National Post (National Edition)
Rams’ roll might slow against Vikes
In what was generally a good week of football, minus those weighty roughing-the-passer calls, it was a bad week for yours truly. The quality of play vastly improved compared to the opening two weeks of the schedule. The prognostications were awful.
Time to rally and a good option is presented on Thursday with the best matchup of Week 4.
The Rams rank third in offence, sixth in defence. Their point differential of 102-36 is astounding. They can move the ball on the ground with Todd Gurley or through the air with Jared Goff, Brandin Cooks and Gurley. Their defence is staunch.
No weaknesses, right? Not exactly.
Take a look at their corners, where both starters are hobbled. Aqib Talib had surgery and Marcus Peters was helped off the field on Sunday. That means backups on the outside to cover the dangerous pair of Stefan Diggs and Adam Thielen.
“We can call the same calls with those guys. In fact, we did in the (last) ballgame,” defensive co-ordinator Wade Phillips said. “I feel confident in those guys.”
We’re not quite that confident.
Minnesota is a 6½-point underdog at the Rams. Give us the points.
Rams, 30-28
SAN FRANCISCO (+10 ½ ) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Niners losing Jimmy G is as big
CINCINNATI (+5 ½ )AT ATLANTA
Bungles no more, Cincinnati is better than people think.
Upset Special: Bengals, 27-23
KANSAS CITY (-5 ½) AT DENVER, MONDAY NIGHT
Too many points to lay for such a rivalry game in the Mile High City.
Chiefs, 24-20
BALTIMORE (+3) AT PITTSBURGH
NFL could put this bitter matchup on every Sunday night and it would be entertaining.
Steelers, 30-24
MIAMI (+6 ½ ) AT NEW ENGLAND
Lots of excitement in South Beach, dismay at North Station. Calm down. Patriots, 20-19
DETROIT (+3) AT DALLAS
Can Matt Patricia out-scheme dormant Cowboys as he did Patriots?
Cowboys, 17-16
PHILADELPHIA (-3 ½) AT TENNESSEE
Two banged-up first-place teams. Carson Wentz makes the difference.
Eagles, 21-15
TAMPA BAY (+3) AT CHICAGO
Toughest game to figure on this week’s schedule.
Bears, 24-23
BUFFALO (+10) AT GREEN BAY
Bills won’t catch injury-ravaged Packers napping as they did Vikings.
Packers, 27-20
NEW YORK JETS (+7) AT JACKSONVILLE
That loss in Cleveland could plague Jets for a while. Jaguars, 24-16
SEATTLE (-3) AT ARIZONA
Cardinals will win a game. Just not this week.
Seahawks, 20-13
HOUSTON (+1 ½ )AT INDIANAPOLIS
Texans will win a game. Just not this week.
Colts, 19-16
CLEVELAND (+2 ½ )AT OAKLAND
Raiders will win a game. Yes, this week.
Raiders, 22-20
NEW ORLEANS (-3) AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Saints march through Meadowlands.
Saints, 30-20
2018 RECORD
Last Week: Against spread (6-9). Straight up (9-7)
Season Totals: Against spread (23-22-1). Straight up: (27-19-2)
Best Bet: 2-1 against spread, 3-0 straight up
Upset special: 1-2 against spread, 0-2-1 straight up