Minnesota Vikings Set to Face Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football
This Thursday night at 8:15 p.m. EDT, the Minnesota Vikings, currently sitting at 5-1, will take on the 2-4 Los Angeles Rams in a match that promises excitement. The Vikings enter as 3-point favorites, according to BetMGM NFL odds. In terms of the spread, Minnesota stands at 5-1 while Los Angeles has struggled with a 1-5 record. Historically, the Rams have the upper hand in the series with a record of 28 wins, 17 losses, and 2 ties. Their last encounter ended in a 30-23 victory for the Rams in Minneapolis back in December 2021. In their most recent games, the Vikings come off a narrow loss to Detroit, 31-29, while the Rams secured a win against the Las Vegas Raiders, 20-15.
Looking at their performances, the Vikings rank 13th overall in offense, with a scoring position as the 6th highest in the league. Their rushing game holds the 17th spot while their passing game comes in at 14th. On defense, Minnesota is 19th overall, excelling particularly in rushing defense where they stand 2nd but struggling in passing where they’re ranked 30th. Conversely, the Rams show a 20th rank in offense, with their run game lagging at 26th and their passing game better off at 15th. Their defense, however, has significant room for improvement, sitting at 26th overall, with major weaknesses in rushing defense at 30th and a scoring defense ranked at 25th.
For the Vikings, kicker Will Reichard shines as a player to watch. The rookie has had a perfect season so far, nailing three field goals last week, including a remarkable 57-yarder. After being drafted in the sixth round from Alabama, he currently boasts an impressive record of 18 extra points and 12 field goals without a miss this season. Meanwhile, the Rams will look to their standout rookie, safety Jaylen McCollough. Following an impressive pick-6 against Green Bay, McCollough continued to impress with two interceptions against Las Vegas last week. As an undrafted free agent from Tennessee, his playing time is on the rise.
A significant match-up to keep an eye on is between Rams head coach Sean McVay and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The tactical showdown will be a highlight, with Minnesota likely unleashing a variety of blitzes and pressures against quarterback Matthew Stafford. In response, McVay is expected to deploy motion plays to read Minnesota’s defensive coverages. Both coaches will strive for a tactical advantage in pivotal moments of the game.
Regarding injuries, the Vikings may be without linebacker Blake Cashman due to a toe issue, and the status of tight end T.J. Hockenson remains uncertain as he is recovering from a knee injury but has shown progress in practice this week. On the Rams side, wide receiver Cooper Kupp looks set to return after missing four games with an ankle injury, which would be a significant boost for their passing game. Other injury concerns for the Rams include wide receiver Puka Nacua, who has returned to practice but may not play on Thursday.
The history between the two teams has seen the Rams victorious in their last two meetings, one of which was a thrilling 38-31 match in September 2018. Notably, the Rams also triumphed over Minnesota during their Super Bowl run in 1999 with a 49-37 playoff victory. This matchup also marks the Vikings’ first game at SoFi Stadium, where they had defeated the Chargers previously in 2021.
Additional highlights include that Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell previously served on McVay’s staff as offensive coordinator from 2020 to 2021. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, a California native, has consistently excelled, achieving a passer rating over 100 in five of six games, matching the best in the league with Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been a key contributor, ranking fourth in receiving yards, albeit facing a stretch of games without hitting the 100-yard mark. Minnesota’s running back Aaron Jones joins an elite group with over 400 rushing yards and 150 receiving yards this season alongside notable players like Alvin Kamara and Bijan Robinson.
In fantasy football considerations, Kupp’s return likely means he will take on a full workload if deemed healthy. His presence in lineups is particularly advantageous in PPR formats, given his high target volume in Week 1 prior to Nacua’s injury. As both teams prepare for this highly anticipated matchup, fans can expect a thrilling game filled with strategic plays and standout performances.