GLENDALE, Ariz. – NFC contenders clash as the fifth-seeded Minnesota Vikings face the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Rams in an NFL Wild Card game today – Monday, Jan. 13 – at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This game is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.
The matchup was originally scheduled to be hosted by the Rams at SoFi Stadium, but the wildfires in Los Angeles have moved the showdown to Arizona. It marks only the second time in NFL history a playoff game has been moved.
This matchup will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific). Fans who have cut the cord on cable can catch the game on ABC and ESPN at no cost by utilizing a free trial from DirecTV Stream or Fubo, which both offer free trials. Sling has promotional offers for new customers.
This NFC Wild Card game is also streaming on ESPN Plus. You can get a subscription to ESPN Plus for $11.99 per month. Another option is to sign up for an annual subscription for $119.99, which saves about 17% off compared to the monthly route.
The Vikings (14-3) were shut down by the Lions in a colossal clash for the NFC’s top seed, while the Rams (10-5) lost to the Seahawks to cap their regular season campaign.
Check out a complete rundown of this week’s NFL playoffs matchups, including the schedule, predictions, previews, TV information and more.
VIKINGS – RAMS Matchup Preview
Minnesota’s promising season has turned into an unwanted history as they settled for the fifth seed and second-place in the NFC North, despite only losing three games, which included two to Detroit and once to the Rams.
They became the first team in NFL history to win 14 games, lose their division and have to play a road game in the Wild Card.
Before their Week 18 showdown with the Lions, Minnesota had ripped off nine straight victories and was within reach of a first-round bye.
Minnesota is averaging 25.4 points per game, which ranks ninth in the NFL.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has been the engine for the Vikings’ sensational season. He has thrown for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Darnold is fifth in the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. He has tossed multiple passing touchdowns in 12 games this season.
A win would earn Darnold his first playoff victory in the NFL.
Minnesota’s passing offense is sixth in the NFL, averaging 237.8 yards per game.
Though he was stymied in the loss against the Lions, star receiver Justin Jefferson remains the go-to option for Minnesota. He has hauled in 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 14.9 yards per reception. His yardage total is the second-most in the NFL.
Jefferson nabbed eight receptions for 115 yards against the Rams in Week 8.
Jordan Addison is potent option with 63 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 13.9 yards per reception.
Minnesota’s run game has its moments. Aaron Jones has amassed 255 carries for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns. Cam Akers has 104 carries for 444 yards and two touchdowns.
Minnesota kicker Will Reichard missed multiple kicks last week and has struggled as of late. It could come down to a pressure-packed situation off his foot.
The Vikings love to blitz, but their opposition thrives in that situation, which lends for a tricky task. They lead the league in interceptions with 24. The unit also clocks in with 48 sacks, earning them fifth in the NFL.
Minnesota is allowing 19.5 points per game, which is fifth in the league. They are especially stingy against the run, stuffing the opposition for just 93.4 yards per game, the second-fewest yards in the NFL.
Byron Murphy Jr. leads a dangerous secondary with six interceptions, 14 pass deflections, one forced fumble and 62 solo tackles.
Linebacker Blake Cashman has garnered 68 solo tackles with 4.5 sacks.
Watch Vikings vs. Rams on DirecTV Stream for free
The Rams clinched the NFC West and rested their starters for the final regular season game. They had won five straight heading into that matchup. Los Angeles handed the Vikings one of their three losses in the Week 8 tilt, downing Minnesota, 30-20.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has compiled 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Stafford tossed two or more passing touchdowns in four of his last seven games.
The Rams tout the 10th-best passing attack in the NFL. That is the only major statistical category where they crack the top 10.
As mentioned, Los Angeles’ ability to capitalize on the blitz is a gamechanger. Stafford went 13 of 15 against the blitz in the first meeting, averaging 9.9 yards per reception.
Los Angeles’ jet fuel in the passing game looks frightening on paper. But they have struggled to live up to the expectations this season.
Cooper Kupp has 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 10. 6 yards per reception. Puka Nacua has hauled in 79 receptions for 990 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards per reception. Both have missed a handful of games.
Receiver DeMarcus Robinson is a wild card. He had two touchdowns in the first meeting, and two the following week, but has only scored two more in the last nine weeks.
Robinson has tallied 31 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 16.3 yards per reception.
Nacua returned from IR and made a surprise appearance in the first meeting, tallying 106 yards. It was clear the Vikings’ defense was not prepared for him in that matchup.
Kyren Williams has proven himself to be a stout option at running back. He has tallied 316 carries for 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns, which is tied for the fifth-most in the NFL.
Rookie running back Blake Corum has been a steady second option, but he was recently placed on injured reserve. Corum tallied 58 carries for 207 yards this season.
Minnesota’s kicker might be on the decline, but Los Angeles rookie kicker Joshua Karty is settling in nicely. His first playoff game will test his resolve on the biggest stage of his career.
Of the 14 playoff teams entering the field, the Rams ranked lowest in scoring offense. They were also 27th in the league in penalties.
The defense is a hungry alternative to an underperforming offense with 13 total interceptions and a knack for the quarterback.
Safety Jaylen McCullough has four interceptions, four pass deflections and 26 solo tackles. Rookie linebacker, and Defensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner, Jared Verse has dazzled with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 36 solo tackles.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom has amassed 69 solo tackles with one interception and one sack.
It’s the 49th time the two teams have met and the eight time they have faced each other in the playoffs, which is tied for the most occurring playoff matchup in NFL history.
The winner will travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 3 p.m.
Watch Vikings vs. Rams for free on FuboTV
VIKINGS – RAMS Last Game Recap
Minnesota Vikings: Lost 31-9 against the Detroit Lions on Jan. 5
Los Angeles Rams: Lost 30-25 against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 5
VIKINGS – RAMS Players to Watch
Minnesota Vikings: QB Sam Darnold, WR Justin Jefferson, WR Jordan Addison, TE TJ Hockenson, K Will Reichard
Los Angeles Rams: QB Matt Stafford, RB Kyren Williams, WR Cooper Kupp, WR Puka Nacua, LB Jared Verse
VIKINGS – RAMS Injuries of Note
Backup running back Cam Akers is questionable heading into the matchup for the Vikings. The Rams lost backup running back Blake Corum earlier this week. Otherwise, both teams are relatively healthy.
Minnesota Vikings: LB Pat Jones II (knee) is out.
RB Cam Akers (illness) is questionable.
QB J.J. McCarthy (knee) is on injured reserve.
Los Angeles Rams: RB Black Corum (forearm) and LB Nick Hampton (pectoral) are both on injured reserve.
Who is announcing Vikings vs. Rams?
Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (analyst) will be the announcers while Lisa Salters reports from the sidelines.
What are the latest odds for Vikings vs. Rams?
Spread: MIN: (-2.5), LA: (+2.5)
Moneyline: MIN: (-142), LA: (+120)
Point total: 47.5
Odds from DraftKings
How to Watch VIKINGS – RAMS
- Who: Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams
- When: Monday Jan. 13, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. Pacific)
- Where: State Farm Stadium | Glendale, Ariz.
- Channel: ABC, ESPN
- Best Streaming Options: Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling (promotional offers) and ESPN Plus
Channel finder if you have cable
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About Sling
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About ESPN+
ESPN+, which offers a monthly plan for $11.99 or an annual plan for $119.99, is the go-to streaming service for sports. Watch NFL, college football, baseball, soccer, tennis, and more with this simple subscription.
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