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NFL Tips: LA Rams v Vikings Prediction, Tips, & Best Bet – NFL Wild Card Weekend

Dylan McHugh on Jan 10, 2025 at 08:00 AM
NFL Snap

In this post, I share my Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings prediction with you plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of this Monday’s NFL Wild Card matchup.

Will the Rams be able to secure their first playoff victory since their 2022 Super Bowl win? Or will the Vikings spoil the party and book their ticket to the NFL Divisional Round? It’s all to play for in what promises to be a cracker of an NFL Wild Card matchup this Monday night.

How To Watch Rams vs Vikings

When is the Rams vs Vikings game on?

This Wild Card game between the Rams and Vikings is scheduled to kick off at 1 am GMT, Monday night/Tuesday morning, January 14th.

TV Channel

Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event will broadcast this Rams vs. Vikings game in the UK and Ireland with coverage from 1 am.

Live Stream

The game can be streamed on DAZN which is the new platform for NFL Game Pass International.

Where is the Rams vs Vikings Game Being Played?

Due to the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles, the NFL has announced that State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, will host this Wild Card game. It was originally slated to be played at SoFi Stadium, the home of the Los Angeles Rams.

Rams vs Vikings Odds

Team

Odds

Chance

Rams

11/10

47.6%

Vikings

8/11

57.9%

Moneyline Betting Odds

The Minnesota Vikings are 8/11 favourites to win this Wild Card game.

Vikings to win Add to betslip

The Rams are the 11/10 underdogs.

LA Rams to win Add to betslip

Handicap Betting Odds

LA Rams: +2.5 @ 20/21

Vikings: -2.5 @ 20/23

In the handicap betting, the Vikings are favoured by 2.5 points. In other words, the Vikings will have to win by 3 or more points for a handicap bet on them to be graded a winner.

Total Match Points

Over: 47.5 @ 10/11

Under: 47.5 @ 10/11

The over/under for this game has been set at 47.5 with 10/11 odds on both.

Over Total Points Add to betslip

Rams vs Vikings Preview

Rams – Key Stats

Points Scored: 21.6 (20th)

Points Allowed: 22.7 (17th)

Offensive Yards Per game: 331.4 (15th)

Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 352.8 (26th)

Record against playoff teams: 2-3

The Rams’ Form

Record: 10-7

Record At Home: 5-3 (not including week 18 loss when Rams rested starters against Seahawks)

Record As Home Underdog: 3-3

The Rams’ Last 5 Results

Week 18: Rams 25-30 Seahawks (Rams rested starters)

Week 17: Rams 13-9 Cardinals

Week 16: Jets 9-19 Rams

Week 15: 49ers 6-12 Rams

Week 14: Rams 44-42 Bills

The Los Angeles Rams earned the NFC West title and the #4 seed with a 10-7 record, closing the season strong with a 5-0 record in December. Their December form included a standout victory over the Buffalo Bills, the AFC's #2 seed. Resting starters in Week 18 against the Seahawks should have them feeling fresh physically coming into this matchup.

Matthew Stafford, a proven playoff performer with a Super Bowl to his name, leads a balanced offence supported by star WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Kupp’s presence still commands attention, while Nacua provides another reliable target who can find the soft spots in a Vikings defence that likes to play plenty of zone coverages.

Puka Nacua 100 Receiving Yards Add to betslip

The Rams’ defence also stepped up during their December winning streak, allowing just 17 points per game over that stretch.

However, off-field issues could be a major distraction for LA players and their coaching staff with wildfires in Los Angeles disrupting practice and undoubtedly weighing heavily on the minds of players and staff. How much and if this affects their performance is impossible to say but it is definitely something to keep in mind.

Vikings – Key Stats

Points Scored: 25.4 (9th)

Points Allowed: 19.5 (5th)

Offensive Yards Per game: 346.9 (12th)

Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 335.4 (16th)

Record against playoff teams: 3-3

The Vikings’ Form

Record: 14-3

Road Record: 6-2

Record As Away Favourite: 5-1

The Vikings’ Last 5 Results

Week 18: Lions 31-9 Vikings

Week 17: Vikings 27-25 Packers

Week 16: Seahawks 24-27 Vikings

Week 15: Vikings 30-12 Bears

Week 14: Vikings 42-21 Falcons

The Minnesota Vikings ended the regular season with an impressive 14-3 record, tied for the second-best in the NFC and tied for third-best overall in the NFL. Despite this, they enter the playoffs as the NFC's #5 seed after a crushing 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in the season finale, which handed the division and #1 seed to their rivals.

That loss raises concerns about the Vikings’ ability to perform against playoff opponents, especially since they went 3-3 against playoff opposition and fell to the Rams 30-20 in Week 8 at SoFi Stadium, the site of this Wild Card game.

Defensively, the Vikings have shone under the guidance of Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. They led the league in interceptions (24) and tied for the most takeaways (33). Even in their Week 18 loss, they forced two interceptions against Lions QB Jared Goff.

Stafford Interceptions Add to betslip

However, the offence remains a concern, particularly QB Sam Darnold. In his first playoff start, Darnold must rebound from a dismal 18/41 passing performance for 166 yards and no touchdowns last week against a weakened Lions defence that was missing key starters.

Rams vs Vikings Head-To-Head

All-Time Head-To-Head Record

The Vikings lead the all-time series against the Rams with a 27-19-2 record.

Recent history favours the Rams, however, who have won the last three meetings between these sides, including a 30-20 victory earlier this season at SoFi Stadium.

Rams vs Vikings Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Rams 24 Vikings 22

This is a tough game to call, but the Rams’ playoff experience and home advantage could prove crucial. While the Vikings boast a stellar record their reliance on Sam Darnold in his playoff debut is a question mark, especially considering he is coming into this game after his worst performance of the season. Conversely, the Rams’ playoff experience at quarterback and Head Coach plus their recent form inspire confidence.

Best Bet: Rams +2.5 @ 20/21

Expect a close contest that could be decided in the final moments, but the Rams have the edge in key areas, making them a smart pick with the points.

LA Rams Handicap Add to betslip

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