Week 4 Rams vs Vikings NFL Odds & Free Pick

Things just fell apart for the defending NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings, who saw quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffer a dislocated knee and torn ACL during practice on Tuesday. The schedule still features the Los Angeles Rams coming to town on Thursday, though, so the Vikings have to pull together while also finding another option at quarterback to back up Shaun Hill. Let’s take a look at the NFL odds you should consider before betting on this game.

 Week 4 Rams vs Vikings NFL Odds & Free Pick

When: Thursday, September 1, 2016, 8:00pm ET Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis TV: FOX Radio: KFAN Sports Radio 100.3 FM Minneapolis / St. Paul Live Stream: NFL Game Pass NFL Odds: Minnesota (-2.5), O/U Total 35

Why should you put your money on Los Angeles?

When Bridgewater went down in practice on Tuesday, the Vikings did something you almost never see in the NFL — they stopped practice 25 minutes early. Of course, you don’t often see your quarterback being driven away in an ambulance, either. That is a scene that will be extremely difficult for the Vikings to put behind them in time for Thursday’s game. Given that Jared Goff looks to start the game with momentum for the Rams, Los Angeles could lead by a touchdown or two before the Vikings realize what happened to them.

Why should you bet on Minnesota?

If you take the Vikings here, you’re assuming that the team is going to put all its energy into the finale of the preseason, and that the Viking defense is going to rise up to the occasion against Goff and (if he plays in the game) tailback Todd Gurley. Week 4 is often a game when the starters rest and the reserves play for those last spots on the roster. Given that the Rams have a spirited backup in Goff who is looking forward to starting the game, while the Vikings are still in shell shock, though, this is a long shot.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

To be perfectly honest, given what just happened to Bridgewater, I would probably pick another game to go with, because they are so many locker room variables affecting the Vikings. If you really want to bet this game, remember that Shaun Hill would have played quarterback in this game anyway, but now he has the role of the presumptive starter and has to avoid injury. So I see a very cautious game plan from the Vikings — and a 20-14 Ram win.