As the NFL season hits week 8, fans in Los Angeles gear up for an exciting Thursday Night Football matchup. The Minnesota Vikings are set to clash with the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Minnesota recently suffered their first defeat of the season, losing a nail-biter to the Lions at home with a score of 31-29, while Los Angeles managed to secure a narrow victory over the Raiders, winning 20-15. Historically, the Vikings lead the all-time series against the Rams with a record of 22-16-2, although the Rams have triumphed in their last two encounters, including a 30-23 victory in December 2021.
Vikings Look to Bounce Back
The Vikings faced a challenging game against the Lions, falling short in the closing moments. As they approach this match with a 5-1 record, they find themselves tied for first in the NFC North, though Detroit currently holds the tiebreaker. In their recent performance against Detroit, Minnesota initially led 10-0 but found themselves trailing 21-10 at halftime. A late fourth-quarter rally gave them a brief 29-28 advantage, only to be thwarted by a last-second field goal from the Lions.
Statistically, the Vikings rank 14th in passing with an average of 213.8 yards per game and 18th in rushing with 119.3 yards per game. They excel in scoring, sitting 6th in the league by averaging 28 points per game. Their defense has steadily improved, now ranking 6th in scoring defense, allowing just 17.8 points per contest. Quarterback Sam Darnold has thrown for 1,370 yards, with 12 touchdowns against five interceptions, and running back Aaron Jones leads the rushing attack. The team also boasts a strong receiving corps, highlighted by wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has 33 catches for 531 yards and five touchdowns.
The injury report shows some concerns, with linebacker Blake Cashman not practicing due to a toe issue. Several other players, including tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver, were limited in practice. Monitoring their status as the week progresses will be key.
Rams Seeking Consistency After Bye Week
After a much-needed bye week, the Rams returned to action and secured a win against the Raiders, improving their record to 2-4. However, they still trail the Seahawks in the NFC West, who sit at 4-3. In their recent match against Las Vegas, the Rams managed to turn the game around after trailing early. Their defense played a crucial role, forcing four turnovers, including a scoop-six, despite being outgained in total offense.
Los Angeles currently ranks 15th in passing offense, averaging 212.8 yards per game, but struggles in the rushing department, sitting at 26th with 100.3 yards per game. Their scoring offense ranks 23rd, averaging 19 points, while their defense allows 25.7 points per game, placing them at 26th. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for 1,392 yards, with three touchdowns and four interceptions. Running back Kyren Williams leads the team with eight rushing touchdowns, while wide receiver Tutu Atwell stands out with 332 receiving yards.
In terms of injuries, the Rams are seeing improvements, with star receiver Cooper Kupp returning to practice after an ankle injury. Coach Sean McVay has expressed optimism about Kupp’s availability for the upcoming game, although several players, including linebacker Troy Reeder, remain sidelined.
Best Bets for Vikings vs. Rams
This matchup promises to be competitive, with the Vikings eager to recover from their first loss and the Rams aiming to build on their recent success. The return of Kupp could provide a significant boost for the Rams, but they will need to address their offensive line issues to protect Stafford effectively. Minnesota’s offense has proven to be formidable, and if the Rams cannot contain Jefferson, they may struggle defensively. While the Vikings have exceeded expectations this season, the Rams will need to demonstrate improved defense to keep pace. The betting lean appears to favor Minnesota in this encounter.
