The Vikings (7-2) are preparing to take on the Los Angeles Rams (7-2) at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Los Angeles is coming off a 33-7 victory against the Houston Texans at home. Minnesota has won five games in a row, and the Rams have won four consecutive games.
Let's see who the experts pick to win the matchup between Rams Head Coach Sean McVay and Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer.
What a great matchup we have here. Eagles atCowboyshas the Sunday night spotlight, butthisis the gem of Week 11. This will beJared Goff's stiffest test thus far this season—Sean McVay's, too. TheVikingsdefense was up and down on the road last weekagainst the Redskins, but should play faster at home. Can Goff recognize what he's seeing quicker? Time will be of the essence, especially ifLinval Joseph,Eric KendricksandAnthony BarrcontainTodd Gurley. Rams-Vikingsmight be a playoff preview—and, for that matter, a playoffreview. These two franchises faced off in the postseason [after the] 1969, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1988 and 1999 [seasons]. Only theCowboys* *have faced either of these organizations as much in the playoffs.
Vikings 22, Rams 17 — Elliot Harrison, NFL.com
*When: Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (Fox), U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis*
The matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings is definitely the game of the week. The real showdown, of course, will be between the explosive Rams offense and the smothering Vikings defense.
Now, one thing that jumps out at me in that showdown is this: As explosive as the Rams offense is, it really hasn't played many great defenses yet. The good ones it has played — like the Jaguars and Seahawks — have stopped Jared Goff and Co.
The L.A. defense, while capable of forcing turnovers and making plays, isn't this dominant defense that shuts down opposing offenses. It certainly isn't on the level of Minnesota's defense. That could be the difference in this game because the Vikings offense has been quite good this year.
By the way, all of this talk of benching Case Keenum for Teddy Bridgewater has to stop. Keenum is playing better than Bridgewater ever has, and it's been nearly two years since Bridgewater was in a game. I don't know what people expect the Vikings to accomplish with a quarterback switch, but there's no need for one.
Minnesota is at home, it has weapons on offense, and I still need to see Goff play a good defense and throw into tight windows before I'll fully believe in the Rams.
Vikings 30, Rams 24 — Chris Simms,**Bleacher Report**
*This is the game of the week. The Rams and Vikings are both 7-2, but the Rams are an offensive team, while the Vikings win with their defense. I think this will come down to which second-best unit on each team is better. Will it be the Rams defense or the Minnesota offense? I will go with Case Keenum and the Vikings offense. *
Vikings 24, Rams 20 — Pete Prisco,**CBS Sports**
I love the matchup here with Sean McVay's offense versus the Vikings' defense under Mike Zimmer. High-level coaching. But I'll go with McVay in this one to dial up some early scoring opportunities for quarterback Jared Goff beforeAaron Donald* *wrecks this thing up front to close out a road win for the Rams.
Rams — Matt Bowen,**ESPN*** *
Jared Goff takes on Case Keenum in a matchup of two quarterbacks who look great this year after looking terrible as teammates with the Rams last year. This game feels like a coin flip to me, but I'll take the home team.
Vikings 23, Rams 20 — Michael David Smith,**Pro Football Talk**
Game of the week. A rematch of some classic playoff contests, between a pair of teams that may be destined to meet again in the elimination round. Minnesota's defense is the difference-maker, especially at home.
Vikings 17, Rams 13 — Mike Florio,**Pro Football Talk**
FiveThirtyEight's 2015 NFL forecast uses an Elo-based model to calculate each team's chances of winning each week.
Pre-game win probabilities: Vikings 62 percent— FiveThirtyEight.com
6 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, CBS Sports
3 of 5 experts pick the Vikings, Sports Illustrated
6 of 11 experts pick the Vikings, ESPN
5 of 9 experts pick the Vikings, SB Nation
