Vikings VS Rams Predictions

[Just Me]

23-21 Vikings

Peterson rushes for 140 yards. Ponder throws for 92 yards. Defense comes up with a pick 6.

Normally I'd say it's a road game so we have little chance, but the Vikes are playing indoors on artificial turf. That'll help. We win a squeaker to go to 8-6...

[BigRamFan]

who knows with the Rams one week they beat SF and the next they lose to a bad team ...

my guy is telling me we win this game...

24 17 Vikings

Your "guy" lies.

[MDviking]

I get that you're Viking fans but I think you may be taking our run D a little lightly. I agree our rush defense numbers are a bit skewed but not in the direction you're stating.

In 12 games this year the Rams have played against top 10 rushing offenses 7 times. Yes, AZ was 2 of the other games but the anomaly in the rush D stats is that M. Brockers missed the first 3 games and was not 100% in the 4th one due to a high ankle sprain suffered in the final preseason game.

After taking a few weeks to get his feel for the NFL game he has come on strong in the last 3 - 4 weeks. Last week, this D held Spiller and F. Jackson to 61 yards. The week before they held F. Gore to 51. My point is, this rush D is getting better, not piling up stats against weak teams.

I know that AP is an elite RB and I'm sure he'll get his yards, but the prediction I read of 170 is a bit wishful, IMO. Good luck on Sunday. I hope your team loses (obviously) but I also hope for no injuries on either side.

Go Rams!

Ok, well let's go the other way and see how AD has fared against run defenses that are statistically better than the Rams at this point:

Tampa Bay, ranked 1st: 15 carries, 123 yards, 8.2ypc.
San Francisco, ranked 2nd: 25 carries, 86 yards, 3.4ypc.
Washington, ranked 7th: 17 carries, 79 yards, 4.6ypc.
Seattle, ranked 10th: 17 carries, 182 yards, 10.7ypc.
Chicago, ranked 11th: 18 carries, 108 yards, 6.0ypc.
Chicago, ranked 11th: 31 carries, 154 yards, 5.0ypc.

The only game in which he didn't fare so well was against San Francisco, but that was in week three when he was still knocking the rust off. You talk about your rush D getting better, but Peterson is on an otherworldly tear right now, going for 1101 yards in the last 7 games. That's an average of 157 yards a game. So while predicting 170 yards might be wishful thinking in most situations, in this case it does carry some weight.

We'll see on Sunday.

[BigRamFan]

Ok, well let's go the other way and see how AD has fared against run defenses that are statistically better than the Rams at this point:

Tampa Bay, ranked 1st: 15 carries, 123 yards, 8.2ypc.
San Francisco, ranked 2nd: 25 carries, 86 yards, 3.4ypc.
Washington, ranked 7th: 17 carries, 79 yards, 4.6ypc.
Seattle, ranked 10th: 17 carries, 182 yards, 10.7ypc.
Chicago, ranked 11th: 18 carries, 108 yards, 6.0ypc.
Chicago, ranked 11th: 31 carries, 154 yards, 5.0ypc.

The only game in which he didn't fare so well was against San Francisco, but that was in week three when he was still knocking the rust off. You talk about your rush D getting better, but Peterson is on an otherworldly tear right now, going for 1101 yards in the last 7 games. That's an average of 157 yards a game. So while predicting 170 yards might be wishful thinking in most situations, in this case it does carry some weight.

We'll see on Sunday.

Valid points, and I will admit that I have not watched a complete Viking game this year, as I suspect is the case with you and my Rams. Although I would not say that the 17 carries for 79 yds. against the skins is noteworthy. I also tend to believe that his last 7 games works to his disadvantage; law of averages and all that, as does (IMO) his statement that "...Dickerson should be nervous". Sunday should be a good test for both parties.

So, Sunday it is! And in the event that you are correct I will return on Monday with my congratulations...I just expect to be celebrating a Ram victory on that day and not have time to trouble you good people in Viking land.

[mansquatch]

The problem for the Rams is what are they going to do that the Vike’s haven’t already seen? Every game the Vikings play they face a team that knows they can sell out to stop AP because we have about the worst passing offense in the league. It just hasn’t mattered, AP still gets his yards. It could change this week, but there is really no reason to expect him to slow down.

[MDviking]

Although I would not say that the 17 carries for 79 yds. against the skins is noteworthy.

I just put those numbers up to show what he's done against top 11 rush defenses. It just so happens that all the other efforts were noteworthy. And you can tell we're talking about a special back when 4.64 ypc is pedestrian. As for what I'm guessing is your idea of cockiness or hubris on the part of Peterson, you really couldn't find a more humble guy in the NFL. He sets goals high and intends to achieve them.

You're right, I haven't been able to see much of the Rams this year. It seems like both of these teams have had some dramatic highs and lows throughout the season. Regardless, it should be a great game. Hopefully the Vikes can exorcise some of their road demons. And it may be asking too much, but maybe Ponder can throw for over 100 yards this game.

[headless_norseman]

No question what he has accomplished from a medical standpoint is remarkable, and I truly understand your point about stacked boxes from watching SJ39 the past several years, but I would be shocked if AP continues at his recent pace this weekend.

Our front 7 have really come into their own the last few weeks in Fisher's defense and our DBs tackle well. Either way, I expect a competitive game. I like our chances at home but we sure have a knack for keeping it interesting until the very end.

Pretty much agreed, and hence the +1 Viking spread for the game.

[headless_norseman]

Would be nice to see both teams wear their throwback uni's . Then again, I still have flashbacks of Kramer having convulsions on the ground.

That was the first catastrophic injury I saw on TV. I was furious as a kid, and that's when they didn't run to commercials right away after every injury.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Why is it so many people here think we can beat a team, also playing for a playoff spot, on the road? Pure purple shades? Man, I would like to meet some of you in a poker game.

[Orion]

Either way, one team's playoff hopes will be destroyed and the other's gets stronger. Could be a very close game, with lead changes and going right down to the final seconds.

[Delaqure]

It's in St Louis.

VIKES 20
RAMS 24

[S197]

Vikings - 17
Rams - 17

Two in one season for the Rams!

[Dark]

Vikings - 17
Rams - 17

Two in one season for the Rams!

That could actually happen. These are two teams fighting for a spot at the playoffs. Very evenly matched. If this game was at home I would say Vikes win, but since it's away, it will be very close. That being said, the game will still be played in a dome on turf, so I think it will be even closer. I think this will be a very interesting and fun game to watch, even more so because it is a crucial game for both teams.

[J. Kapp 11]

Why is it so many people here think we can beat a team, also playing for a playoff spot, on the road? Pure purple shades? Man, I would like to meet some of you in a poker game.

Oh, I don't know. Because the 6-6-1 Rams aren't that good? Because their offense is even more horrific than ours? Because they haven't fared well against strong running teams?

This is a thread where people give their opinions. Forgive us if we don't all agree with you.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Oh, I don't know. Because the 6-6-1 Rams aren't that good? Because their offense is even more horrific than ours? Because they haven't fared well against strong running teams?

This is a thread where people give their opinions. Forgive us if we don't all agree with you.

They are 13th against the run. How many games has Fraizer run teams won on the road? I think it would be nice to see a thread where people thought things out then made their predictions, other then AD will run for 350 yards, and the D will score 3 times. The 6-6 Vikes aernt that goos either and we just beat the Bears at home.