What Minnesota Vikings Fans Need to Know Heading into Week 8 vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Minnesota Vikings saw their perfect start to the season come to an end in Week 7.
Luckily, the team didn’t get much of a chance to think about that loss as they turn around quickly on Thursday Night Football with a Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Here is what Vikings fans need to know heading into tomorrow night’s game.
How to Watch the Minnesota Vikings This Week
The Rams and Vikings kick off inside SoFi Stadium at 7:15 PM Central on Thursday, October 24. The game will be broadcast on FOX and can also be streamed via Amazon Prime as well as NFL+ in the NFL app.
Rams vs. Vikings History
The Rams and Vikings have met a total of 47 times in the histories of the two franchises, including seen matchups in the playoffs. Overall, the Vikings lead the all-time series with a record of 28-17-2 against the Rams.
However, the Rams have won each of the past two meetings against Minnesota, including a 30-23 win in the most recent game that happened in the 2021 season with Kevin O’Connell as the Rams’ offensive coordinator. Now, Minnesota’s head coach will try to turn the tides against his former team.
Vikings Spotlight Player: TE T.J. Hockenson
All eyes will be on T.J. Hockenson’s status over the next 24ish hours leading up to this game. The tight end has been limited in practice throughout the week as he hopes to return to the field for the first time since a brutal knee injury during Minnesota’s Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions in 2023.
Even without Hockenson, the Vikings have boasted one of the best offenses in the league on their way to a 5-1 record. Coming off a short week and then leading into a mini-bye during which they have nine days of rest between games seems like the perfect time to implement fresh legs into the offense against a feisty NFC opponent.
Rams Spotlight Player: OLB Jared Verse
With Aaron Donald officially deciding to hang up his cleats this offseason after a legendary career, the Rams needed to find their newest pass rusher to implement into the defense this offseason.
They seem to have done just that in rookie Jared Verse who has recorded 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble this season. Verse’s 27 pressures through six games ranks 12th among all edge rushers this season, per PFF, and nine of the 12 players in front of him have played seven games.
The Vikings’ offensive line with have their hands full with the rookie Florida State product, and they will need to find a way to contain him in order to make things easier for Sam Darnold in a tough road game.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.
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