The Minnesota Vikings look to strengthen their tenuous grip on an NFC wild card spot when they play host to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in NFL Week 16 action.
The Vikings extended their current straight up win streak to two games with last weekend’s 17-9 win Chicago. The Rams return to action on just four days rest after extending their current win streak to three games with Tuesday’s 20-10 victory over the visiting Seattle Seahawks.
L.A. is a 3-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 49.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Backed by 77 per cent of sports bettors, the Rams have held steady since opening as 3-point road favourites. The total has dipped slightly since opening at 49.5, sliding to 49, with a narrow majority of 52 per cent of the betting action supporting the UNDER.
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at US Bank Stadium marks the first meeting between these NFC rivals since September 2018. The Rams powered to a narrow 38-31 win as 7-point home chalk in that contest. However, the Vikings have otherwise dominated in head-to-head action, claiming outright and against the spread win in each of their five previous meetings. The Vikings have also produced steady results when facing the Rams on home turf, going 6-1 straight up in seven home dates since 1987, and covering in three of their past four.
While the UNDER has paid out in three of the past four dates involving these teams, offensive explosions by Minnesota have not been uncommon. The Vikings have averaged over 30 points per game in their six against LA. Conversely, the Rams averaged just 12.6 points per game in their recent five-game losing streak against Minnesota.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have lifted themselves back into contention for the NFC West crown and the top seed in the conference with their current three-game win streak. And the team’s two NFL MVP candidates have played a huge role in that success. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s two touchdown passes to receiver Cooper Kupp proved to be the difference in Tuesday’s victory. Stafford has now connected on 11 scoring tosses over his past four outings, with Kupp being on the receiving end of four TD passes over the past three weeks. Of course, the steady play of the Rams defence cannot be overlooked. LA has surrendered just 13.3 points per game during their current 3-0 run after allowing 31.7 points per game during a preceding three-game slide.
Minnesota Vikings
Injuries have emerged as a major concern for the Vikings ahead of yet another must-win contest. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked four times in last week’s win over the Bears, and was limited at Wednesday practice with a rib injury. Cousins has been far from dominant in his past two outings, and compiled just 87 passing yards in Chicago. He still managed to connect on two scoring passes and has tossed for multiple TDs in eight of his past nine outings. The good news for the Vikings is that receiver Adam Thielen is on the mend. Thielen has not seen action since Week 13 while recovering from an ankle injury, but was a limited participant at Wednesday practice, and has been vocal about his intent to play on Sunday.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Rams vs. Vikings?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 20 Dec 10:11am | LAR | -3 -112 | O +49.5 -110 |
Closing 26 Dec 5:50pm | LAR | -3.5 -101 | O +48.5 -114 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rams Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
16 |
Rushing |
845 |
Passing |
4886 |
Receiving |
145 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
1159 |
Passing |
4221 |
Receiving |
108 |
Sacks |
8 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
172 |
Passing |
1188 |
Receiving |
33 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
16 |
Rushing |
845 |
Passing |
4886 |
Receiving |
145 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
1159 |
Passing |
4221 |
Receiving |
108 |
Sacks |
8 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
172 |
Passing |
1188 |
Receiving |
33 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Weather

temp | 23 |
condition | dome |
wind | East 8mph |
Injuries
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
Andrew Whitworth (OL)
Van Jefferson (WR)
Grant Haley (DB)
Cam Akers (RB)
Tyler Higbee (TE)
Greg Gaines (DL)
John Wolford (QB)
Van Jefferson (WR)
Joe Noteboom (OL)
Harrison Hand (CB)
Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Kris Boyd (CB)
Nick Vigil (LB)
Wyatt Davis (G)
Kene Nwangwu (RB)
Luke Stocker (TE)
Tashawn Bower (DE)
Ezra Cleveland (G)
Eric Kendricks (LB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) | day-to-day | Knee - 13 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Beckham Jr. exited Sunday's game with a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return. |
|||||
Andrew Whitworth (OL) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Whitworth has a quad injury, but it is determined that he will partake in the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Van Jefferson (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 02 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Jefferson is hindered by a knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Grant Haley (DB) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Haley has a quad injury, but it is unlikely to change his status for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Cam Akers (RB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Akers is hampered by a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Tyler Higbee (TE) | I-R | Knee - 30 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Higbee has been added to the injured reverse list due to an MCL sprain. |
|||||
Greg Gaines (DL) | Prob Sun | Toe - 27 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Gaines is bothered by a toe injury, but it is not likely to affect his status for the NFC championship game versus the 49ers. |
|||||
John Wolford (QB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 27 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Wolford is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will take on the 49ers in the NFC championship game. |
|||||
Van Jefferson (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 26 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Jefferson is managing a knee injury, but he is likely to play against the 49ers in the NFC championship game. |
|||||
Joe Noteboom (OL) | I-R | Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Noteboom has been added to the injured reserve list due to a pectoral strain. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harrison Hand (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hand has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup. |
|||||
Mackensie Alexander (CB) | Out Sun | Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Alexander is managing an ankle ailment, and he will not take on the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Kris Boyd (CB) | Out Sun | Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Boyd has a rib injury, leaving his status for Sunday's showdown against the Bears as inactive. |
|||||
Nick Vigil (LB) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Vigil is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Wyatt Davis (G) | Out Sun | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Davis is ailing from an illness, and he will not line up against the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Kene Nwangwu (RB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Nwangwu has a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Luke Stocker (TE) | Ques Sun | Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Stocker is nursing an elbow issue, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's contest versus the Bears. |
|||||
Tashawn Bower (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Bower has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return. |
|||||
Ezra Cleveland (G) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Cleveland has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return. |
|||||
Eric Kendricks (LB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Kendricks has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action. |
-
LOS ANGELES RAMS
27 -
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
24
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 Dec 10:11am LAR -3 -112 O +49.5 -110 Closing 26 Dec 5:50pm LAR -3.5 -101 O +48.5 -114 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rams Team Leaders
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 845
Passing 4886
Receiving 145
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1159
Passing 4221
Receiving 108
Sacks 8
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 172
Passing 1188
Receiving 33
Sacks 4
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 845
Passing 4886
Receiving 145
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1159
Passing 4221
Receiving 108
Sacks 8
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 172
Passing 1188
Receiving 33
Sacks 4
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions -
Weather
temp 23 condition dome wind East 8mph -
Injuries
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
day-to-day Knee - 13 / 02 / 22Andrew Whitworth (OL)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22Van Jefferson (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 02 / 22Grant Haley (DB)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22Cam Akers (RB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22Tyler Higbee (TE)
I-R Knee - 30 / 01 / 22Greg Gaines (DL)
Prob Sun Toe - 27 / 01 / 22John Wolford (QB)
Prob Sun Illness - 27 / 01 / 22Van Jefferson (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 26 / 01 / 22Joe Noteboom (OL)
I-R Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22Harrison Hand (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22Kris Boyd (CB)
Out Sun Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22Nick Vigil (LB)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22Wyatt Davis (G)
Out Sun Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Kene Nwangwu (RB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22Luke Stocker (TE)
Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22Tashawn Bower (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Ezra Cleveland (G)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Eric Kendricks (LB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) day-to-day Knee - 13 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Beckham Jr. exited Sunday's game with a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Andrew Whitworth (OL) Prob Sun Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Whitworth has a quad injury, but it is determined that he will partake in the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals.
Van Jefferson (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Jefferson is hindered by a knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals.
Grant Haley (DB) Prob Sun Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Haley has a quad injury, but it is unlikely to change his status for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals.
Cam Akers (RB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Akers is hampered by a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals.
Tyler Higbee (TE) I-R Knee - 30 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Higbee has been added to the injured reverse list due to an MCL sprain.
Greg Gaines (DL) Prob Sun Toe - 27 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Gaines is bothered by a toe injury, but it is not likely to affect his status for the NFC championship game versus the 49ers.
John Wolford (QB) Prob Sun Illness - 27 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Wolford is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will take on the 49ers in the NFC championship game.
Van Jefferson (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 26 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Jefferson is managing a knee injury, but he is likely to play against the 49ers in the NFC championship game.
Joe Noteboom (OL) I-R Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Noteboom has been added to the injured reserve list due to a pectoral strain.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Harrison Hand (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hand has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Mackensie Alexander (CB) Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Alexander is managing an ankle ailment, and he will not take on the Bears on Sunday.
Kris Boyd (CB) Out Sun Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Boyd has a rib injury, leaving his status for Sunday's showdown against the Bears as inactive.
Nick Vigil (LB) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Vigil is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bears on Sunday.
Wyatt Davis (G) Out Sun Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Davis is ailing from an illness, and he will not line up against the Bears on Sunday.
Kene Nwangwu (RB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Nwangwu has a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Bears on Sunday.
Luke Stocker (TE) Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Stocker is nursing an elbow issue, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's contest versus the Bears.
Tashawn Bower (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Bower has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return.
Ezra Cleveland (G) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-2 2-0 + - Cleveland has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return.
Eric Kendricks (LB) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-2 2-0 + - Kendricks has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action.