Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Thursday 9/27/18
Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams Preview and Predictions 09-27-2018 in NFL
NFL Previews 25th September 2018 by Gracenote
Vikings vs. Rams Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/25/2018
The Los Angeles Rams' high-octane offense has been a constant this season, but the formidable defense could take a hit with the potential absences of two key cornerbacks. With Aqib Talib (ankle) and Marcus Peters (calf) likely sidelined, the Rams will aim to keep Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings in check on Thursday when they bid for their first 4-0 mark to begin a season since 2001.
"We don't know how long those guys will be out. It's temporary adversity," said Los Angeles coach Sean McVay, who is expected to lean on cornerbacks Nickell Robey-Coleman, Sam Shields and Troy Hill with Minnesota wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs coming to the Coliseum. The Rams, in turn, have several explosive weapons on their third-ranked offense (493.3 yards per game), with Jared Goff liberally feeding the trio of Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp to keep the opposition from focusing solely on multi-dimensional running back Todd Gurley. Goff's 941 passing yards rank fifth in the NFL, one spot behind Cousins (965) as the latter has found instant chemistry with Thielen. The 28-year-old wideout reeled in a career-high 14 receptions in Sunday's 27-6 upset loss to Buffalo to increase his total to 32, which is the third-most in league history through the first three games of the season.
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX, NFL Network. LINE: Rams -6.5. O/U: 49.5
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (1-1-1): Coach Mike Zimmer said on Tuesday that there is a "possibility" that second-year dual-threat Dalvin Cook (hamstring) will face the Rams' top-ranked scoring defense (12.0 points) and sixth-ranked defense overall (296.0 yards allowed). Fellow running back Latavius Murray has struggled to get untracked this season after a strong finish to 2017, mustering just one yard on two carries versus the Bills last week and 62 total on 17 attempts in 2018. While there's doubt involving Cook, Zimmer erased any lingering thoughts about the availability of star defensive end Everson Griffen -- who has been ruled out for the second straight game as he battles a serious mental-health related issue. "The only thing really that we're concerned about for Everson isn't anything to do with football, it's about him getting better," Zimmer told reporters Tuesday.
ABOUT THE RAMS (3-0): Gurley isn't a fan of Thursday Night Football -- "it's probably the dumbest thing ever," he said earlier this week -- but the star running back certainly enjoyed the last time he competed on that day. Gurley found the end zone on three occasions in the first half of Los Angeles' 41-39 triumph over San Francisco on Sept. 21, 2017. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year picked up where he left off by finding the end zone for the fifth time (four rushing, one receiving) this season in the Rams' 35-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Goff tossed three touchdown passes last week, with Woods grabbing two to go along with a career-high 10 catches for 104 yards.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Minnesota DE Danielle Hunter has collected one sack in each game to start the season.
2. Cooks ranks fifth in the NFL with 336 yards receiving, while Woods (222, 20th) is also ranked in the NFL's top 20.
3. Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph, who found the end zone last week, has four touchdowns in his last five road games.
PREDICTION: Rams 31, Vikings 20
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ATS Trends
Minnesota
Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 4.
Vikings are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Vikings are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games in September.
Vikings are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games following a straight up loss.
Vikings are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Vikings are 41-20 ATS in their last 61 games following a straight up loss of more than 14 points.
Vikings are 43-21 ATS in their last 64 games overall.
Vikings are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games on grass.
Vikings are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.
Vikings are 0-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
L.A. Rams
Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 4.
Rams are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Rams are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in September.
Rams are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Rams are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Rams are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
OU Trends
Minnesota
Over is 4-0 in Vikings last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Vikings last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 6-2 in Vikings last 8 road games.
Over is 5-2 in Vikings last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 15-6 in Vikings last 21 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Vikings last 7 games in Week 4.
Under is 10-4 in Vikings last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 11-5 in Vikings last 16 games in September.
L.A. Rams
Over is 5-1 in Rams last 6 games following a straight up win.
Over is 8-2 in Rams last 10 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 4-1 in Rams last 5 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Rams last 5 games following a ATS win.
Over is 4-1 in Rams last 5 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Under is 10-3 in Rams last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 6-2 in Rams last 8 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Rams last 7 games in September.
Head to Head
Vikings are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles.
Favorite is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
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Opening Line Report - Week 4
Joe Williams
After three weeks of NFL action, we have just three unbeaten teams remaining -- the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins. In addition to being unbeaten straight-up, they're also 3-0 against the spread (ATS). Will that trend continue this week? So far the bet has been the Chiefs and the 'over', going 3-0 ATS and over the total. If you're been smashing those parlays so far, congrats. They'll put each of those streaks to the test on Monday night in the Mile High City against the rival Denver Broncos.
In addition, Week 4 features the first of the byes, as the Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins get the first in-season rests.
Thursday, Sept. 27
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams (-6.5, 49)
It's amazing how much of a difference one week makes. The Vikings were on fire, laying the most points of the 2018 season against the Buffalo Bills (-17) in Week 3. It appeared we were on pace for a potential playoff preview featuring a pair of 3-0 SU teams. A funny thing happened, however, as the Bills remembered how to play professional football -- and no one retired this week.
The Rams are favored by nearly a touchdown, but they have issues in the secondary. CB Aqib Talib might need corrective surgery for a high-ankle sprain, and CB Marcus Peters (calf) is also dinged up. The line opened at 6 1/2 at most shops, with Treasure Island opening this game at -6 before getting in line with everyone else. Westgate Superbook and William Hill opened at -7, but are also at 6 1/2 as of Tuesday morning.
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NFL
Long Sheet
Week 4
Thursday, September 27
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MINNESOTA (1 - 1 - 1) at LA RAMS (3 - 0) - 9/27/2018, 8:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA RAMS is 187-232 ATS (-68.2 Units) in all games since 1992.
LA RAMS is 187-232 ATS (-68.2 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
LA RAMS is 87-121 ATS (-46.1 Units) in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points since 1992.
LA RAMS is 133-183 ATS (-68.3 Units) against conference opponents since 1992.
LA RAMS is 145-184 ATS (-57.4 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1992.
LA RAMS is 65-97 ATS (-41.7 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 1-0 against the spread versus LA RAMS over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 1-0 straight up against LA RAMS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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