The Cardinals failed to make the postseason, but Arizona unexpectedly found itself as the host of Monday night’s highly-anticipated conclusion to Wild Card Weekend.
Due to the wildfires in the Los Angeles areas, the NFL made the proactive decision to move the game from Inglewood, Calif., to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
While the Rams do visit Arizona on an annual basis, the move strips them of a true home-field advantage. It sets the stage for an intriguing end to the six-game slate to kick off the postseason.
ODDS & TRENDS
The Vikings (14-3) fell to the No. 5 seed with their Week 18 loss to Detroit. Minnesota opened as a slight favorite at most sportsbooks but has grown to a consensus 2.5-point favorite following the tumultuous week the Rams (10-7) have faced.
BetRivers reported 57 percent of the spread-line tickets and 60 percent of the money is backing the Vikings, while their -139 moneyline has drawn 66 and 73 percent of the action, respectively. The story has been similar at BetMGM, where Minnesota has been backed by 67 percent of the spread-line and 55 percent of the moneyline handle.
What hasn’t moved significantly is the 47.5 total points line. The Over has garnered 78 percent of the money at BetRivers and 56 percent at BetMGM.
PROP PICKS
–Rams RB Kyren Williams Anytime TD (-155 at BetRivers): Williams has reached the end zone in five of his past six games overall. He should have fresh legs after sitting out the Week 18 loss to Seattle, and Williams scoring at least one TD has drawn 6.1 percent of all player prop bets on Monday night’s game.
–Vikings WR Justin Jefferson 60+ Receiving Yards (-390 at DraftKings): This has been the most popular player prop at the book, and if Minnesota is going to advance to the Divisional Playoffs, Jefferson must be an integral part of the game plan. He was held to only 54 yards at Detroit, only the third time in 17 regular-season games that Jefferson produced less than 73 yards in a game this season.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Vikings and Rams were regular playoff foes in the 1970s. Minnesota dominated the rivalry then but lost all four of its Super Bowl appearances through the 1976 season and hasn’t been back since.
Minnesota holds a 5-2 advantage in playoff matchups between the franchises and is in search of its first playoff victory since the 2019 wild-card round.
THE NEWS
The Vikings flourished this season behind the play of Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold, who was fifth in the NFL in both passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35). He threw 12 interceptions and was sacked 48 times, tied for fourth most.
“It’s exciting to step into an environment like we’re going to step into Monday night,” said Darnold, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to win 14 regular-season games in his first season with a team. “(Everybody) is excited about it, but we know we have to put in the work to earn the excitement we’re going to feel.”
Jefferson was second in receiving yards with 1,533 and sixth in receptions with 103, while adding 10 touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones gained a career-high 1,138 yards with five touchdowns.
Darnold will be out to avenge a 30-20 defeat at Los Angeles on Oct. 24. That came just four days after a 31-29 loss to the Lions.
Minnesota recovered to win nine consecutive games before their 31-9 defeat in Week 18 at Detroit.
“My confidence level that we can get him back on track is as high as it could be,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said after Darnold threw for a season-low 166 yards against the Lions. “I know our coaches feel the same way, and I know, most importantly, his teammates feel the same way.”
The Rams recovered from a 1-4 start to win nine of their next 11 games and clinch the NFC West in Week 17. Coach Sean McVay rested most of his key personnel in Week 18, but a 30-25 loss to the Seahawks dropped Los Angeles to the No. 4 seed and a date with the Vikings instead of the Washington Commanders.
The Rams not only worked their way through early-season injuries to wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, but the offensive line was in scramble mode through the first month.
The offense recovered behind veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He was sacked 28 times.
“It’s full focus, 100 percent on the Vikings and the challenges that they present, but we’re also human beings and care for the people of our community,” Stafford said. “Hopefully it’s a great escape for people that have been going through tough times.”
Nacua led the Rams in receptions (79) and receiving yards (990), and scored three touchdowns, while Kupp had 67 receptions for 710 yards and six scores. Kupp had just four catches, 54 yards and no touchdowns over his final three games. Kyren Williams rushed for 1,299 yards and 14 scores.
Without future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a young Rams defensive line blossomed with second-year players Byron Young and Kobie Turner, alongside rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.
But the Los Angeles offense struggled immediately after a 44-42 home victory over the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 8. The offense averaged just 14.7 points over the next three games, but all were victories led by the defense.
“Let’s get a good, tight plan together,” McVay said. “Let’s make sure that we have answers, but ultimately a clarity for our players first and foremost and then the ability for them to go cut it loose.”
INJURY REPORT
While Darnold was listed on the injury report with an ailing quad, he was a full participant in practice throughout the week and is expected to play. Linebacker Patrick Jones II (knee) was ruled out for the game on Sunday, while Aaron Jones (quad) practiced in full on Saturday.
Fellow running back Cam Akers (illness) and defensive lineman Taki Taimani (ankle) are both listed as questionable.
Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (shoulder) missed the final two regular-season games but is expected to play. Rookie running back Blake Corum (forearm) is done for the season.
PREDICTION
The Rams earned a 30-20 win over the Vikings in Los Angeles back in October with Stafford throwing four touchdowns. Minnesota’s only other losses during the regular season both game against Detroit, so this is a matchup that has to concern the Vikings — especially after kicking off 2025 with a 31-9 drubbing at the hands of the Lions. The move to Arizona — combined with the Rams’ emotionally taxing week — gives Minnesota an important edge.
–Vikings 27, Rams 26
