It’s our first game of the day with legitimate playoff implications. The Los Angeles Rams (7-2) travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to face off against the Minnesota Vikings (7-2) Sunday.
The game will be broadcast into your home via the FOX television network at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)
O/U: 45.5
The History
The Rams and Vikings have played 44 times since 1961. Minnesota holds a 26-16-2 advantage in the all time series.
Of those 44 meetings, seven have been in the playoffs. If this year continues the way it is, it’ll be eight. The Vikings have a 2-5 advantage in the postseason.
Their last playoff meeting was on January 16, 2000 at the Trans World Dome in St. Louis. The Rams, led by future Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, Orlando Pace and Marshall Faulk, defeated the vikings 49-37. Minnesota had a couple of their own Hall of Famers on that team, Cris Carter and John Randle.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (7-2)
The Rams pull into the second half of their season with the NFL’s second hardest schedule ahead of them. Head coach Sean McVay blamed himself for Los Angeles’ slow start last week against the Houston Texans. L.A. led 9-7 at halftime, but didn’t get the ball in the end zone. After some adjustments in the locker room, the Rams ended up winning 33-7.
Quarterback Jared Goff had another outstanding day. He was 25 of 37 for 355 yards and three touchdowns, with most of that coming in the third quarter. Robert Woods was the beneficiary of much of it, catching eight passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns including a 94 yarder.
Todd Gurley II continues his campaign for NFC Offensive Player of the Year (and maybe comeback player of the year too), with 136 total yards on 17 touches. Sammy Watkins caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Rams sacked Tom Savage three times, got five stops in the backfield and forced four turnovers, two picks and two fumbles. After missing last week’s game, outside linebacker Robert Quinn returns to the line up this week. Tight end Derek Carrier and defensive back Troy Hill are both listed as questionable, but practiced Friday. Running back Malcolm Brown is still out with a knee.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-2)
Minnesota will be without two key starters for this game. Safety Andrew Sendejo and right tackle Mike Remmers will both be in sweats. Sendejo is still dealing with a groin and hamstring issue. Remmers remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
One guy who is going to play is defensive end Everson Griffen and he and Goff should get well acquainted before the game is over. Griffen didn’t play last week against the Washington Redskins and that could have been a reason the game was so close. The Vikings won 38-30.
Griffen, in just eight games, has 29 tackles, two forced fumbles and 10 sacks. He leads an all-star defensive unit on the field with shutdown corner Xavier Rhodes, leading tackle Eric Kendricks and Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith.
So that’s the good stuff. Here’s the bad stuff, and it’s going to sound like a broken record. Case Keenum was outstanding last week, even though he threw two interceptions. Other than that, he was 21 of 29 for 304 yards and four touchdowns. He knows who he likes to throw to and hit Adam Thielan eight times for 166 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs caught for for 78 and a score. When you look at Keenum’s resume this year, there’s reason to believe. I still don’t.
Minnesota should still roll with Keenum for now, but an implosion is coming. It could be this game, it could be the next game, but just like Tyrod Taylor in Buffalo, the real Case Keenum will eventually show up.
The Pick
This is the best test for both teams in weeks. Los Angeles has the league’s best offense and the Vikings have one of the best defenses. That means it’ll come down to Wade Phillips and the Rams D verses Keenum and the Minny O. I’m rolling with Wade. Rams 27, Vikings 19
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 9-5
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 87-59
Against the spread: 75-70
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