Los Angeles Rams (10-7) vs Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
Game Info: Monday, January 13, 2025 at 8:00 pm (SoFi Stadium)
Betting Odds: Los Angeles Rams +1.5 -- Over/Under: 47.5 Click Here for Live Odds
The Minnesota Vikings & the Los Angeles Rams
Game Preview!
The Minnesota Vikings are taking on the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs at SoFi Stadium this Monday night. We're going to dive into this matchup from a betting angle and figure out the best bets for the game. Check out our prediction for the Vikings vs. Rams showdown.
Can The Vikings Keep the Strong Season Alive?
The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the playoffs as the 5 seed, which seems pretty wild since they ended up with a 14-3 record. They just missed out on the division title and top NFC spot to the Detroit Lions on the last day of the regular season. This marks Minnesota’s second time in the playoffs in the past three years with Kevin O’Connell, and they're aiming for their first playoff victory since 2019.
Sam Darnold has racked up 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a 66.2% completion rate. Aaron Jones has rushed for 1,138 yards and 5 touchdowns. Justin Jefferson is leading the Vikings' receivers with 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Jordan Addison has 875 yards and 9 touchdowns. Plus, three more Vikings have over 400 receiving yards this year. On defense, Blake Cashman tops the team with 112 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and Andrew Van Ginkel has 11.5 sacks.
Jonathan Greenard leads with 12 sacks, Pat Jones II has 7 sacks, Byron Murphy Jr. has snagged 6 interceptions, and both Camryn Bynum and Harrison Smith have 3 interceptions each. All together, Minnesota's defense has racked up 49 sacks and 24 interceptions this season.
Can The Rams Keep The Momentum Going?
The Los Angeles Rams are heading into this game as the NFC West champs, wrapping up the season with a 10-7 record. It's their first division title since 2021, when they went on to win the Super Bowl.
Matthew Stafford's been on fire with 3,762 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, hitting 65.8% of his throws. Kyren Williams is crushing it on the ground with 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Puka Nacua is leading the Rams with 990 receiving yards, 79 catches, and 3 touchdowns. Cooper Kupp's got 67 catches for 710 yards and 6 touchdowns, and Tutu Atwell's added 562 receiving yards.
Demarcus Robinson has chipped in with 505 yards and 7 touchdowns, plus three more Rams have over 250 receiving yards this year. On the defense side, Christian Rozeboom is leading with 135 tackles, while Kobie Turner has 8 sacks. Braden Fiske tops the team with 8.5 sacks, Byron Young has 7.5 sacks, and both Kamren Kinchens and Jaylen McCullough have snagged 4 interceptions each. Altogether, the Rams’ defense has racked up 38 sacks and 13 interceptions this season.
The Vikings vs. Rams Game Prediction!
The Pick: LA Rams ML +120
There's a lot up in the air with this game, especially with everything happening in California right now. But no matter where it ends up being played, I'm backing the Rams. Sam Darnold had an awesome season, but believe it or not, he's never been in a playoff game before. He might get a bit nervous, and he didn't really have his best game last week against the Lions when the stakes were high. The Rams have been on fire these past few months, and I think their playoff experience will give them the edge. I'm going with the Rams.
Why the Los Angeles Rams will win
The Rams have won each of their last six home games following a home loss.
The Vikings have lost 10 of their last 11 road games against NFC West opponents.
The Rams have covered the spread in seven of their last eight January games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven road games in January.
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