The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams will kick off in a major NFC clash, and there's a lot on the line for both teams.
The Vikings come in as slight favorites for the moneyline, but the Rams have shown they can hang with anyone at any time. So, if you’re going to bet on the game, this is a great opportunity to make some smart bets.
To make this matchup even more exciting, we’ve got some of the best player prop bets to keep an eye on. We think you’re going to like what we’ve cooked up for Thursday Night Football.
Odds: -115
Justin Jefferson is always a safe bet when it comes to finding the end zone — anytime.
He’s been on a tear lately, scoring a touchdown in six of the Vikings’ last seven games. His consistency makes him one of the top receivers in the league, and with Sam Darnold back under center, Jefferson’s red-zone usage is only going to go up.
To take this a step further, the Rams’ defense has struggled against top receivers, ranking 18th in passing yards allowed. We expect Jefferson to capitalize on mismatches and get at least one score, if not more.
Given his ability to make big plays down the field and in the red zone, the -115 odds for him to score anytime is not a bad value.
Odds: -110
Kyren Williams has become a focal point of the Rams’ offense as of late.
He’s scored a touchdown in each of his last nine regular-season games and continues to be fed the ball regularly and at the most opportune times.
Sure, the Vikings have a top-tier run defense, ranked 2nd in the league, but Williams’ sheer volume makes him a good candidate to exceed his rushing yards prop.
Look at it like this. Williams is coming off multiple 100-yard performances and with the Vikings giving up 80 rushing yards per game on average, Williams should be able to at least break the 74.5-yard mark.
He’s the Rams' best chance to control the clock, and he’s proven to be an effective runner, making this Over worth a look.
Odds: -110
Aaron Jones is a dynamic player when healthy. Whether on the ground or in the air, he’s a consistent target. However, his hamstring injury has caused him to miss quite a bit of time this season.
Even though he’s listed as limited in practice and could suit up, the concern here is his usage. The Rams' defense isn’t great against the run, ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per game, but Jones’ health puts his workload in question. There’s a better chance that Ty Chandler takes the majority of the rushes.
Considering the injury risk and the likelihood that the Vikings lean more on their passing game with Sam Darnold, Jones may not see enough touches to get to 68 yards. The Under 67.5 rushing yards feel like the smarter play for us.
Odds: +120
Sam Darnold has been a pleasant surprise this season and we don’t think any Vikings fans will argue that.
He’s quietly put together some solid performances, and he’s thrown at least two touchdowns in four of his six games. The Rams' defense ranks 25th in points allowed and has been especially vulnerable to the pass. Do you see where this is going?
The Vikings' offense is more efficient when Darnold is slinging the ball around, and with weapons like Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, expect him to air it out. At +120 odds, the Over on 1.5 passing touchdowns is a sneaky value bet, especially in a game where Minnesota will need points to keep up with Los Angeles.
Odds: -155
T.J. Hockenson has become a reliable target for Sam Darnold, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
He’s averaging 7.5 targets per game and is one of the league’s most trusted tight ends. The Rams' defense has shown they struggle against TEs all season, therefore we think Hockenson should find plenty of space over the middle.
With the Rams focusing their coverage on Justin Jefferson, Hockenson should be the next-up of easy completions. Taking the Over 5.5 receptions feels like a pretty safe bet here, especially with Darnold looking to move the chains efficiently in this game.
This Vikings vs Rams game has all the makings of a high-energy showdown. With electric games like this, we absolutely love loading up our bet slip and these five player props give us some of the best betting angles.
With Jefferson continuing his scoring ways, Williams grinding out yards, and Darnold likely to toss multiple touchdowns, there’s plenty of action to look forward to.