Why the Rams Will Beat the Vikings on TNF
The way things developed in pro football over the last two weeks has left pundits more than confused, and to some degree, it could even be argued that it all appears as a marketing strategy to boast ratings for an otherwise diminished league of the last two seasons. Controversy aside, week 4 will kick off this coming Thursday with a duel between the recently-battered Minnesota Vikings and a surging Los Angeles Rams, at the latter’s turf of the Memorial Coliseum, around 8:20 pm EST.
Vikings unexpectedly losing at their own home, against a deficient Buffalo Bills, was yet another upset to add up to an odd 2018 run, filled with unpredictable table turns and 3rd quarter come-backs. Once again, and stemming from the careful study of previous experiences and numbers alone, odds makers have agreed that the LA Rams stand a better chance at the upcoming TNF match; sports betting experts YOUWAGER.eu have positioned the Rams on top with a -7 spread, and the o/u at nearly 50 total points (49.5 upon our last check).
A Powerful Home Front
The Rams have pushed their way through the Raiders, Cards and more recently, the Chargers, in a heavy-handed encounter where both Todd Gurley and QB Jared Goff outshone the competition with their excellent play definition; the LA team is aiming for a 4-0 overall, which they haven’t been able to replicate in nearly 17 years. The Rams have proven their superiority at home by achieving a healthy 6-4 SU score during their last 10 matches in LA; in comparison, the Vikings have lost some of their mojo throughout their early away matches, with a healty 24-16 win against the 49ers in week 1 and tying up with Packers in the following week. The most recent disaster handed out by Buffalo has put extra pressure on Minnesota to make more plays on the opposing field and try to raise their points count from an anemic 18 average per game.
Vikings and Rams are both fighting for the top position of the NFC odds charts, with Minnesota currently ahead of its North Division at a +110 money line, while Los Angeles reigns supreme within their own West section (at -1600), closely followed by the Seahawks at +1000 betting price.
With or Without Dalvin Cook
Even though he didn’t show up for Monday’s practice, running back Dalvin Cook is largely expected to make a comeback on Thursday, after briefly recovering from a hamstring injury sustained over two weeks ago. The Vikings suffered plenty without Cook against the Bills last week, as their running game became almost non-existent, but Cook’s preeminent return should mean better chances for Kirk Cousins and his squad. Cousins has shown himself up to the task, managing to complete nearly all his passes and throwing for 965 total yards.
Apart from Cook’s impending rehabilitation, Rams’ cornerback Aqib Talib will very likely miss out Thursday’s game as well, as he’s been sent away for an unsettled number of weeks due to an ankle sprain; also questionable is Marcus Peters for the Rams, who had to deal with a strained calf.
My prediction: unlike the majority of sports commentators, I don’t feel quite so confident about an inevitable ATS victory for the Rams. Talib and Peter’s absences could spell trouble for Los Angeles’ defense and the Vikings will look for every opportunity to get a Week 4 rebound. Rams will win but, will they be able to cover?
