Minnesota Vikings (-2-1/2) vs. Los Angeles Rams: Due to the horrific wildfires plaguing Southern California, this game has been moved to the home stadium of the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, AZ. While this definitely benefits the Vikings, this isn't exactly like the Green Bay Packers having to abandon a home game at Lambeau Field.
In this matchup, my Vikings take on one of the two teams who defeated them in what was a shockingly great regular season. In what was supposed to be a bridge year to 2025 when the Vikings would hand the reins to QB JJ McCarthy as well as sport an augmented roster due to the likelihood of spending big money in free agency, the Vikes exceeded all expectations by going 14-3. And while I expected coach Kevin O'Connell to unlock something in QB Sam Darnold in much the same way he did with Kirk Cousins, I never envisioned a scenario where Darnold would be considered a top 5 MVP candidate as late as Week 17. But after a (to be charitable) clunker in the regular season finale at Detroit, Darnold now faces even more pressure in a "win or go home" scenario, a situation he's never experienced in his NFL career.
You could argue the turning point of the Rams' 2024 season was that Week 8 win over the Vikings. After starting the season 1-4, the Rams limped to an unimpressive win over a mediocre Raiders club four days before that Week 8 contest. There was already serious discussion at that point that if L.A. didn't turn things around, Pro Bowl WR Cooper Kupp and possibly QB Matthew Stafford could be traded by the November 5 deadline. But the Rams finished strong by winning 9 of 11 games after that 1-4 start, thus conquering the NFC West.
After the loss to the Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 8, some Vikings coaches admitted they were caught flat-footed by the return of star WRs Kupp and Puka Nacua, who were both activated from the Injured Reserve list just prior to that matchup. In addition to that, the Vikes were without LB Blake Cashman, which severely hampered their blitz packages. Since Stafford is statistically the worst NFL QB when blitzed, you better believe Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores will bring the house more than the mere 20% put forth in that regular season matchup, especially with Cashman back in the fold.
There were multiple times during this Cinderella season where skeptics were certain Darnold & Co. were about to turn back into a pumpkin only to see the Vikes bounce back in impressive fashion. Last week's loss to Detroit was another opportunity for the doubters to feel validated. For one week, however, I believe the Vikings will rise up again.
Minnesota 27 Los Angeles 21
-------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment