St. Louis Rams (4-3) at Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Thom Brenneman, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa
*Keys to the game: Minnesota is one of the NFL’s best tackling teams. That boast is put to the test against Rams RB Todd Gurley, who has multiple speeds and will plow through tackles.
No defense has been able to take away Gurley entirely. He’s the first option offensively rushing for 125-plus yards in four consecutive games, and QB Nick Foles is tasked with taking care of the ball from there. This week that boils down to not challenging S Harrison Smith, and finding opportunities to attack veteran CB Terence Newman.
Minnesota’s offensive line is far from a strength, but might get a break with DEs Robert Quinn and Chris Long hurting. Neither practiced midweek. The Rams’ potent pack of pass rushers has been vulnerable against power-running teams and RB Adrian Peterson got downhill early and often at Chicago in Week 8, going for 103 yards. When Peterson clicks, QB Teddy Bridgewater tends to settle in and trust his outside receivers to turn high-percentage throws into healthy gains.
The Vikings have better athletes than receivers outside and a stern test awaits with the Rams bringing press coverage and a zippy speed rush that shrinks Bridgewater’s safe window to throw.
*Matchup to watch – Vikings LT Matt Kalil and LG Brandon Fusco vs. Rams DE Robert Quinn and DT Aaron Donald: Kalil, whose knees are healthy this season, and Fusco, who switched from right guard before this season, have improved Bridgewater’s blind-side protection. But Sunday’s game will be their stiffest challenge of the season. Quinn leads the Rams with five sacks and is expected to play through a sore knee. Donald is second with 4.5. Since the start of last season, they have 29 combined sacks, tied for second-most by an end-tackle tandem in the league.
*Player spotlight – Vikings NT Linval Joseph: Joseph was the first outside piece that coach Mike Zimmer reached for when he was hired last year. The big, stout nose tackle has transitioned well into Zimmer’s scheme and sets the tone for the Vikings’ run defense, which has been better the past three games, but is still at risk of inconsistency.
*Fast facts: The Rams lead the NFC with 26 sacks. … The Vikings have 11 special teams touchdowns since hiring Mike Priefer as coordinator in 2011.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Todd Gurley and Adrian Peterson thrive but Minnesota’s defense comes up with the key plays late in the game to push the Vikings to a four-game winning streak.
*Our pick: Vikings 23-17.