NFL Wild Card Playoffs
L.A. Rams +120 over Minnesota

Pinnacle +117 BET365 +120  Sportsinteraction +120  888Sport +120

Posted at 11:00 AM ET. Odds are subject to change.

NFL Super Wild Card Weekend

Los Angeles +120 over Minnesota

State Farm Stadium – Glendale, AZ

8:15 PM ET. The Wild-Card round’s Monday night game brings us an unexpected twist as the matchup between the Rams and Vikings has been moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to severe wildfires near Los Angeles. While the change of venue may seem to be a disadvantage to the Rams, it may just provide them with enough breathing room to bring their best effort despite all that is going on back at home in SoCal. The Rams lose home-field advantage, but they also avoid many of the potential distractions caused by the crisis unfolding in their community. Playing in Glendale offers a clean slate for a team accustomed to adversity, having clawed their way into the playoffs after a 1-4 start.

The Rams come into this game as the NFC West champions, riding a 9-2 finish to the season after a rough 1-4 start. Sean McVay has this team playing its best football at the right time, and while they rested starters in Week 18, their depth kept things competitive against Seattle.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are forced into an extended travel schedule with the game now further from their home base. The psychological impact of playing a “neutral” playoff game, rather than being the road team in a hostile environment, can be a double-edged sword. The Vikings have already shown cracks in high-pressure scenarios, as evidenced by their meltdown in Detroit last week. Sam Darnold, making his playoff debut, now faces additional variables that could exacerbate the spotlight's pressure.

Darnold's numbers this season look great on the surface, but they came with significant caveats. He threw 12 picks, was sacked 48 times, and often crumbled under pressure. The Vikings’ red-zone struggles against Detroit last week weren’t an anomaly, either. They’ve been mediocre in finishing drives all season, and Darnold’s 34% off-target rate last week is a glaring red flag.

To close, the Rams are battle-tested, well-coached, and playing with house money. The Vikings, on the other hand, are reeling after a demoralizing loss and are led by a quarterback who has never been on this stage. Take the points if you like, but we’re going to play the Rams to win this game outright.

Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer! 

For straight bets, if the team you back to win goes 17 Points ahead at any stage during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full regardless of whether the opposition comes back to win the game.

For parlays and Same Game Parlays, if a team you have backed goes 17 Points ahead, this selection will be marked as won within My Bets, with the remaining selections left to run.

Here is a wager we were paid out early on that would eventually lose. 

Sharkies

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



Our Pick

L.A. Rams +120 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.40)