In this article, we will formulate a Rams vs Vikings prediction for this NFL game on Monday, January 13th at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NFC Wild Card matchup.
Los Angeles Rams Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Rams are 10-7 this season after they lost to Seattle by a score of 30-25 in their last game. Los Angeles trailed 17-13 at halftime, but they did lead 25-24 in the fourth quarter, before allowing the game-winning touchdown with about three minutes left. The Rams outgained Seattle by a total of 403-336, lost the turnover battle 1-0, and went 5-14 on third down in the game. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 334 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Jordan Whittington caught three passes for 86 yards in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Rams defeated the Cardinals by a score of 13-9 and the Jets by a score of 19-9. Los Angeles has won five of their last six games and won the tiebreaker over the Seahawks to win the NFC West. The LA offense has scored 21.6 points per game with 227.5 passing yards and 103.8 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 22.7 points per game this season. Matthew Stafford has completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while Puka Nacua has caught 79 passes for 990 yards and three scores this year.
Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview
The Minnesota Vikings are 14-3 this year after they lost to Detroit by a score of 31-9 in their last game. Minnesota trailed 10-6 at halftime but did cut the deficit to 10-9 in the third quarter, but the Lions were able to pull away in the loss. The Vikings were outgained by a total of 394-262, won the turnover battle 2-0, and went 5-12 on third down in the game. Sam Darnold threw for 166 yards and was just 18-41 on his passes, while Cam Akers rushed for 65 yards on six carries in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Vikings defeated the Packers by a score of 27-25 and the Seahawks by a score of 27-24. Minnesota has won nine of their last ten games, but they lost the NFC North by one game to the Lions, which dropped them all the way down to the fifth seed. The Minnesota offense has scored 25.4 points per game with 237.8 passing yards and 109.1 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 19.5 points per game this season. Sam Darnold has completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while Justin Jefferson has caught 103 passes for 1,533 yards and 10 scores this year.
The First Meeting
Los Angeles won the only regular-season meeting between these two teams by a score of 30-20 back in late October. The Rams were tied at 14 at halftime and led 17-14 in the third, but they scored 16 of the final 19 points in the game. LA outgained Minnesota by a total of 386-276, lost the turnover battle 1-0, and went 4-10 on third down in the game.
Why the Vikings will beat the Rams
- The favorites have won each of the Vikings’ last 10 games.
- The Rams have lost each of their last four Monday games.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Vikings’ last five games.
- The Rams have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four Monday games.
- The Vikings have scored the first touchdown in each of their last seven Monday games as favorites.
- The Vikings have won the first quarter in seven of their last eight road games following a road loss.
- The favorites have won the first half in seven of the Vikings’ last eight games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Vikings’ last seven Monday games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Rams’ last five Monday games has gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Rams Player Prop Facts
- Kyren Williams has scored the first touchdown in each of his last three home appearances.
- Puka Nacua has recorded 97+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances in California.
- Matthew Stafford has recorded 244+ passing yards in each of his last eight home appearances against NFC North opponents.
- Kyren Williams has recorded 87+ rushing yards in six of his last seven appearances with the Rams as underdogs.
- Matthew Stafford has recorded 25+ completions in each of the Rams’ last four postseason games.
- Kyren Williams has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last eight home appearances against NFC opponents.
- Cooper Kupp has recorded 59+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last seven Monday appearances.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, Cooper Kupp has recorded the equal-most receptions in a single game this season (14 vs Lions, Week 1).
Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts
- Aaron Jones has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last five Monday appearances.
- Justin Jefferson has recorded 98+ receiving yards in each of his last six appearances against NFC West opponents.
- Cam Akers has recorded 48+ rushing yards in each of his last six January appearances.
- Aaron Jones has recorded 93+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last six appearances with his team as a road favorite against NFC opponents.
- Daniel Jones has recorded 22+ completions in seven of his eight previous Monday appearances.
- Shaquill Griffin is just one away from 10 career interceptions (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Rams ranked 31st in the NFL in Q1 points per game (1.8) during the reg. season.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Rams ranked 30th in the NFL in punt return yards per game (9.5) during the reg. season.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Vikings ranked 1st in the NFL in interceptions (24) during the reg. season.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Vikings ranked 32nd in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game (20.1) during the reg. season.
Rams vs Vikings Prediction
Los Angeles comes into this matchup after resting several starters last week in their loss to Seattle and they will be full of confidence after beating Seattle earlier in the season. On the other side, the Vikings have to be wondering what happened in their loss to Detroit last week, as they played a very bad game, especially in the red zone. Darnold did not play well under center for Minnesota and missed several opener receivers in the red zone, but he has been great for most of the season. This is going to be a great matchup to end Wild Card weekend, but I think this Vikings team is the more talented team and I expect them to bounce back against a much easier opponent than the Lions. Take Minnesota here.