The Viking Age
FanSided

TVA Predictions: Can Keenum keep the Vikings rolling against the Rams?

By Adam Patrick

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammate Case Keenum #7 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Latavius Murray #25 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammate Case Keenum #7 after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Case Keenum
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Case Keenum /

Spencer Suckow:

Vikings win 27-24

The Minnesota Vikings have gone up against plenty of explosive offenses this year, but statistically speaking, none have been as explosive as what they’ll face Sunday.

Quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley, and the Los Angeles Rams offense have done a complete 180 from last season to this one, and have been on fire through the first nine games this season.  Even when they get off to slow starts, like they did last week against Houston, they’re still capable of getting things together and putting up large chunks of points in short order.

While head coach Sean McVay gets a lot of credit for this turnaround, the offensive explosion in Los Angeles likely wouldn’t be possible without the vast improvements from the offensive line.  According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams are fifth in the NFL in pass blocking efficiency and have given up the second-fewest pressures in the league since Week 6.

Defensively, the Rams are coached by Wade Phillips, one of the greatest defensive minds of this generation.  Thanks in large part to the coaching of Phillips, the Rams have skyrocketed to to number one in Football Outsiders DVOA rankings.

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Ultimately, I really do see this game a toss-up that could go in either direction. Although the Rams’ offense against the Vikings’ defense is the headliner, I believe this game will actually come down to the opposite matchup. Los Angeles’ offense has been hot this whole season (save for the Seattle game), but Minnesota possesses a defense that’s capable of at least slowing them down.

Offensively for the Vikings, former Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has been on a hot streak himself of late as a play caller, and I expect Minnesota to utilize plenty of short passes and play action on Sunday to help neutralize Los Angeles’ pass rush.

Next: Keenum awarded for his Week 10 performance

If the Vikings do that, and Case Keenum continues to protect the ball, Minnesota should be able to head into their Thanksgiving showdown against the Detroit Lions with an 8-2 record.

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