The Minnesota Vikings suffered their first defeat of the season last time out and they will be determined to bounce back at the first time of asking, when they make the trip to Los Angeles in the early hours of Friday morning to face the Rams.
Minnesota had a perfect record at 5-0 before a 31-29 defeat on home soil at the hands of the Detroit Lions, in which a late fightback from the Vikings was not enough.
With the pressure of trying to go the season unbeaten now lifted, the Vikings could be freed up to really attack a Rams side that have been hit-and-miss this season.
Impressive wins over the San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders have been mixed with defeats to the Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
After the frustration of the Lions loss last time out, the Vikings are ready to charge headlong into the Rams and look capable of leaving SoFi Stadium with the spoils this week.
Los Angeles Rams v Minnesota Vikings betting tips
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Rams to feel Vikings backlash
Leading 29-28 with just seconds on the clock, a late field goal from Detroit scuppered Minnesota’s perfect record in the NFL this season.
Detroit are one of the best sides in the NFC at this moment and the result was certainly no disgrace for Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
KOC will be eager to make sure the defeat was just a blip and the Vikings are good value to cover the spread against the Rams on Friday.
The Rams have struggled with their aerial game this season, with quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing more interceptions (4) than touchdown passes (3).
LA relies heavily on their ground game and much will depend on running back Kyren Williams, who has already earned 436 yards rushing and scored an impressive eight touchdowns in six games.
If the Vikings defence can keep Williams quiet at SoFi Stadium, there’s not enough in the Rams’ aerial game to keep them in Friday’s contest.
Jefferson can strike again
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has been enjoying an impressive season so far, throwing for 1370 yards and recording 12 touchdown passes.
The biggest beneficiary of Darnold’s form this term has been Justin Jefferson, who has 531 receiving yards to his name and five touchdowns.
Wide receiver Jefferson, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft, has been showing why he was so highly rated at Louisiana State University this season.
A key weapon in the Vikings offence, Jefferson has had 33 receptions in six games and has been averaging 16.1 yards.
Against a Rams defence that has conceded 16 touchdowns this season, Jefferson looks to be good value to add to his touchdown tally for the season in Los Angeles.
All odds correct at time of writing
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