact, this team's preseason win total was set at just 6.5 at most sportsbooks.

While the offense was expected to struggle with Sam Darnold at the helm, the defense faced questions about how it would hold up without two of its top pass rushers after both Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum left this offseason.

But head coach Kevin O'Connell's QB-friendly scheme has put Darnold in positions to succeed, and the journeyman former Jet, Panther and 49er has responded with the best stretch of his career.

The Vikings lost a close game to division rival Detroit last Sunday. Still, this team hardly looks like a flash in the pan. Minnesota not only won its first five games of the year, but did so despite facing solid opposition including the 49ers, Texans and Packers.

The Vikings struggled on defense in last week's loss to the red-hot Lions, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores's unit has been as disruptive as any D in the league. Minnesota is second in the league in turnovers forced (14 in just six games, including a league-leading 11 interceptions). It has also scored three defensive touchdowns while allowing less than 18 points per game.

Detroit's Jared Goff was able to find receivers downfield against Minnesota despite heavy pressure in Week 7, but he is the only quarterback this year who has managed to make the Vikes pay for their aggressive approach without turning the ball over.

Los Angeles Rams Betting News, Analysis

The Rams' 2-4 record is a bit misleading.

They took Detroit to overtime on the road in Week 1, beat San Francisco in Week 3 and lost by a touchdown or less to both the Bears and the Packers. Sean McVay's squad has been a tough out despite a number of injuries, and the Rams should benefit massively from the return of star WR Cooper Kupp in this game.

In Kupp's only full game this year, he torched Detroit back in Week 1, with 110 yards and a touchdown on 14 receptions. Even with Puka Nacua still sidelined, Matthew Stafford and Kupp are enough to make this offense dangerous, especially if RB Kyren Williams can provide balance against a Vikings defense that is one of the best in the league at stopping the run.

Defensively, the Rams will have their hands full with Jefferson and the Minnesota offense, but L.A. has been solid on that side of the ball this year, with one exception: a Week 2 meltdown aginst Kyler Murray and the Cardinals.

Vikings vs. Rams Prediction, Best Bets

The Rams are in an interesting predicament.

Despite their record, they've been competitive in almost every game. Also worth noting: we watched Stafford and this team overcome a slow start and reach the playoffs just last year, when they finished 10-7 after winning just three of their first nine games.

Rumors swirled this week about a Kupp trade, which would signal this franchise punting on this season -- if Kupp were dealt, would the Rams entertain offers for Stafford as well?

While a Rams loss would pour fuel on the flames of the trade speculation surrounding those two, a win would keep this team squarely in the mix in the NFC West, where all four teams already have at least three losses.

Given these circumstances, it's hard to see Minnesota winning this one comfortably on the road. In fact, if the Rams were getting more than a field goal, I'd like them to at least cover. That being said, the 3-point spread in favor of the vistors screams, "stay away."

My favorite play in this matchup is the over. While Minnesota's defense has created plenty of havoc this season, it has been a bit feast-or-famine, particularly against the Packers in Week 4 and the Lions in Week 7.

So we'll go with Stafford and the Rams to make this a memorable Thursday night shootout featuring plenty of big plays by both sides.

In addition to the over, we like L.A. to get off to a strong start, making the Rams' first half moneyline a quality option at an enticing price.

Vikings vs. Rams Best Bets

• Over 48 (-110 at DraftKings, bet365) 1 unit
• Rams 1H moneyline (+125 at bet365) 1 unit

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