NFL Free Pick: Rams vs Vikings
Scott Morris | November 18, 2017
Week 11 of the NFL regular season features a battle between division leaders when the Los Angeles Rams visit the Minnesota Vikings. The current line on top sportsbooks has Minnesota favored by 2.5 points with the over/under point total on 45.5.
Entering the game, Los Angeles on the season is 7-2 straight up and 6-3 against the spread. On the road, the Rams are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS. Minnesota on the season is 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS. At home, the Vikings are 4-1 SU and ATS.
Minnesota leads the NFC North by two games behind a five-game winning streak after beating Washington 38-30 last week. Vikings quarterback Case Keenum played last season for the Rams but has now started seven games this season for the Vikings.
Los Angeles leads the NFL in scoring with an average of 32.9 per game. The Rams have won four straight after beating Houston 33-7 in their last outing. Quarterback Jared Goff has thrown for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in each of his last two games setting a franchise record.
Los Angeles leads the NFC West by one game over Seattle. The Rams are a perfect 4-0 this season on the road, but have lost four straight games to Minnesota.
Rams running back Todd Gurley is leading the league in yards from scrimmage with 1.160 and his 754 yards rushing yards ranks him fourth. He also leads the NFL in touchdowns with 10, despite not scoring last week.
Defensively, the Rams are fist in takeaways with 19, third in scoring allowing just 18 points per game and fifth in quarterback sacks with 28.
Minnesota’s Keenum has played very well in place of starter Sam Bradford, with 1,774 yards passing, 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions.
Keenum’s go-to-guy is wide receiver Adam Thielen, who is third in the NFL in receiving yards with 793, including 166 last week.
Goff in four road games this season has thrown 10 touchdowns and no interceptions for the Rams.
Minnesota defensive end Everson Griffen is third in the league in sacks with 10, but did not practice much during the week because of a foot injury, but should play.
Los Angeles is 3-10-1 ATS in its last 14 games versus NFC opponents dating back to last season.
Minnesota is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games versus NFC opponents.
With this free pick, we like Los Angeles to cover.
