An extremely interesting matchup greets us for Thursday Night Football in week 8, as the 5-1 Minnesota Vikings look to get back into the winners circle, as they take on a 2-4 Rams outfit hoping to welcome back a star receiver. Plenty on the line in this NFC clash on Thursday Night Football. We bring you our full preview and tips below!
NFL Week 8 Preview & Betting Tips
Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings
SoFi Stadium, Friday 25th October, 11:15am (AEDT)
Last Week
The Rams came out of the bye last week and snapped a two-game skid, sneaking by the Raiders 20-15 at home. The Rams managed to hold the Raiders to five field goals, preventing them from scoring any touchdowns, in what seemed a major improvement to a defence that has struggled of late. The offense continued to look for answers, with Matt Stafford throwing for only 154 yards and 0 touchdowns, whilst Kyren Williams was held to just 3.6 yards per carry. The Rams are expected to welcome back Cooper Kupp this week, but will he be the secret elixir for the Rams offense to once again open up? Or will this offense continue to sputter with an ageing quarterback and limited weapons? We should find out this week against the Vikings.
Speaking of the Vikings, they were finally handed their first loss of the season, going down 31-29 at home to the Detroit Lions in a cracking game. The Vikings did what they do best, shooting out of the blocks, getting out to a 10-0 first quarter lead. The second quarter was one to forget for the Vikes, conceding two early touchdowns, before Darnold was picked off by Brian Branch, leading to another Lions touchdown right before halftime. Whilst the Vikings got themselves back into the game, briefly taking the lead in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough, with the Lions slotting a field goal with 19 seconds remaining to win the game.
Injury Report
Los Angeles Rams
Troy Reeder (LB) – OUT
Joe Noteboom (OG) – OUT
Jordan Whittington (WR) – OUT
Puka Nacua (WR) – Questionable
Braden Fiske (DE) – Questionable
Neville Gallimore (DT) – Questionable
Minnesota Vikings
Blake Cashman (LB) – OUT
Akayleb Evans (CB) – Questionable
T.J. Hockenson (TE) – Questionable
Dalton Risner (OG) – Questionable
Match Preview
The Rams and Vikings have not met in league play since week 16 of the 2021 season, with the Rams running out 30-23 winners on the road in Minnesota. And whilst the teams haven’t met for three years, there is a tonne of familiarity between the two. This comes from Vikings’ Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, whom was the Offensive Coordinator on the Rams team in that very game in 2021. Rams’ Head Coach Sean McVay and O’Connell go way back, and it will be fascinating to watch these two great offensive minds go head-to-head.
Looking at the spread for this game, the Vikings opened 3-point favourites on the lookahead, before re-opening at the same number. The Vikings are still 3-point road favourites; however, you will have to pay heavy juice on the Rams at +3, with the number closing in on 2.5. I make the Vikings a tick higher than 3 and see decent value at -3. If it were to get to Vikings -2.5, this would be a bigger bet, however at -3 it’s still a play. The Vikings have been amazing this season, and one loss against a Lions team I have rated as the second-best team in the NFL is no real concern to me. There are -2.5’s out there on the Vikings, but the prices are a little shorter. If you can only find a -3, limit this to a smaller outlay.
Looking towards the total, and this opened at 46 on the lookahead, before re-opening at 46.5. Over money came in early and bumped this up to 48, where it currently sits. With no Kupp, my fair total for this game would be 45.5, but with Kupp playing it’s easy to see how the over has been bet. I won’t be touching the total but would have a small lean on the under here.
Looking towards a prop bet, and I’ll leave the Rams alone given the uncertainty with how Kupp will be used in his return. For the Vikings, superstar receiver Justin Jefferson is always a consideration for an over, however this week I’ll be taking Aaron Jones to have a big game rushing and receiving. Jones is averaging 104.8 total yards from scrimmage per game, and this is including an injury affected game. Darnold hasn’t been afraid to use Jones in the passing game, and Jones continues to be able to pull off explosive runs. I believe he goes over 100 yards from scrimmage in this game and love this bet.
Prop Bet: Aaron Jones (over) 94.5 rushing & receiving yards - $1.87 at Unibet (1.5u)
Vikings -2.5
$1.82 (2 Units)
