On the heels of a strong preseason campaign, the Minnesota Vikings will be pushing for a strong start to their 2014 NFL regular season when they head to St. Louis for their opener. For a broader take on how these two teams will fare in the NFL, check out our 2014-2015 NFL season win total predictions.
You can also check out our NFL odds update for five teams to watch in the coming season. While you’re at it, read on for our take on the Minnesota Vikings’ and St. Louis Rams’ opening game.
[sc:Football ]Minnesota Vikings vs. St. Louis Rams Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis
When: Sunday, September 7, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings will be giving QB Matt Cassel the starting position this year after he put up strong performances last season. Despite starting in just six games in 2013, Cassel led the team in passing yards, completing 60.2 percent of pass attempts for 1,807 yards and 11 TDs.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Cassel’s preseason performance points to an in-form QB ready to take on his role as a starter. He completed 26 of 39 passes for 367 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in limited preseason appearances, including a 53-yard TD strike to wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the opening quarter of their Week 3 preseason game.
Solid play from Cassel would do wonders for Minnesota’s struggling WR Greg Jennings, who only finished with 68 receptions for 804 yards and four TDs last season while the quarterback carousel rolled in front of him.
However, should Jennings continue struggling, then current number two WR Patterson could build on a solid preseason performance to eventually take over the No. 1 spot. The second-year wide receiver caught eight passes for 118 yards (averaging 14.75 per reception) and a touchdown on 12 targets in the preseason.
As always, the Vikings’ offense will center around running back Adrian Peterson. Last year, All Day finished fifth in the NFL with 1,266 rushing yards on 279 carries and 10 TDs. He didn’t play in the preseason, but a player of his caliber doesn’t need tune up games to help him get in form.
In a road game against the already banged-up St. Louis Rams, the Vikings will need to score fast and take advantage of the momentum to record a win to break their winless streak of 0-7-1 from last season.
The total has gone over in 10 of Minnesota’s 13 games as underdogs in 2013.
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Betting on the St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are in a tough spot. The Rams will be missing Sam Bradford for the entire 2014 season after he tore his left ACL (the same injury that cut short his 2013 campaign) in their preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on August 23.
Aside from Bradford’s ACL tear, four other Rams starters are on the disabled list. Defensive tackles Kendall Langford and Michael Brockers and offensive guard Rodger Saffold sustained ankle injuries. Meanwhile, cornerback Trumaine Johnson suffered a sprained MCL, and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks after the injury.
Bradford’s injury is a worst-case scenario for the Rams, both in its severity and timing. The Rams went all-in on their expensive play-caller ahead of the season, and going down after training camp but before throwing even one meaningful pass means his team barely has time to update their depth chart before the new campaign starts.
In Bradford’s stead, the Rams will give the starting role to a 13-year veteran with limited arm strength, Shaun Hill. Hill last started a regular season game four years ago with the Detroit Lions, finishing with a 61.8 percent completion rate for 2,686 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games, and didn’t throw a pass last year.
Catching Hill’s passes will be receiver Brian Quick. Quick impressed in the preseason, navigating routes well and catching passes. He finished with five receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.
Meanwhile, RB Zac Stacy will be there for handoffs in case/ when Hill is unable to throw well. Stacy has a proven track record in the red zone with six TDs from inside the five-yard line last season. Presumably, the offense will lean heavily on Stacy to help them get Hill caught up in the first-team offense.
The total has gone over in 10 of the Ram’s 13 inter-division games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Minnesota Vikings exploit the Rams’ banged-up squad and win big.
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