Rams vs. Vikings opening odds: Road team favored in Wild Card Round

Rams are slim home underdogs in rematch of Week 8 matchup

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The L.A. Rams will host the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round on Monday night, with the Rams a 2.5-point underdog at FanDuel Sportsbook. Minnesota will be out for revenge following a controversial moment the last time these teams faced off. Yes, Byron Young, I’m referring to your missed facemask penalty which had no bearing on the final result but I digress.

Los Angeles dropped to the four-seed in the NFC after losing 30-25 to the Seahawks in the regular season finale. With Sean McVay resting his starters, Jimmy Garoppolo started under center and threw for 334 yards with 2 touchdowns and a pick. Rookie wideout Jordan Whittington saw extended playing time and made the most of it by leading the Rams with 86 receiving yards. Tyler Higbee caught his second touchdown in the last three games off a 6-yard pass from Garoppolo in the second quarter to get LA within four.

Minnesota got stuffed into a locker and had their lunch money stolen before a national audience on Sunday night following a 31-9 beatdown in Detroit. The Vikings squandered their chance at the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. Sam Darnold was atrocious, completing 44% of his passes as All-Pro Justin Jefferson was shut down by Lions cornerback Amik Robertson. Former Rams running back Cam Akers paced the Vikings with 65 rushing yards, yet 58 of them came on one run on Minnesota’s first drive of the second half.

The Purple People Eaters were eaten alive by Jahmyr Gibbs who gashed them for 4 total touchdowns. Although, it wasn’t all bad defensively since the Vikings picked off Jared Goff twice, with Harrison Smith fielding Goff’s badly overthrown pass to keep his team in it for the time being.

LA is one of two teams that have beaten the Vikings this season. Matthew Stafford put together his best outing of the year in the Week 8 affair. Stafford will need to recapture whatever magic he found against Brian Flores the first time since the Rams have been dismal lately, averaging 14.7 points per game from Weeks 15-17. Minnesota looked terrible in the Motor City, managing only three field goals in the 22-point loss.

Something’s got to give with one of these offenses solving their woes. I expect the Rams to figure things out as they put together their best offensive outing since the Bills shootout. Also, LA’s defensive front has enough playmakers to frustrate Sam Darnold. His lack of playoff experience will be exploited. Stafford and company will advance to the Divisional Round.

What is your prediction for Wild Card Weekend, Turf Show Ramily? Drop your predictions in the comments!