Thursday Night Football heads to Hollywood as the Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Rams tonight. The Rams will lean on veteran QB Matthew Stafford to handle Minnesota's defense, but my Vikings vs. Rams predictions show he has more support in the primetime spotlight.
Make sure to also check out our favorite Vikings vs. Rams props and more NFL picks before placing your bets! Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with the game airing on Prime Video.
Vikings vs Rams prediction
My best bet
Matthew Stafford Over 235.5 passing yards (-113 at FanDuel)
My analysis
Los Angeles Rams veteran QB Matthew Stafford has been in survival mode for the majority of L.A.’s games this season.
With injuries to his receiving corps and offensive line, the 36-year-old has taken plenty of punishment while watching his production dwindle. However, Stafford is getting some of those bodies back in Week 8, including WR Cooper Kupp.
Kupp is expected to return to the lineup for the first time since suffering an injury in Week 2 and could be joined by offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, who arrives just in time to face a vaunted Minnesota Vikings pass rush.
Minnesota’s blitz-happy schemes are cooking up the highest pressure rate in the NFL, but this pass defense has shown cracks over the past three outings, giving up yardage totals of 389, 244, and 280 — third-most in the league over the past three games.
The Vikings boasted the lowest EPA per dropback in the opening three weeks of play, but that advanced metric has dipped to No. 12 since Week 4 with those three rival QB posting a collective success rate per dropback of 43.8% compared to 37.3% to start the schedule.
Due to those injuries to top receivers and cluster ailments to the o-line, Stafford’s 2024 advanced stats aren’t great when you measure him against pass pressure and blitzing attacks. However, for his career, the 16-year veteran has been one of the best quarterbacks at burning the blitz, including ranking No. 13 at PFF versus extra pass rusher in 2023.
Considering those returnees on offense, Minnesota’s dominant run defense (No. 1 in EPA allowed per handoff), and a game-script that has Los Angeles playing from behind (indoors on the fast track of SoFi Stadium), Stafford player projections are positive.
Stafford’s passing yard total for Thursday Night Football is set at 235.5 Over/Under — a bar he’s surpassed only twice all year. Forecasts all come in above that current Over/Under prop and range from 238 to 262 yards passing from the Rams quarterback, with my number at 246 yards through the air.
Vikings vs Rams TNF same-game parlay
Matthew Stafford 225+ passing yards
Cooper Kupp 60+ receiving yards
Justin Jefferson 6+ receptions
Stafford has the healthiest offense he’s had around him in a long time. Projections all sit north of 235 yards passing.
Kupp is back in the mix and models call for 60 or more yards in his first game back since Week 2.
Justin Jefferson is forecasted to have six or more catches against L.A. and has had at least six receptions in four straight games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best Vikings vs Rams bonus
Get $300 in bonus bets when you win with FanDuel!
New users can create an account at FanDuel and place your first bet of $5+ on the NFL — and get $300 in bonus bets if your first bet wins!
Sign up now at FanDuel Sportsbook, or learn more with our comprehensive FanDuel review.
Vikings vs Rams odds
Vikings vs Rams live odds
Vikings vs Rams opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota -3 | Los Angeles +3
- Moneyline: Minnesota -164 | Los Angeles +138
- Over/Under: Over 45.5 | Under 45.5
Odds courtesy of FanDuel
Vikings vs Rams spread and Over/Under analysis
- Minnesota opened between -3 and -3.5 for Thursday Night Football and the line has bounced around that key number in the first few days of action.
- According to Covers Consensus, 80% of spread picks are on the Vikings.
- According to FanDuel, 89% of spread picks and 90% of handle are on the Vikings.
- The Over/Under total opened at 46.5 and has climbed to 48.5 O/U with the Rams getting some important pieces back on offense and the Vikings defense showing holes versus the pass.
- Covers Consensus shows 53% of O/U picks on the Over.
- FanDuel is reporting that 51% of tickets are on the Over while 53% of handle is on the Under.
- The sportsbook's three most popular anytime touchdown scorer bets are Justin Jefferson (-115), Cooper Kupp (+125), and Cam Akers (+900).
Vikings vs Rams betting trend to know
The Rams have been regular season home underdogs just 12 times under head coach Sean McVay. Los Angeles is 6-6 ATS in as a pup in those homestands but has gone 8-4 Over/Under in those spots. Find more NFL betting trends for Vikings vs. Rams.
How to watch Vikings vs Rams
| Location: | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Date: | Thursday, 10-24-2024 |
| Kickoff: | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Amazon Prime |
Learn how to live stream Vikings vs Rams for free.
Vikings vs Rams latest injuries
Vikings vs Rams weather
Monitor gametime conditions with our live NFL weather info and learn how weather impacts NFL betting.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
See FanDuel T&Cs
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ and present in select states. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
