Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams, 9/25/18 Predictions & Odds

Vikings at Rams Total Prediction

A pair of NFC playoff contenders will meet in L.A. on Thursday night to kick off Week 4 of the NFL regular season when the Rams host the Vikings at 8:20 p.m. ET. With the total sitting in nearly the 50s, is the over/under set too high for this matchup?

Game Snapshot

101 Minnesota Vikings at 102 Los Angeles Rams

8:20 p.m. ET, Thursday, September 27

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Rams are 6.5-point favorites to beat the Vikings. The total, meanwhile, sits at 49 points. As of this writing, 66% of the public betting tickets are on the Rams to cover the point spread.

Minnesota Vikings

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports Vikings DE Everson Griffen is undergoing an evaluation at a local hospital Pelissero reports Griffen has been "battling a serious, mental health-related issue for weeks." That issue apparently manifested itself when Griffen allegedly threatened to shoot someone at a Minneapolis hotel on Saturday. The Vikings released a statement on Monday saying they "are currently focused on Everson's well-being and providing the appropriate support for him and his family."

Los Angeles Rams

Rams coach Sean McVay said Aqib Talib (ankle) will probably need surgery. Talib is getting a second opinion before undergoing surgery. The Rams are hopeful he'll still be able to return this season. The good news is that Marcus Peters (calf) could play as soon as Thursday against the Vikings. Assuming Talib misses at least 4-6 weeks, the Rams will be forced to lean on the lot of Sam Shields, Nickell Robey-Coleman and Troy Hill across from Peters.

NFL Betting Trends

Minnesota

The over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings between these two teams when the Rams are the host (St. Louis or L.A.).

Los Angeles

The over is 5-1 in the Rams’ last six games coming off a win.

Prediction

I realize some defensive firepower has been lost on both sides of the ball in this matchup, with the Vikings losing Griffen and the Rams losing Talib, but I still believe this total is sitting too high. The Rams create a ton of pressure from their defensive tackles, pressure that often disrupts what opponents can do with their passing attack. Even though the Vikings will get back Dalvin Cook this week, this Rams defense is more than capable of holding Kirk Cousins and Co. in check, much like the hapless Bills did a week ago in Minnesota. Meanwhile, losing Griffen is a huge blow to the Vikings’ pass rush but Mike Zimmer’s unit is stacked at every level. Both of these offenses can score but they’re more methodical than aggressive. I like the under Thursday night.

 

NFL Week 4 Prediction: Vikings/Rams under 49