When: Noon Sunday, U.S. Bank Stadium
TV (radio): Ch. 9 (100.3-FM)
Line: Rams by 3½
Even though the Vikings are better rested than the Rams (who played Tuesday night), they will have their work cut out against a talented defense and explosive offense. Their job gets even tougher with Dalvin Cook on the COVID-19 list while Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen try to play through injuries. It might be a little too much to ask for the Vikings to take this one.
THREE STORY LINES
Vikings return home in control of playoff destiny
Since the Eagles beat Washington on Tuesday night, the Vikings are still in the No. 7 spot in the NFC, thanks to their tiebreaker advantage with Philadelphia and New Orleans. It means they can claim a wild-card spot without any help from other teams, if they win their final three games. The Vikings, though, have a tougher schedule in those three games than do the Eagles or Saints, with games remaining against the 10-4 Rams and 11-3 Packers.
Offense tries to recover with Cook out
The Vikings managed only 193 yards against a depleted Bears defense on Monday; they'll likely need to be better against the Rams, but they'll have to play without Cook, who went on the COVID-19 reserve list just before practice Thursday morning. Cousins will play with a cracked rib while Thielen tries to return from a high ankle sprain; the Vikings will also have to find ways to get the ball to Justin Jefferson even with Jalen Ramsey likely shadowing him.
Stafford is familiar foe in new uniform
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford went 5-3 in his first eight starts against Mike Zimmer-coached Vikings teams, before the Lions hired Matt Patricia and the Vikings won their next six against Detroit. Now in Los Angeles, Stafford is throwing to Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham, who offer a stronger set of weapons than Stafford had after Calvin Johnson retired in Detroit. Stafford won't have his usual left tackle, as 40-year-old Andrew Whitworth was put on the COVID list Saturday. backup Joe Noteboom also was on the list, so the Rams might have to turn to Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
TWO KEY MATCHUPS
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson vs. Rams CB Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey seems likely to shadow Jefferson; the wide receiver said Thursday he's had the matchup circled on his calendar for quite a while. While Jefferson doesn't have to prepare for multiple cornerbacks, he said he will need a variety of releases to win four quarters' worth of plays against Ramsey, one of the best cover corners in the NFL. They have never met, Jefferson said; they will get a chance to battle for most of the day Sunday.
