We’re officially mid-way through the NFL season as the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) take on the Los Angeles Rams (2-4) tonight at SoFi stadium. Cooper Kupp makes his return from injury, and trade rumors, to help spark this Rams offense that has faced numerous injuries. The Rams are hopeful that Puka Nacua returns tonight as he and Braden Fiske are both questionable for tonight’s game. Ruled out for the Rams are Troy Reeder, Jordan Whittington, and Zach VanValkenburg. On the other hand, the Vikings will be without Blake Cashman. Akayleb Evans, T.J. Hockenson, and Dalton Risner are listed as questionable while Theo Jackson, Aaron Jones, Pat Jones II, Josh Oliver, and Harrison Phillips are expected to play. 

Rams Insight:

The Rams are coming off a win against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) last week, beating them 20-15. The story all season for the Rams is injuries to their offensive line, which has led to six of their linemen going on injured reserve. The Rams rank 19th in sacks allowed (17) and square up against a Vikings defense, led by Brian Flores, that ranks 1st in pressures (89), 1st in blitz percentage (42.5%), 3rd in sacks (24), and 6th in points per game (17.8). Matthew Stafford will get Kupp back, and possibly Nacua, to help spark their passing game that ranks 15th in passing yards per game (212.8), 23rd in points per game (19), and 31st in passing touchdowns (3). Kyren Williams has been the only answer for the offense, scoring nine total touchdowns.

The key to the Rams offense is Williams and the run game. In the last three games, the Rams offense averaged 122.6 rushing yards. It will be difficult for him and the Rams to run the ball versus the Vikings, who are 2nd in rushing yards allowed (80). If they’re going to win, the Rams need to attack early and take care of the football. The Vikings are 2nd in takeaways (14) and have created nightmares for opposing offenses. Stafford has 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He needs to protect the football tonight and get the ball to Kupp and Williams. 

The Rams defense hasn’t been the same without Aaron Donald. They rank 26th in pressures (42), 27th in sacks (11), 30th in rushing yards allowed per game (151.7), and 23rd in opponent passer rating (95.6). The defensive line has struggled to create pressure or sacks without Darnold, but tonight could be different against a Vikings offensive line that ranks 24th in sacks allowed (19). Generating pressure and getting to Sam Darnold is key for a Rams victory tonight. The Vikings offense tends to attack through the air early and run the football with Aaron Jones when they have a lead. The Rams aren’t bad against the pass, ranking 18th in passing yards per game (212.7). They’ll need to keep the Vikings drive short if they’re going to win. 

Vikings Insight: 

The Vikings lost their first game of the year to the Detroit Lions (5-1) last week. The story of the season has been Sam Darnold and the Vikings defense, coached by Brian Flores. Darnold has completed 66.5% of his passes for 1,370 yards while throwing 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones are all playing well so far. However, the offense hasn’t been as consistent as they once were in the last two and a half games. They came out of the gate hot in their last three games, built a lead, and then played stagnant while their opponents were mounting comebacks. If the Vikings are going to win this game, their offense needs to keep their foot on the gas. 

The matchup versus the Rams defense is favorable for them as the Rams rank 30th versus the run (151.7), 23rd in opponent passer rating (95.6), 26th in points allowed per game (25.7), and 18th versus the pass (212.7). With the Rams being one of the worst teams against the run, the Vikings need to attack the run game with Aaron Jones. Their first possession should be a long drive that focuses on pounding the football and calling play-action. If the Vikings can score on a long drive, the Rams defense will be gassed and put pressure on their offense. 

On the defensive side, Flores has been making life easier for the offense. The defense has been generating sacks, creating turnovers, and shutting down the run game. The only thing that has been working well for the Rams is that they’ve been running the ball well in the last three games. The Vikings need to shut down any glimmer of hope for the Rams offense early by shutting down Williams and the run game. The Rams offensive line is depleted and no match against the Vikings defensive line. If the Vikings contain the run game, it forces Stafford and the Rams to rely on the pass, which they aren’t good at.

Prediction:

If the Vikings offense isn’t stagnant, I see the Vikings winning over the Rams 30-16. The Vikings defense has been great against the run and pass while being able to generate sacks. The Rams offensive line is hurt, and their star receivers are just coming back from injury. I don’t think this is a good matchup for the Rams. The only thing they have going for them is the run, which the Vikings are great against. I believe Sean McVay will find a way to generate points against his old offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, but I don’t think it’ll be enough with the talent the Rams have on both sides of the ball.