Cooper Kupp dominates in return and 2 other bold predictions

3 bold predictions for Rams-Vikings on TNF

There has been a worldwind of news coming from the Los Angeles Rams organization in the last 24 hours despite securing their second win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Those rumors could end up passing as quickly as they came in LA can secure the win against an over-achieving Minnesota Vikings team this Thursday. Here are three bold predictions that would surely make any Rams fan happy to see come to fruition.

Vintage Cooper Kupp scores 2 touchdowns and 100+ yards

Amidst all of the trade rumors going around about Cooper Kupp it only seems fitting to give him a spot on the list this week, especially since a win on Thursday could help keep him on the team for at least the end of the season.

Kupp will make his return from an high ankle sprain and could possibly be on a pitch count but I have a sneaky suspicion that won’t matter much in a must-win game for LA. Don’t get it twisted, when nine and dime are on the same field magical stuff happens. Matthew Stafford will be looking his way often after suffering through six games without a true number one receiver on the team. Kupp is a mastermind when it comes to route running and somehow always finds a way to get open even though the entire stadium knows where the ball is going.

The Vikings are coming off a hard loss against a physical Detroit Lions game that saw their “elite” defense give up 112 yards and a touchdown to Amon-Ra St. Brown this last Sunday. Detroit may have given the gameplan to the rest of the league on how to tackle Brian Flores defensive scheme and you can bet on Sean McVay taking everything he learned from the film and applying it on a short week.

My Prediction: Regardless of pitch count, I believe Kupp will have an even better game than St. Brown and finish the game with two touchdowns and over 100 yards.

It all comes together for the defensive line

LA’s defensive line currently ranks 18th in the league with 21.4% but rank 27th in the league in total sacks—something seems a little off there. While the young line has gotten plenty of pressures on opposing quarterbacks they have not done a great job at finishing the job, either missing the sack all together or just completely failing to wrap up their target. Things are bound to change as rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske gain experience and second year players Kobie Turner and Byron Young continue to improve—I believe it happens on Thursday.

The Vikings offensive line has not done the best keeping Sam Darnold off the grass this season. Against the Lions he suffered four sacks and has been brought down 18 times in just six games. LA’s secondary has also improved mightily since benching Tre’Davious White in favor of Akhello Witherspoon while Cobie Durant and Darious Williams have secured the rest of the field which should give LA’s defensive line more time to hit their target. Lackluster play from the linebackers does create a weakness in the middle but regardless the Rams have an opportunity to make Darnold uncomfortable all day long.

My prediction: LA’s defensive line figures it out and earns four sacks on the day.

LA keeps their playoff dreams alive

Let’s not sugar coat it—a loss all but secures a wasted season and will start an all out fire sale for the rest of the league to take advantage of as LA gets ready for 2025 and beyond. I do not think that will be the case. With Kupp back on the field the Vikings will not be able to sell out against the run and allow Kyren Williams to see more breathing room for the first time this season, not to mention Joe Noteboom also making his return to the field as well is a big deal. With the pressure of being the number one receiver on the field off of Tutu Atwell’s shoulders he should see some more deep balls coming his way and if Jordan Whittington is a go he should see some success also.

If the defense can play like they did against the Las Vegas Raiders then Darnold and company should have a long day. They will need to limit Justin Jefferson to the short and midfield game to protect against any explosive plays but it is inevitable that he gets one or two of them just from a talent perspective. The Rams can start with getting pressure in the trenches which Minnesota has been accustomed to giving up. Regardless of records, LA matches up well with the Vikings and could certainly cause the upset of the week.

My Prediction: The Rams save their season for another week and win by a touchdown.