The Minnesota Vikings (14-3) and LA Rams (10-7) will wrap up Wild Card weekend Monday night with the final game of the first round of the playoffs. The game was moved from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., due to the wildfires in LA, but kickoff remains at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Vikings vs. Ramsodds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Vikings will be the road team as the No. 5 seed in the NFC despite going 14-3 during the regular season, making them the first team ever to be a Wild Card with 14 wins. Minnesota is coming off a 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in the Week 18 finale, which was a game to win the NFC North. Its only 3 losses this season were to the Lions twice and the Rams once.
The Rams snapped their 5-game winning streak in Week 18 but primarily because they rested their starters against the Seattle Seahawks in a narrow 30-25 loss. QB Matthew Stafford, WR Puka Nacua, RB Kyren Williams and several other primary starters sat out the game to get fresh for the playoffs. This is the Rams’ second straight trip to the postseason after getting eliminated by the Lions in the Wild Card round last year.
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Vikings vs. Rams odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Sunday at 8:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Vikings -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Rams +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Vikings -2.5 (-110) | Rams +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 48 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Vikings vs. Rams key injuries
Vikings
- RB Cam Akers (illness) questionable
Rams
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Vikings vs. Rams picks and predictions
Prediction
Rams 24, Vikings 21
Moneyline
The Vikings are technically the lower seed, but it’s the Rams who are the underdogs. LA has had a hectic week due to the wildfires, causing the Rams to alter their practice schedule and travel plans after they were expecting to play at home.
But despite all that, Rams coach Sean McVay is one of the best in the NFL and always seems to have his players ready to go no matter the circumstances. For instance, in 2018, the Rams beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 54-51, after the game was moved from Mexico City to LA — and it was played shortly after wildfires broke out in several areas near the Rams’ training complex in Thousand Oaks and there was a mass shooting in the city.
The Vikings looked vulnerable in the season finale and QB Sam Darnold showed some of his flaws from earlier in his career, missing throws in the red zone and struggling against pressure.
The Rams have the pass rush to disrupt Darnold, and the offensive line has been playing better as of late, going 5 straight games without allowing a sack before Week 18. BET RAMS (+120) to win outright.
Against the spread
Because we’re already betting on the moneyline, it’s best to PASS on the spread — especially considering it’s not at a key number of 3 or more.
Over/Under
The Rams offense has been struggling as of late, scoring fewer than 20 points in each of their last 3 games with Stafford under center. The Vikings couldn’t run the ball against the Lions, and Darnold was terrible under pressure, causing Minnesota’s offense to sputter, too.
With the Rams’ secondary improving and the pass rush humming, they should be able to keep the Vikings in check. Minnesota’s cornerbacks could cause problems for Stafford and the Rams if the pass rush also gets going, which could also lead to fewer points.
BET UNDER 48 (-110).
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