MIN at LAR: The Vikings’ Most Important Matchups and Game Prediction
MIN at LAR: NFL Playoffs, Wild Card Round
The Vikings get a shot at revenge.
Only two teams have proven capable of beating Minnesota in the 2024 regular season: the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. Detroit had enough talent to allow lightning to strike twice; Kevin O’Connell will be doing everything in his power ensure that Los Angeles can’t do likewise. What are the key matchups in the game and who is going to win?
MIN at LAR: Matchups & Prediction
Start up front.
At No. 19, the Los Angeles Rams drafted edge rusher Jared Verse. Doing so helped to replenish a defensive front that had lost Aaron Donald, arguably the greatest defender in NFL history. Verse, of course, isn’t being asked to be a one-for-one replacement but, rather, a promising pass rusher who can be a weapon for years to come.
Ask PFF and the analytics website will tell you that Mr. Verse is the NFL’s 9th-best edge rusher, suggesting he’s far more disruptive than his 4.5 sacks suggest. Minnesota is coming off a game where the pressure created huge problems, so corralling Verse seems like a good place to start.
Next up is the challenge presented by Kyren Williams.
Only 5’9″ and weighing just 202 pounds, Williams is coming off of a regular season where he carried the ball 316 times. For his efforts, Williams was rewarded with 1,299 rushing yards (4.1 YPC average) and 14 touchdowns. He added on 34 receptions, 182 receiving yards, and 2 scores. Eliminate the runner from the offense’s game plan early on and force the Rams to become one dimensional.
Finally, consider a matchup that’s a bit more outside-of-the-box. Can Kevin O’Connell formulate a game plan that allows Sam Darnold to get comfortable between the lines, showing off his tremendous arm talent and strong athleticism in the process? Put differently, can the head coach find a strategy/play calls that allow for Darnold to take on the moment and find success?
The lights were very bright in Week 18. Win on the road at Ford Field on Sunday Night Football and secure the NFC’s top spot, a possibility that seemed impossible back in September. Rather than rise to the occasion, Darnold played his worst game with horns on his helmet.
The final key matchup, then, involves O’Connell and Darnold taking on the pressure-packed moment. Forget about the Rams and what they’ll be looking to do. There’s enough talent within Minnesota’s offense to do damage no matter the defense. The onus shifts to the HC and QB to make things happen in the tournament where a single bad game means that the season is officially over.
Maybe I’ll regret this decision, but I’m rolling with the Vikings to get back on track, if only for a single week. Give me the road team.
Official Prediction: Vikings 31 – Rams 27
Regular Season Prediction Record: 12-5
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and PFF helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.