Minnesota Vikings (14-3) square off against the Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday at 8 p.m. EST, broadcast on ESPN/ABC. BetMGM’s NFL odds favor the Vikings by a single point. When it comes to performance against the spread, the Vikings have a record of 11-5-1, while the Rams stand at 8-9. Historically, the Rams have the upper hand in this matchup, leading the series 29-17-2. The last encounter took place on October 24 in Inglewood, California, where the Rams claimed victory with a score of 30-20. Both teams are looking to bounce back after disappointing losses last week; the Vikings fell to the Detroit Lions 31-9, and the Rams were edged out by the Seattle Seahawks 30-25.
Analyzing team statistics reveals the Vikings rank 12th in overall offense, 19th in rushing, 6th in passing, and 9th in scoring. In defensive categories, they are 16th overall, 2nd against the run, 28th against the pass, and 5th in scoring defense. The Rams’ offense is slightly behind, with ranks of 15th overall, 24th in rushing, 10th in passing, and 20th in scoring. Their defense has struggled, placing 26th overall while being 22nd against the run, 20th against the pass, and 17th in scoring defense. The Vikings boast a turnover differential of plus-12, whereas the Rams have plus-6.
A crucial player for the Vikings is quarterback Sam Darnold, who is making his NFL postseason debut as a starter. Darnold has already set the record for the most wins by a quarterback in their inaugural season with a new team and has earned his first Pro Bowl nod. Last week, however, he faltered, completing only 18 of 41 passes against the Lions and failing to score a touchdown in the red zone. Earlier this season, Darnold performed well against the Rams, achieving a 128.7 passer rating after throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns without any turnovers.
For the Rams, quarterback Matthew Stafford had a standout performance in their previous match against the Vikings. He passed for 279 yards and four touchdowns in that encounter. However, Stafford’s effectiveness diminished as the season progressed, with his recent games yielding modest yardage and limited scoring. After a break from the regular-season finale, the Rams are hopeful Stafford can recapture his earlier form for the playoffs. His postseason track record includes impressive fourth-quarter performances that contributed to a Super Bowl victory in 2021.
A key matchup to watch will be Vikings running back Aaron Jones against the Rams defensive line. When these teams last met, Jones struggled to find room to run, finishing with just 58 yards on 19 carries. The Rams’ defense effectively limited the Vikings’ scoring opportunities in that game. If the Rams’ defensive front can replicate that performance, they could gain a crucial advantage.
In terms of injuries, the Vikings are in relatively good health, with the notable exception of offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, who is out for the season due to a knee injury. Backup linebacker Patrick Jones is questionable due to a knee issue. The Rams welcome back right tackle Rob Havenstein after a shoulder injury kept him sidelined for two games, although backup running back Blake Corum will miss the playoffs after suffering a broken forearm.
Historically, these two teams last met in the playoffs back in January 2000, when the Rams triumphed 49-37, a record-setting game in terms of scoring during the divisional round. The Rams have won the last three encounters in the regular season. Despite their series struggles against the Rams, the Vikings hold a favorable record in playoff matchups, having won 5 out of 7 games.
Statistically, the Vikings have not secured a postseason win in five years, accumulating a total of 31 playoff losses, tied for the most in NFL history. Their all-time playoff record stands at 21-31, which is also one of the lowest winning percentages in the league. On the contrary, under head coach Kevin O’Connell, who previously worked as offensive coordinator for the Rams during their Super Bowl-winning season, the Vikings aim to shift the historical disadvantage in their favor. This matchup features significant individual accomplishments as well; Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson recorded 28 receptions of over 20 yards this season, leading the league.
Overall, the stage is set for an engaging showdown between the Vikings and Rams as they look toward postseason glory.
