NFL Wild Card: Vikings vs. Rams | Breakdown & Best Bets (1/13)

It’s Monday night, we’ve got the last game of Wild Card Weekend on the board and it’s a good one. Sam Darnold and the Vikings are in Los Angeles to take on Matt Stafford and the Rams. Both teams are loaded with elite offensive weapons and have had elite play from their respective Quarterbacks this year.

We should be in store for a good game, hopefully the best of the weekend. Sam Darnold playing in his first career playoff game, starting on the road opposite of Matt Stafford. The stage is set, let’s get into my favorite plays in tonight’s Wild Card matchup. 

Here are our best bets for the Vikings vs. Rams

• Vikings vs. Rams o47.5 (-110)
• Aaron Jones o19.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

Vikings vs. Rams Game Information

Matchup Information

• Location: SoFi Stadium; Los Angeles, California
• Date: Monday, January 13th, 2025
• Kickoff: 8:00 PM EST

Quarterback Matchup

• Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold (14-3; 2024 – 254.1 YPG | 35 TD | 12 INT)
• Los Angeles Rams: Matt Stafford (10-7; 2024 – 235.1 YPG | 20 TD | 8 INT)

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Run Line

• Minnesota Vikings-2.5 (-110)
• Los Angeles Rams +2.5 (-110)

Money Line

• Minnesota Vikings (-140)
• Los Angeles Rams (+120)

Total

• Over 47.5 (-110)
• Under 47.5 (-110)

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Vikings vs. Rams Analysis & Breakdown

Kings of the West

At the start of this season, there were a lot of predictions in regards to the NFC West. Conversations that had the Niners projected to run away with the division, make the Conference Finals and possibly make it back to the Super Bowl. Los Angeles put stop on those plans.

The Rams not only walked away with the Division title, but they beat the 49ers TWICE on the way. Now they represent the only team of the 4 in the NFC West to make it to the big dance. In Matt Stafford we trust, that’s the motto at So-Fi and he’s yet to steer them astray.

Los Angeles’ record may say 10-7 but their 10 wins have come against some of the toughest teams in the league. The Rams are the only team this year, outside of Detroit, to best the Vikings and they did it by 10 points.

Not only did they beat the Vikings, but they beat Josh Allen and the Bills, despite Buffalo’s 42 points. Los Angeles always went 5-1 against their own division, their only loss being in Week 18 with most of the starters on the bench.

14-Wins & On the Road

It’s been a huge point of conversation over the last few weeks, the Vikings lost just 3 games this year and are still forced to go on the road. Sam Darnold will make his playoff debut today and he’ll do it on the road.

Darnold’s resurrected his career with the Minnesota Vikings this year, he’s averaging 254.1 pass yards per game, he’s thrown 35 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. Not only did he set a career-high in touchdown passes, yards per game and wins; he set a career-low for interceptions (min. 12 games played).

Vikings’ Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has this offense firing on all cylinders and Brian Flores has masterminded one of the NFL’s most confusing defenses. The Vikings rank #1 in blitz rate this season, 4th in sacks, 1st in interceptions and 1st in total takeaways. They beat you up and then they beat you up some more.

Vikings vs. Rams o47.5 (-110)

Both of these offenses have shown all year that they know how to put up points. The Rams, over the L4 weeks have struggled to exactly that. Los Angeles put up less than 20 points in 3 of the 4 games, with the 1 game they scored 25 being with their backups.

Tonight, if they hope to stand a chance in this game, the Rams will need to put up points. Matt Stafford threw just 20 touchdowns, tied for his lowest output ever in a season where he played at least 12 games.

Points, points and more points.

Stafford 2 biggest weapons, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp spent a majority of the year on the sidelines with injuries and it showed in Stafford’s play. In games with both Kupp and Nacua, Stafford averaged 244.3 yards per game, 18 of his 20 touchdowns came with one of those guys in the game and he threw just 5 interceptions in 11 games.

On the other side, we should be less worried about the Vikings putting up points. Minnesota ranks 9th in points per game this year (25.4), 6th in pass yards and have one of the best WR combos in the NFL. Jefferson and Addison have a combined 19 touchdowns this year, 2400 receiving yards and average a combined 10 catches per game.

The worry is will they allow the Rams to score? Well, the Vikings also have the 28th ranked pass defense, they rank 18th in opponent red zone efficiency and allow the 2nd most yards to opposing wideouts.

Stafford’s won a Super Bowl, and he’s played in 8 career playoff games, despite playing a majority of his career for the Detroit Lions. He understands what it takes to win in these moments and it’s evident in his play. Stafford averages 307.9 pass yards per game in the playoffs, with 16 touchdowns in 15 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and a 101.7 QBR.

Since coming to LA, Stafford in 4-1 in the post-season, averaging 311.0 pass yards per gam and he’s thrown 11 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. Playoff pedigree, that’s what gives him the edge in tonight’s matchup.

Vikings vs. Rams o47.5 (-110) via BetOnline

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Aaron Jones o19.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

If there’s someone on this team with playoff experience, it’s the veteran Aaron Jones. He’s played in 7 career post-season games and averaged 73 rush yards per game with a 5 yard per carry average; alongside 3.4 receptions per game for just under 30 receiving yards per game.

Jones didn’t have the playoff success he would’ve liked with the Packers but he’s no stranger to big games.

The only Vikings on this offense the last time they made the post-season were Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson and Jalen Nailor in his rookie year. The team looks completely different with Sam Darnold now under center, Aaron Jones in the backfield and Jordan Addisson now opposite Justin Jefferson.

The Vikings are loaded with talent and loaded with weapons on the offensive front. This being Darnold’s biggest game of his life, I expect him to lean on the veteran RB just a little more today. Over his L4 games, Jones has seen 19 targets, he’s caught 14 of them and recorded 20+ yards in all 4 games.

30% off all Betalytics Packages, Code: BNEWS

Aaron Jones o19.5 Receiving Yards (-110) via BetOnline

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your NFL picks today at BetOnline

To Recap, NFL Bets for January 13th, 2025:

In the Vikings vs. Rams game on Monday Night, we’re rolling with 2 props. Vikings vs. Rams o47.5 (-110), & Aaron Jones o19.5 Receiving Yards (-110); both via BetOnline

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