Rams vs. Vikings where to watch: NFL kickoff time, live stream, odds, spread, prediction for NFC duel

The Los Angeles Rams host the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night for a showdown between Sean McVay and his former offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. However, only one coach appears to have a playoff-caliber roster: O’Connell’s Vikings are looking to stay in contention for the NFC North title at 5-1, and McVay’s Rams are just trying to get there approaching the .500 mark.

Los Angeles is coming off an ugly win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but Matthew Stafford and Co. could get some extra help as wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are both on the mend. Minnesota, meanwhile, fell short in a shootout against rival Detroit Lions on Sunday, but pulled off a pleasant surprise among NFC contenders thanks to a resurgent Sam Darnold and Brian Flores’ resolute defense.

Now the two teams meet in prime time to kick off Week 8. How can you tune in? Which players could be X-factors? And who is actually prepared for victory? Here is our preview and sports betting prediction:

Where to watch Rams vs. Vikings

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 24 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
• Electricity: Prime Video
• Consequences: CBS Sports App
• Opportunities: Vikings -2.5 | O/U 47.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)

Important encounters

• Rams RB Kyren Williams vs. Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr.: Los Angeles struggled to find consistency in all areas of the offense, but Williams remained a tough headliner in the Rams’ backfield. Minnesota, meanwhile, will be without center back Blake Cashman for the second straight game, putting more pressure on the energetic pace at the center of Flores’ attack.
• Vikings WR Justin Jefferson vs. Rams CB Cobie Durant: We still don’t talk enough about how dominant Jefferson was in his return from a lingering injury in 2023. He’s easily on track for his fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign. He will face Durant in this game, just days after Durant earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his ball-hawking against the Raiders.
• Rams WR Cooper Kupp vs. Vikings CB Byron Murphy Jr.: Kupp, a favorite target of Stafford, will return to action for the first time since Week 2 while rumors continue about his availability through a potential deadline trade. Since he produces some of his best performances in that slot, he could find himself going one-on-one with Murphy, who has often manned the nickel spot in Flores’ veteran secondary.

Burning questions

• Rams: Will Matthew Stafford’s additions boost offense? Kupp is back, and so is his counterpart Puka Nacua. Sean McVay’s offense ranks 23rd in scoring, but a healthier receiving corps could go a long way toward making this club competitive again.
• Vikings: Can Sam Darnold control the ball? It’s an ever-relevant question about the veteran signal-caller, who was very composed in his Minnesota debut but also threw a pick in five of six games. LA has bulletproof security in young Jaylen McCollough who needs to be monitored.

forecast

It will be a big matchup for McVay as he faces his old mate at home, desperately needs a win to stay relevant in the NFC West, and potentially curbs growing interest from upper management in auctioning off expensive veterans. Certainly Kupp and Nacua should help Stafford feel more comfortable, and while the Vikings have a top-10 scoring defense, they have proven vulnerable to big plays through the air.

However, aside from a Darnold turnover fest reminiscent of the journeyman’s previous stints, the Vikings simply have a clear advantage in healthy talent across the board. Aaron Jones was able to return to full speed despite suffering a hip injury against the Lions, and even if his role is reduced for conservation reasons, Minnesota’s perimeter weapons in Jefferson and Jordan Addison should shine through.

Choose: Vikings 26, Rams 22

Bonus: RJ White, who has a 65-36-5 record in Vikings games, has released his best bets for Thursday night’s game. White is leaning towards the under total, but who does he use as cover? Find out right here at Sportsline.

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