‘Thursday Night Football’ Betting Preview: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams

The Minnesota Vikings fell from the ranks of the unbeaten in Week 7, dropping their first game at home to the Detroit Lions. It also knocked them out of first place.

Minnesota played well, only losing to the Lions at the very end of the game. Quarterback Sam Darnold continued to be a revelation, receiver Justin Jefferson looked like the superstar that he is, and running back Aaron Jones showed that his hamstring is fine. At least for now.

Sometimes, teams benefit from a short week. Getting right back out there, getting back to winning ways, and then taking a long rest after a Thursday game is where the Vikings hope to be.

Game Line: Vikings (-2.5)

The Rams are coming off a win. They are at home, they are expecting to have Cooper Kupp for the first time since Week 2, and yet they are the underdog at home.

L.A. is a pedestrian 1-5 against the spread this season (2-4 straight up), and they have lost three straight games ATS. They are coming off a 20-15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it was a touchdown spread when the game kicked off. The one time they covered this season was when they beat the San Francisco 49ers straight up as six-point underdogs.

Minnesota’s loss to the Lions was the first time this season that they failed to cover the spread. In their two road games and one neutral game in London, the Vikings are 3-0 against the spread. Their biggest cover was the 34-7 win against the Houston Texans.

Quarterback Proposition Bets

The Rams are overmatched in the standings. But even still missing Puka Nacua, this offense will move the ball. Matthew Stafford has an over/under on passing yards of 237.5 yards, and if he throws for more than 250, he pays +120. Over 300 yards and the payout is +475. 

Both Brock Purdy and Jordan Love threw for more than 300 yards against the Vikings defense this season.

The passing yards over/under for Darnold is 240.5, and at 250 yards, his payout is +115. Over 300 yards and he is paying +450. L.A. has yet to allow a 300-yard passer this season.

Running Back Proposition Bets

David Montgomery, James Conner, D’Andre Swift, and Alexander Mattison have all rushed for at least 90 yards against the Rams defense, and Aaron Jones has an over/under of 67.5 rushing yards on Thursday. He had a big game on Sunday, but only carried the ball 14 times, so his legs should be fresh going into Thursday’s game.

Rams running back Kyren Williams has an over/under of 75.5 yards, and only two backs – Jordan Mason and Jahmyr Gibbs – have rushed for that many yards against the Vikings.

Williams is -200 to score a touchdown in the game, while Jones is paying -135. Jones has scored in three games this season, and Williams has touchdowns in all six of his games.

Pass Catcher Proposition Bets

Kupp has been a full participant in practice and he is ready to play. One possible wrench in the plan is that the Rams have also been talking to teams about trading Kupp. That could keep him on the sideline or limit his time on the field. If a trade is close, neither the Rams or a possible new team will want to risk him.

If Kupp does play his expected number of snaps on Thursday, his over/under on receiving yards is 68.5.

Demarcus Robinson has a line of 26.5 receiving yards, Tutu Atwell is at 39.5 yards, and tight end Colby Parkinson has an over/under of 33.5 yards.

For the Vikings, it’s all about getting the ball to Justin Jefferson. His over/under is 83.5 receiving yards, a total he’s gone over three times this season. On Sunday against the Lions, he had 81 yards and a touchdown. If he goes over 100 yards on Thursday, a bet on Jefferson pays +175.

Jordan Addison has a line of 40.5 receiving yards, one game after he went for 66 yards. He also had 82 yards in Minnesota’s Week 4 win at the Green Bay Packers.

As touchdown scorers, Kupp pays +110, Robinson is +370, Atwell is +265, Parkinson is +310, Jefferson is paying -115, and Addison is +200.

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