Vikings vs Rams Wild Card Predictions | NFL Playoff Picks Today, Best Bets

The LA fires may have displaced the final Wild Card game of the opening round, but the new venue has had little impact on the betting line. The Minnesota Vikings are holding steady at -2.5 chalk against the Los Angeles Rams, with the total hovering around 47.5. By virtue of its NFC West title, Los Angeles is the higher-seeded team. Still, bettors can’t get enough of the 14-3 Vikings, who came up one win shy of a first-round bye. Minnesota outranks the Rams in nearly every statistical category, but the NFC West winners have been proving naysayers wrong since the start of the season. Do the Rams have one more upset left in them?

Where to Watch Vikings vs Rams

• Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ)
• Time: Monday, January 13, 8:00 p.m. ET | Where to Watch: ESPN, ABC
• Spread: Vikings -2.5 | Moneyline: Vikings -136 | Total: 47.5

Vikings vs Rams Wild Card Best Bet ATS: Vikings -2.5

From Week 13 to Week 17, the Los Angeles Rams went on a five-game winning streak to secure their fourth division title of the past seven years. Statistically, it was still an underwhelming stretch as they struggled to get past some of the worst teams in the NFL. The combined record of the teams they faced over that stretch was 37-48. The only team they defeated over that stretch was a 44-42 triumph over the Buffalo Bills. The betting odds also reflected the lack of faith in the Rams. LA was priced as underdogs in two of those four contests and as -3.5 favorites or fewer in two of the three other contests. The Vikings were much more proficient at covering the spread throughout the season. Minnesota went 11-5-1 against the number, including 5-1 over the final six weeks of the regular season. Their record looks even more impressive as favorites. Since Week 11, the Vikings went 5-1-1 as the betting chalk, winning all seven contests. We’re betting that trend continues, with Minnesota covering the number in the Wild Card round.

Vikings vs Rams Wild Card Best Bet Total: Under 47.5

The Vikings and Rams have All-Pro-worthy offensive stars sprinkled throughout their roster. Still, both prioritize playing fiercely on the defensive side of the ball. That much is reflected in their notable ‘under’ trends throughout the regular season. Minnesota stayed beneath the total in 10 of 17 this year, with the Rams going 9-9 to the under. Both teams need to be at their best to contain their opponent’s best players, and we’re anticipating another resounding defensive performance from the Rams and Vikings. Moreover, LA has turned to its defense more frequently in the latter stages of the campaign. The Rams have stayed under the total in four of their last six, including three of the past four. Minnesota will want to avoid getting into a run-and-gun game with the Rams, with possession being a driving factor in its game plan. As a result, the final Wild Card game of the weekend should fall below the total.

Vikings vs Rams Wild Card Best Player Props

Kyren Williams Over 81.5 Rushing Yards, Any Time Touchdown Scorer -150

The Rams wouldn’t be in the playoffs if not for Kyren Williams and his superb end to the season. The Rams running back carried his team over the final third of the campaign, and he should maintain his workload and ceiling into the playoffs. The former Pro Bowler totaled 477 yards over the last five games of the regular season, crossing the century mark on three occasions. Further, he was the bellcow of the Rams’ offense. Williams averaged 21.9 rushing attempts over the same sample, totaling 23 carries or more in all but two of those contests. Not surprisingly, that increased usage correlates with improved scoring efficacy. The third-year pro found the endzone in four of those five contests, tallying five scores throughout. Those reliable trends will persist into the Wild Card round. We’re taking a firm stance on Williams going north of 81.5 rushing yards and backing him in the anytime touchdown scorer market.

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