Vikings vs. Rams: Who has the better Pass Rush?
On the Sunday after Christmas, the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams will now meet for the first time since 2018. If the Rams can win this game, they will remain in the race for first place in their division, the NFC West.
The Vikings, on the other hand, no longer have a chance to manoeuvre their way to the top of their group, as the Green Bay Packers are already the only team in the entire National Football League to be locked into the play-offs in the NFC North.
However, it is still possible for both teams to lose their wild card spot in the NFL’s knockout round in a worst-case scenario. In the upcoming Vikings vs. Rams match-up, however, our prediction is a win for the team from LA. Even though both teams have similar strengths, we believe that the Rams have the edge in this clash; the bookmakers also think a tip on the away team is more likely in the Vikings vs. Rams match.
Minnesota Vikings – Statistics & Current Form
The Minnesota side go into this encounter as underdogs. We also believe that Vikings vs Rams will confirm this prediction. Nevertheless, the Vikings are not an opponent you can simply underestimate. They have 44 sacks this season and lead the NFL with this figure. In contrast, however, the offensive linemen have allowed only 22 sacks to their star quarterback Kirk Cousins; only Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets caught less by his opponents’ pass rush.
Continue to plague the Vikings with blowouts?
On offense, however, the Vikings also face absences from key regulars. If Adam Thielen, who has been missing since suffering an ankle injury in Week 13, is still unable to play, Cousins will be missing a key kickoff man – if he even lines up himself. Both players took part in Wednesday’s practice on a limited basis, with the QB suffering a rib injury.
If Thielen is ready to play, however, that would take a lot of pressure off his teammate Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is having a very strong season so far; since fellow WR Thielen has been injured, he is increasingly being defended by two players and is much less likely to be targeted. The Minnesota team is also missing their best running back, Dalvin Cook, due to a positive infection test, and he has been a consistent pillar of the offense.
Key Players:
QB: Kirk Cousins (if he plays)
WR: Justin Jefferson
WR: Adam Thielen (if he plays)
LB: Eric Kendricks
LB: Nick Vigil
Los Angeles Rams – Statistics & Current Form
In the Vikings vs Rams game, the oddsmakers see a win for the team from LA as much more likely, as they are nowhere near as plagued by illness and injuries as their opponent from Minnesota. Although tight end Tyler Highbee and safety Jordan Fuller are missing, both offence and defence can count on their mainstays.
On defence, for example, this would be similar to the Vikings’ pass rush, which manages to build up pressure on the opposing QB and, in the best case, forces him to lose space. Besides defensive end Aaron Donald, linebacker newcomer from the Denver Broncos, Von Miller, also managed to score a sack in the last game. When it comes to pass defence, the Rams can rely on Jalen Ramsey. Defending run balls also suits the Rams, they only allowed one rushing touchdown last week against the Seattle Seahawks.
Stafford-Kupp as new dream duo?
Cooper Kupp is currently playing one of the best seasons for a wide receiver ever, leading the NFL with 122 receptions as well as gaining 1,625 yards of space and 14 touchdowns. He is thus the most important playmaking station for his QB Matthew Stafford, who can also pass to other high-flyers like Odell Beckham Junior or Van Jefferson on the side. Even though it didn’t work very well in the last game against Seahawks, defending pass rushes is a strength of the Rams to avert pressure on their quarterback.
Key Players:
QB: Matthew Stafford
WR: Cooper Kupp
DE: Aaron Donald
LB: Von Miller
CB: Jalen Ramsey
Minnesota Vikings – Los Angeles Rams Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
In the Vikings vs Rams match-up, betting on a Cooper Kupp touchdown is also interesting. Another exciting match-up will be the clash between Vikings WR Jefferson and CB Jalen Ramsey. If the wide receiver manages to gain the upper hand and possibly even draw a second defender to him, this will open up spaces for other Vikings attackers. Otherwise, the Minnesota team is missing an important playmaking station if Ramsey can stop any pass attempts.
However, the two teams have similar strengths. The game will be decided by who can stop the opposing team’s pass rush better, which both teams are known for. However, both teams also have an extremely strong pass rush themselves.
Minnesota Vikings – Los Angeles Rams Tip
We believe in a Rams win, but it could well be a close one. Although the away team has the edge, there are also interesting handicap betting odds waiting for you in the Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams match.
While the Rams are already highly likely to advance to the NFL play-offs and the only thing left to decide in their division is whether they do so in first or second position, the Vikings must continue to tremble for a place in the knockout round. We believe the Vikings’ chances of doing so will worsen with a loss this week.
