2014 NFL Vikings vs. Rams Week 1 Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
ST. LOUIS, MO (The Spread) - Will the Rams cover as a home favorite today versus the Vikings in their first game with Shaun Hill under center? Kickoff is set for 1:00PM ET.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Rams are 4-point home favorites over the visiting Vikings, while the total is currently sitting at 42.5 points. St. Louis opened as 6-point home favorites before the line was bet down, while the total opened at 46 before being bet down.
The Vikings selected Teddy Bridgewater in the first round of May's draft but Matt Cassel remains the starter for the time being. Regardless of who is under center, the focus of the offense remains bruising running back Adrian Peterson, although second-year wideout Cordarrelle Patterson gives Minnesota another playmaker on that side of the ball. The defense should get a boost from first-year head coach Mike Zimmer, who had solid defenses as a coordinator in Cincinnati.
The Rams already suffered their first significant injury as starting quarterback Sam Bradford re-tore his ACL and will be lost for the season. In steps Shaun Hill, a journeyman who will be counted on to manage games. The good news for St. Louis is that the team’s front four is one of the best in football, led by defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long. If players like Zac Stacy, Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Jared Cook and Brain Quick exceed expectations, then the Rams should hang around in the NFC West. That said, the offensive line and secondary have major durability concerns and Hill is somewhat limited as a passer.
NFL FREE PICK: Take Minnesota. According to latest NFL trends, the Vikings are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games versus NFC opponents, 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven games on turf, and 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall. The Rams, meanwhile, are a horrendous 18-41-2 against the spread in their last 61 games in September and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games in Week 1. Look for the offensive line, which hasn’t had time to gel yet due to injuries, to hold the Rams back today.
2014 NFL WEEK 1 FREE PICK: MINNESOTA VIKINGS +4