One man's prediction: Vikings 23, St. Louis 21 The Vikings might be 5-17 on the road since 2010. But the Rams haven't enjoyed a four-game winning streak since 2003, when their offense was propelled by Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Marc Bulger. Taking care of the ball will be key. But the Vikings, precariously perched at 7-6, will keep their playoff hopes alive.
Rush hour
For all the justifiable praise Adrian Peterson has received, it's Rams back Steven Jackson who's the NFL's active career rushing leader, just 71 yards shy of 10,000. As St. Louis fans keep track of that chase, Peterson has his eyes on a 2,000-yard season, with Rams coach Jeff Fisher believing he can get there. Fisher coached the last 2,000-yard rusher -- Chris Johnson in Tennessee in 2009. Of Peterson, Fisher said: "You're just not going to see anything like this. ... Finding a way to shut the run game down is virtually impossible."
Step forward
In Year 3, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has shown noticeable growth, particularly with his confidence in late-game situations. During last week's game-winning drive in Buffalo -- Bradford's third winning march this season -- he went 5-for-11 for 68 yards, including a final-minute 13-yard TD toss to Brandon Gibson plus a key two-point conversion pass to Chris Givens. Said Jackson: "He has a calm confidence to him. In the fourth quarter and big game situations, you really see his talent take over."
Building up
Two big takeaways highlighted the Vikings' sturdy defensive effort in last week's victory over Chicago. But they also held the Bears to seven third-down conversions in 17 attempts and allowed only two scores in 12 possessions. Said Jared Allen: "I was encouraged by the way we stayed on top of them. We never really got into a situation where we were reeling." Retaining that edge on the road in St. Louis will be key.
THE BIG NUMBER: 39 Sacks by the Rams this season, second only to Cincinnati (42) through Week 14. Fourteen St. Louis players have recorded at least one sack. Robert Quinn leads the team with 9 1/2.
BREAKOUT DAY? Cortland Finnegan, Rams: One of the marquee cornerbacks on the 2012 free agent market, Finnegan is now the veteran leader of a young St. Louis secondary. The former Tennessee Titan could give Christian Ponder problems.
MANO-A-MANO: MATCHUP TO WATCH
Vikings rookie kicker Blair Walsh vs. Rams rookie kicker Greg Zuerlein
