Rams vs. Vikings TNF Picks, Predictions & Player Props: Stafford Trade Talks Loom Large Ahead of NFC Showdown

• Teams are 0-4 SU and ATS after facing the Lions

• Matthew Stafford has been linked to a trade with the Vikings

• Minnesota suffered its first loss of the season last week

The Los Angeles Rams (2-4) are welcoming the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) to the West Coast for an NFC conference showdown on Thursday Night Football in NFL Week 8.

The Rams are still alive in the NFC West despite starting the year slowly, though their pile of injuries have made it difficult for them to stay competitive against superior opponents. Meanwhile, the Vikings played one of the best and most physical games of the year against the Detroit Lions last week and have to fly across the country on a short week.

Here, we will analyze and make our favorite betting picks for the Rams vs. Vikings TNF matchup.

Rams vs. Vikings Odds 

The following odds for the Rams vs. Vikings TNF matchup are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. Place your bets at BetMGM and claim up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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Rams vs. Vikings My Pick

• My Pick: Vikings Spread at -3 (-105) via BetMGM Sportsbook

Teams are 0-4 straight up and against the spread and failed to cover by an average of 25.9 points the week after they faced the Lions. That may sound like a hand-picked stat, but it’s a testament to Detroit’s physicality and the physical effect they have on their opponents. 

That said, the Rams are already thinking about trading their QB and don’t have many of their impactful players. Minnesota has a team of excellent coaches and is hungry to get back in the win column after going toe-to-toe with Detroit, and we like them in this spot.

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Rams vs. Vikings Predictions 

One of the biggest stories heading into the matchup is that, according to reports, the Vikings are working on a trade that would send quarterback Sam Darnold to the Rams for QB Matthew Stafford.

Stafford won a Super Bowl the first year he was traded from the Lions to the Rams, and the Vikings believe that they have a chance to win their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.

The Vikings are better than the Rams in every aspect. They have one of the best and most aggressive defenses in the NFL, an offense that scores 28 points (per game), and have already beaten talented teams such as the San Francisco 49ers, the Houston Texans, and the Green Bay Packers.

Without the full complement of their usual roster, the Rams are a below-average team. Rookie edge-rusher Jared Verse leads the NFL in pressure rate, yet defense is 25th in average points allowed (25.7). 

The lack of a solid rushing game (100.3 yards per game - 26th) and the losses of receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua also caused Stafford to struggle, which is why he only has three touchdowns and four interceptions after six games.

Rams vs. Vikings  Best Player Props

Aaron Jones Anytime Touchdown Scorer (-115) at BetMGM

Jones found his way into the end zone three times in six games (one of which he left early with an injury). His 85 carries are nearly double the amount awarded to backup Ty Chandler, and he’ll be in the good graces of the coaching staff after he ran 14 times for 93 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and a touchdown last weekend.

The Rams gave up one rushing touchdown per game and are 25th in scoring defense. Jones might not be in contention for the rushing title, but he’s a solid back with a steady workload, which is all that’s needed in an offense that has moved the ball up and down the field all year.

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Matthew Stafford Over 0.5 Interceptions (-105) at BetMGM

Stafford could have Cooper Kupp back for this game, but that won’t change the pressure he’s facing behind a porous offensive line and against a blitz-happy Brian Flores. Stafford also threw an interception in three straight games, while the Vikings intercepted opposing quarterbacks a league-high 1.8 times per game.

If the reports are true, Stafford will know that he’s potentially playing for his future—both in LA and in Minnesota. That, combined with the Rams’ dire positioning in the NFC West, will speed up his internal clock and could lead him to make poor decisions.

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Kyren Williams under 75.5 rushing yards (-120) at BetMGM

Williams, a third-year pro from Notre Dame, went over this line in four straight games, during which he averaged 90.3 rushing yards per game. He also received at least 21 carries in each of the last three games as the Rams have leaned into their running game more and more.

Despite the obvious signs that Williams is becoming a larger threat on the ground, the Vikings held opponents to 80 rushing yards per game and 4.0 yards per carry—the fifth-fewest in the NFL. This is also a short week for the Rams, which should balance out some of the physical effects left by the Lions.

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Rams vs. Vikings How to Watch

• When: Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5:15/8:15 p.m. PT/ET

• Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

• Where to Watch: Prime Video

Rams vs. Vikings Best Promos and Sportsbooks

Most major sportsbooks have the Vikings favored by 2.5 or three points. Rams bettors should turn to BetMGM, where they are +3 (-115) underdogs.

Anyone betting on the Rams vs. Vikings Thursday Night Football showdown may also be able to redeem special prizes with NFL promo codes we have listed in the table below.

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Rams vs. Vikings Injuries

Minnesota Vikings Injuries

• Blake Chasman (LB) - Questionable

• Harrison Phillips (DT) - Questionable 

• Aaron Jones (RB) - Questionable (hamstring)

• T.J. Hockenson (TE) - Out (knee)

Los Angeles Rams Injuries

• Troy Reeded (LB) - Questionable

• Neville Gallimore (DT) - Questionable (shoulder)

• Jordan WHittington (WR) - Questionable (shoulder)