Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings Predictions, Odds, Picks

The Vikings also dealt with their own adversity, going down to face the Chicago Bears on Monday night. The Vikings were missing WR Adam Thielen, and few other receivers were missing due to COVID issues. In stepped WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who posted his first NFL touchdown, and the Vikes gutted out a 17-9 win to keep their flicking playoff hopes alive in the NFC. It only gets tougher this week, but at least the QB on the other side is somebody the defense knows well.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Odds

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Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Resources

• Matchup: NFC West vs. NFC North
• Date: Sunday, December 26, 2021
• Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Los Angeles Rams Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 10-4
• ATS: 7-7
• O/U: 7-6-1
• ATS - Away: 3-4

The Rams have won three games in a row, and they have covered a season-high three straight, too. That includes a 30-23 victory as a three-point underdog in its most recent road game in an NFC West showdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 on Monday night. That 3-0 ATS run comes on the heels of an 0-5 ATS skid from Week 7-12.

The total has alternated between UNDER and OVER across the past five games. L.A. hit the UNDER last time out on Tuesday night, and now they have a short week to prepare for a trip halfway across the country to the Twin Cities. That's a pretty tough turnaround. The good news is that the Rams activated several more players from the reserve/COVID list, and they still have a few days to get more key players back to be near normal on Sunday.

The Rams have posted a 2-5 ATS mark across the past seven games, while going 2-5 ATS in the past seven as a favorite, too. However, they're an impressive 27-12-1 ATS in the past 40 games against NFC teams, and 10-3-1 ATS in the past 14 games in the month of December.

As far as the total is concerned, the UNDER is 5-1 in the past six games in the month of December, while the UNDER is 24-8-1 in the past 33 games as a favorite. In the previous nine on the road, the OVER is 6-2-1.

Minnesota Vikings Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 7-7
• ATS: 8-6
• O/U: 8-6
• ATS - Home: 3-3

The Vikings won a defensive battle on Monday night, and normally they'd be the team on a short week, but the Rams just played Tuesday, so Minnesota actually holds a slight advantage. Minnesota has won and covered two straight to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they're 5-2 ATS across the past seven games overall. That includes each of their past two games at home, wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.

The Vikings are 3-7 ATS in the past 10 games at home, however, while going 2-5 ATS in the past seven games in the month of December. However, the Vikings have covered four of the past five against teams with a winning record, while going 20-6-1 ATS in the past 27 as a home underdog.

As far as totals, Minnesota has cashed the OVER in four of the past five games overall, while also going 4-1 in the past five in December. As a home 'dog, however, the Vikes have hit the UNDER in seven of the past 10 games.

The Los Angeles Rams have posted a 10-3-1 ATS mark in the past 14 games in the month of December. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Los Angeles Rams

• Record: 10-4
• Division Standing: 3-2
• Points Scored: 386
• Points Allowed: 303
• PS/G: 27.6
• PA/G: 21.6

Inside the Stats - Minnesota Vikings

• Record: 7-7
• Division Standing: 3-1
• Points Scored: 361
• Points Allowed: 342
• PS/G: 25.8
• PA/G: 24.4

Key Players to Watch

• LAR: Cooper Kupp - WR (122 catches, 1,625 yards, 14 TD)
• LAR: Matthew Stafford - QB (336/497, 4,142 yards, 35 TD, 10 INT)
• MIN: Kirk Cousins - QB (331/501, 3,656 yards, 29 TD, 6 INT)
• MIN: Justin Jefferson - WR (89 catches, 1,335 yards, 9 TD)

Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Conclusion

The Rams looked like a legit Super Bowl contender early in the season, they lost their way by going winless in November, but now they're back and better than ever. Los Angeles is getting players back from the reserve/COVID list by the way, and as long as they have Stafford, Beckham, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, they're going to be in good shape. A trip to the Twin Cities is a huge test, especially with just five days to prepare, but the Rams are 5-2 SU/3-4 ATS in seven games on the road this season, and they'll be able to get it done here while dashing the hopes of the Vikings in one fell swoop.

It's not that the Vikings can't score, as the offense is more than capable. But the defense just cannot hold the opposition down, and you can expect Cooper Kupp, who was not affected by the COVID outbreak for the Rams, to have another strong game like last week. He has three straight games with 123 receiving yards and at least one score, and he'll find plenty of room to operate against a Vikings pass defense which is allowed 252.1 yards per game, 29th in the NFL.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

• The Rams are 2-5 ATS in the past seven games overall.
• The Rams are 2-5 ATS in the past seven as a favorite.
• The Rams are 10-3-1 ATS in the past 14 games in December.
• The Vikings are 5-2 ATS in the past seven games overall.
• The Vikings are 3-7 ATS in the past 10 games at home.
• The Vikings are 5-2 ATS in the past seven as an underdog.
• The OVER is 6-2-1 in the past nine road games for the Rams.
• The OVER is 4-1 in the past five games overall for the Vikings.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
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Kevin Rogers

Kevin has been handicapping professionally since 2007 at VegasInsider before shifting to ScoresAndOdds. He focuses on MLB, NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball, and NHL and mainly uses trends, systems, and situations as his top handicapping angles. More from Kevin Rogers