One of the biggest NFC games of the 2018 regular season kicks off Week 4 on Thursday night as the Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Rams.
It’s almost comical that last week football fans had Jets-Browns on Thursday night compared to this week’s offering. The NFL promised the networks that bid on this package that it would improve the matchups. That’s certainly the case this week as the Vikings visit the Rams in what could easily be a preview of the NFC Championship Game.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 25 Sep 1:07pm | MIN | -6.5 -115 | O +49 -115 |
| Closing 27 Sep 7:50pm | MIN | -7 -110 | O +49 -115 |
Minnesota reached that level a season ago, losing in Philadelphia, while the Rams were wild-card losers at home to the Atlanta Falcons. No team has looked better than L.A. in the early going, and they are the favourite to win the Super Bowl at Sports Interaction. What makes this matchup even better is that Minnesota has an argument as the best overall defence in the NFL, while the Rams are in the conversation for top offence after leading the league in scoring in 2017.
Minnesota beat the Rams 24-7 in Minneapolis in Week 11 a season ago – those were the fewest points L.A. scored all year. The Rams, who did lead 7-0 after one quarter, were outgained 451-254. Todd Gurley managed only 37 yards on the ground. Latavius Murray had two rushing scores for the Vikings.
The Vikes have won and covered the past five in this series.
Minnesota Vikings
Still don’t believe in trap games? The Vikings were 17-point home favourites Sunday against what looked like a hapless Buffalo Bills team and were stunned 27-6. It was the NFL’s biggest upset since the Washington Redskins were +17.5 and upset Dallas 24-17 on Dec. 3, 1995. There had been 24 favourites of 17 or more points since that game and all 24 won.
The Vikings badly missed top running back Dalvin Cook, who sat with a hamstring injury. Says he’ll play here. Minnesota attempted just six rushes for 14 yards. Kirk Cousins put the ball in the air a whopping 55 times. Excellent defensive end Everson Griffen also sat with some sort of personal issue.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have been perhaps the NFL’s most impressive team thus far with all three wins by double digits, although they haven’t had to leave California yet. It was 35-23 over the Chargers on Sunday. Jared Goff threw for 354 yards and three scores, Todd Gurley rushed for 105 yards a touchdown, and Robert Woods had 10 catches for 104 yards and two scores. L.A. had 521 yards of offence and blocked a punt for a touchdown.
We won’t normally mention place-kicker injuries, but the Rams’ Greg Zuerlein is the league’s best and he missed the game with a groin injury. He’s not expected Thursday, either. Both starting cornerbacks, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, left with injuries Sunday and didn’t return so monitor their status.
Weather
| temp | 75 |
| condition | sunny |
| wind | Southwest 3mph |
Injuries
Holton Hill (CB)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Eric Kendricks (LB)
Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Brian O'Neill (T)
Chad Beebe (WR)
Ben Gedeon (LB)
Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Johnny Hekker (P)
C.J. Anderson (RB)
Blake Countess (DB)
Greg Zuerlein (K)
Blake Countess (DB)
Andrew Whitworth (T)
Samson Ebukam (LB)
Justin Davis (RB)
Dominique Hatfield (CB)
John Sullivan (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holton Hill (CB) | day-to-day | Head - 30 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return. |
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| C.J. Ham (FB) | Out Sun | Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears. |
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| Sheldon Richardson (DT) | Ques Sun | Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air. |
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| Eric Kendricks (LB) | Prob Mon | Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks. |
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| Brandon Zylstra (WR) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday. |
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| Mackensie Alexander (CB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots. |
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| Brian O'Neill (T) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots. |
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| Chad Beebe (WR) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions. |
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| Ben Gedeon (LB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots. |
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| Stephen Weatherly (DE) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Hekker (P) | Prob Sun | Illness - 26 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Hekker is nursing an illness but is likely to be available against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl. |
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| C.J. Anderson (RB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 24 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Anderson is ailing from an illness but is expected to be fine for the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots. |
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| Blake Countess (DB) | Prob Sun | Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Countess has a foot injury but it is likely he will play in the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots. |
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| Greg Zuerlein (K) | Prob Sun | Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Zuerlein is dealing with a left foot strain but is expected to suit against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl. |
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| Blake Countess (DB) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Countess left the previous game due to a concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys. |
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| Andrew Whitworth (T) | Prob Sat | Knee - 30 / 12 / 18 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Whitworth exited the last game due to a left knee injury but is expected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys. |
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| Samson Ebukam (LB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 19 / 12 / 18 | 4-1 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Ebukam is ailing from an illness but is slated to play Sunday against the Cardinals. |
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| Justin Davis (RB) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18 | 4-2 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Davis exited the previous game due to a shoulder injury and it is unknown if he will face the Cardinals on Sunday. |
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| Dominique Hatfield (CB) | I-R | Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Hatfield sustained a left ankle injury and is on the injured reserve list. |
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| John Sullivan (C) | day-to-day | Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 | 5-2 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Sullivan left the previous game to be evaluated for a concussion and it is unclear if he will return. |
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Vikings vs. Rams Prediction
-
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
23 -
LOS ANGELES RAMS
30
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 25 Sep 1:07pm MIN -6.5 -115 O +49 -115 Closing 27 Sep 7:50pm MIN -7 -110 O +49 -115 -
Weather
temp 75 condition sunny wind Southwest 3mph -
Injuries
Holton Hill (CB)
day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18C.J. Ham (FB)
Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18Eric Kendricks (LB)
Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18Brian O'Neill (T)
Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18Chad Beebe (WR)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18Ben Gedeon (LB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18Johnny Hekker (P)
Prob Sun Illness - 26 / 01 / 19C.J. Anderson (RB)
Prob Sun Illness - 24 / 01 / 19Blake Countess (DB)
Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19Greg Zuerlein (K)
Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19Blake Countess (DB)
Prob Sat Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18Andrew Whitworth (T)
Prob Sat Knee - 30 / 12 / 18Samson Ebukam (LB)
Prob Sun Illness - 19 / 12 / 18Justin Davis (RB)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18Dominique Hatfield (CB)
I-R Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18John Sullivan (C)
day-to-day Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Holton Hill (CB) day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return.
C.J. Ham (FB) Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 2-0 1-1 + - Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears.
Sheldon Richardson (DT) Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air.
Eric Kendricks (LB) Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks.
Brandon Zylstra (WR) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday.
Mackensie Alexander (CB) Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Brian O'Neill (T) Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots.
Chad Beebe (WR) Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions.
Ben Gedeon (LB) Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.
Stephen Weatherly (DE) Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Johnny Hekker (P) Prob Sun Illness - 26 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Hekker is nursing an illness but is likely to be available against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl.
C.J. Anderson (RB) Prob Sun Illness - 24 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Anderson is ailing from an illness but is expected to be fine for the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Blake Countess (DB) Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Countess has a foot injury but it is likely he will play in the 2019 Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Greg Zuerlein (K) Prob Sun Foot - 23 / 01 / 19 1-0 0-1 + - Zuerlein is dealing with a left foot strain but is expected to suit against the Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl.
Blake Countess (DB) Prob Sat Concussion - 30 / 12 / 18 4-0 2-2 + - Countess left the previous game due to a concussion but is likely to be cleared in time for the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys.
Andrew Whitworth (T) Prob Sat Knee - 30 / 12 / 18 4-0 2-2 + - Whitworth exited the last game due to a left knee injury but is expected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Cowboys.
Samson Ebukam (LB) Prob Sun Illness - 19 / 12 / 18 4-1 3-2 + - Ebukam is ailing from an illness but is slated to play Sunday against the Cardinals.
Justin Davis (RB) Ques Sun Shoulder - 16 / 12 / 18 4-2 3-3 + - Davis exited the previous game due to a shoulder injury and it is unknown if he will face the Cardinals on Sunday.
Dominique Hatfield (CB) I-R Ankle - 09 / 12 / 18 5-2 3-4 + - Hatfield sustained a left ankle injury and is on the injured reserve list.
John Sullivan (C) day-to-day Concussion - 09 / 12 / 18 5-2 3-4 + - Sullivan left the previous game to be evaluated for a concussion and it is unclear if he will return.