NFL
By Steve Rogers
The Vikings’ week eight matchup against the L.A. Rams is on a short week; they play this Thursday night. The Vikings have no time to sulk over the hard-fought battle with the Detroit Lions, which they came up short of winning. The Vikings need to shift their focus to the West Coast as they head to L.A. to take on the Rams. The Rams are coming off their second win of the year over the lifeless Las Vegas Raiders. This will be the Viking’s first primetime game of the year.
Familiar Foe
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell built his resume to become a head coach as the offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach for the L.A. Rams. He helped lead their offense to a Super Bowl win in his second year as the offensive coordinator. O’Connell knows how this Rams offense works or wants to work probably better than anyone else in the league. He knows the ins and outs inside and out. O’Connell has deep knowledge of how the players operate and the kind of chemistry quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp have. He calls it synergy. This is the first time O’Connell will face his former team since becoming the Vikings head coach.
Health Factors
Injuries have been the number one contributing factor to why the Ram’s season has sputtered to start the year. The Rams love to throw the ball around. However, when your top tight end target Tyler Higbee is still on injured reserve recovering from a knee injury suffered late last year that takes away one of their options. Then to start the year they lost All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp to an ankle injury strike two. As if that wasn’t bad enough they also lost wide receiver phenom Puka Nacua to a knee injury. Injuries have sacked the Rams all year.
Part of the reason for the Viking’s early success is they have managed to remain relatively healthy. The Vikings also retooled /overhauled their roster to be more balanced from head to toe. Meaning if a guy goes down the next guy up is close to the same talent and skill level. They also targeted positionally flexible guys. For instance, all the Vikings linebackers can play any of the linebacker spots inside outside, etc. Furthermore, guys like safety Josh Metellus are positionally interchangeable he’s primarily a safety but Brian Flores will line him up as a cornerback linebacker or even as a defensive end. He is known as the Swiss army knife of the defense. Having quality depth across the roster has afforded the Vikings the good fortune of staying healthier than most other teams.
Final Takes
The Rams have been averaging 19 points per game. The return of Kupp should help the offense gain some momentum. Will have to wait and see if he’s 100% or maybe trying to go at 80 to 90%. The Vikings might also be welcoming back a key weapon in their offense as well. The return of tight end T.J. Hockenson is growing with anticipation. The Vikings opened Hockenson’s 21-day practice window during week five meaning they have to activate him before week nine. So Hockenson might not be back for this Rams game.
This will be an offensive battle being waged by two genius play-calling head coaches. Former brothers in arms who sat at the same war room table to scheme up these offenses. Now must face each other from opposing sidelines for the first time. Is Rams head coach Sean McVay still the master or has the apprentice Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell surpassed him? The Vikings offense is averaging 28 points per game.
However, the real chess match will be about which defense can do a better job of slowing or disrupting the other offense. That’s where the biggest difference will be seen and felt. The Vikings are giving up only 80 yards rushing against them per game. While the Rams are surrendering nearly double that at 151 yards per game. The Rams are giving up 25.7 points per game. The Vikings are holding teams under 18 points per game at 17.8.
By the numbers, the Vikings are three-point favorites. The Vikings are 2-0 in away games this year. The Viking’s offense will get the better of the Ram’s defense and get over their 28-point average. Having Kupp back will give a much-needed boost to the Ram’s offense and will help them beat their 19-point average. With both teams beating their averages I would say the 48.5 over-under is likely to be over. I’m taking the Vikings to bounce back and pounce on a team that’s still hurting. The final score will be Vikings 38 Rams 23.
