Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Wild Card Predictions, Picks and Odds

For this final game of the NFL Wild Card round, the Minnesota Vikings face off against the Los Angeles Rams in Glendale, at the Cardinals’ stadium.

The game will be played on neutral ground due to the devastating wildfires impacting California.

Vikings vs Rams odds via BetMGM

Spread: Vikings -2.5 | Rams +2.5
Moneyline: Broncos -145 | Bills +120
Over/Under: Over 47.5 | Under 47.5

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Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Game Details

• Date: Monday, Jan. 13th

• Time: 8:00 pm ET

• Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

• Broadcast: ESPN/ABC/ESPN+

Vikings vs Rams Game Preview

Throughout the regular season, the Los Angeles Rams fought relentlessly with their four divisional rivals to determine who would emerge as champions. In this relatively balanced division, it was the Rams who came out on top, as the NFL had to resort to no fewer than five tiebreakers to break the tie between the Californians and the Seattle players.

As in the 2023 season, the Los Angeles Rams had a catastrophic start to the season, with only one win in their first five games. At that point, the hopes of making the NFL playoffs seemed far from the minds of Sean McVay’s team. However, just like last season, the Rams found a second wind and delivered an exceptional second half of the season to secure their spot in the NFL playoffs, entering with no pressure.

On the Minnesota Vikings’ side, their troubles began even before the season started. During the offseason, the Vikings lost their new quarterback, JJ McCarthy, to injury and were forced to hand over the reins of the offense to Sam Darnold, who had just arrived from San Francisco. Far from being discouraged by these setbacks, the Vikings rallied together to deliver an outstanding season in what was arguably the toughest division of the 2024 season.

They even came close to claiming the NFC’s first seed, which would have granted them a bye week and home-field advantage in the NFL playoffs. However, it all came down to the final game, a decisive match that the Detroit Lions ultimately won. This remains one of the few blemishes on the Vikings’ regular season: losing all three games against teams currently in the NFL playoffs, namely the Lions (twice) and the… Los Angeles Rams.

Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Prediction

Surprisingly, it may have been the defense of the Los Angeles Rams that provided the most satisfaction during the 2024 NFL season. The Rams’ defense was particularly effective toward the end of the season when they needed to win tight games, such as their victory over the Chicago Bears. A symbol of this solid defense is rookie Jared Verse, the only Rams player selected for the Pro Bowl, which will take place in early February. Quite the statement.

While the defense was unexpectedly strong heading into the NFL playoffs, the Rams’ offense proved to be rather inconsistent. Capable of scoring over 40 points against the Bills’ defense, the Rams’ offense then endured a significant drought in the final weeks of the season. Certainly, the offense boasts plenty of threats, whether in the running or passing game, but the stars haven’t always aligned for this Los Angeles squad.

One of the Minnesota Vikings’ greatest strengths heading into the NFL playoffs is the remarkably well-rounded roster led by Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings feature an offense that can score almost at will and a defense, under the guidance of Brian Flores, capable of keeping numerous opponents in check. This balance gives the Vikings a broad range of paths to victory, whether in high-scoring shootouts or defensive battles.

The Vikings’ primary weakness—though not a glaring one—lies in their recent kicking game. Their young kicker, Will Reichard, started the 2024 season exceptionally well before suffering an injury. Since then, his field goal accuracy has dropped significantly, converting just 10 of his last 16 attempts. In the NFL playoffs, where games are often decided by the smallest details, one or more missed kicks could tip the balance in the wrong direction. It will be up to the young rookie to rise above the pressure.

PICK 1 – Over 48.5 (-110)

PICK 2 – Justin Jefferson Over 87.5 receiving yards (-115)

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Key Stats

Previous Matchup:

The teams met earlier in the season on October 24, 2024, where the Rams secured a 30–20 victory over the Vikings.

Offensive Statistics:

• Vikings Passing: Quarterback Sam Darnold led the team with 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns during the regular season.

• Rams Passing: Quarterback Matthew Stafford had a strong performance in the previous matchup against the Vikings, throwing for 279 yards and four touchdowns.

• Vikings Rushing: Running back Aaron Jones led the team with 1,138 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.

• Rams Rushing: Running back Kyren Williams contributed significantly in the previous matchup, rushing for 97 yards on 23 carries.

Defensive Statistics:

• Vikings Defense: The team recorded 49 sacks during the regular season, ranking among the top defenses in this category.

• Rams Defense: In their previous encounter with the Vikings, the Rams’ defense sacked quarterback Sam Darnold three times, including a safety by linebacker Byron Young.

Photo Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Charles Taudin

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Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB. If there’s one thing you should remember: Eli Manning is the true GOAT for beating Tom Brady twice.