Rams at Minnesota Vikings: Who has the edge?

RAMS (10-4) VS. VIKINGS (7-7)

When: 10 a.m. Sunday

Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

TV/radio: Ch. 11; 710 AM, 93.1 FM, 1330 AM (Spanish)

Line: Rams by 3

Notable wounded designations: Rams: LT Andrew Whitworth and OL Joe Noteboom were among 5 players connected the COVID-19 reserve database Saturday; DL Greg Gaines (ankle) is questionable. Vikings: RB Dalvin Cook was connected the COVID-19 reserve list; WR Adam Thielen (ankle) is questionable.

What’s astatine stake? The teams are successful their ain battles for playoff positions. A Rams triumph would clinch a playoff spot and support them cervix and cervix with the Cardinals for the NFC West rubric with 2 games to play. The Vikings request a triumph to enactment successful the seventh and past NFC playoff spot, with 4 teams beneath them wrong 1 game.

Who’s better? Outside of a three-game descent successful November, the Rams person been 1 of the NFL’s champion teams successful their archetypal twelvemonth with QB Matthew Stafford passing to WR Cooper Kupp from down an improved line. The Vikings could beryllium amended if they hadn’t dropped 4 games by 3 points oregon less (they’ve won 2 specified adjacent games), and QB Kirk Cousins and WR Justin Jefferson are among league leaders.

Matchup to watch: Rams CB Jalen Ramsey vs. Jefferson. It’s a respectful archetypal gathering betwixt the two. The Vikings’ Pro Bowl receiver said he’s “excited” astir “going up against that apical guy.” The Rams’ Pro Bowl cornerback called Jefferson “already 1 of the champion successful the league.”

Rams triumph if … If the violative line, minus Whitworth but with RT Rob Havenstein back, protects Stafford from the defence with a league-high 44 sacks … If the Rams’ seventh-rated walk defense, per Football Outsiders, slows down the Vikings’ seventh-rated passing onslaught … If the Rams triumph the turnover battle; they’re 10-0 erstwhile they triumph oregon necktie successful turnovers, and the Vikings don’t springiness the shot up often.

Fantasy pick: Rams WR Odell Beckham Jr. He faced the Vikings successful the Browns’ triumph successful October. It wasn’t a bully time for Beckham (seven targets, 2 catches, 27 yards). While Kupp volition get his accustomed 100 yards, Beckham should get a accidental against the defence that allows the astir phantasy points to wide receivers.

Prediction: Rams 27, Vikings 23. The Rams are connected the uptick and should determination the shot against the league’s No. 30 defence successful yards allowed. It comes down to the L.A. defence vs. the Minnesota offense, which isn’t arsenic bully without Cook.