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NFL Week 4
- Thread starter _Rick_
- Start date
TNF Rams -6.5 (4 units)
Normally I wouldn't take a 3-0 ATS fav with the dog coming in after a blowout, but here's the deal w/ the Rams. The starting O had no pre-season snaps, yet win by double digits in Oakland. Week 2, they come in hot, Gurley only plays 1/2 the game, and the defense doesn't have to play at the end of the game because they're up 34-0. AND THEY HAD NO KICKER! Zuerlein was hurt in warm ups - so they had multiple 4th down attempts in and around the Red Zone in week 2. With a kicker there, they would have added 3-4 FGs, bringing the score to 42+. Then week 4 they hold the Chargers offense to one score per quarter. A lot of worry out there because of Talib and Peters being out, but Wade Phillips will adjust. Those two CBs weren't there last year and they did just fine.
As far as the Vikings, I haven't seen this "top rated" defense live up to their pre-season expectations. We've seen the team steadily drop down in power rankings each week because their defense hasn't been anywhere near what was expected of it. Don't get me wrong - they have great potential. They may cover, or even win the game. But I'm going to take the home team on a short week with a 3.5 spread on a neutral field. I think the Rams are more than 4 points better than the Vikings.
Normally I wouldn't take a 3-0 ATS fav with the dog coming in after a blowout, but here's the deal w/ the Rams. The starting O had no pre-season snaps, yet win by double digits in Oakland. Week 2, they come in hot, Gurley only plays 1/2 the game, and the defense doesn't have to play at the end of the game because they're up 34-0. AND THEY HAD NO KICKER! Zuerlein was hurt in warm ups - so they had multiple 4th down attempts in and around the Red Zone in week 2. With a kicker there, they would have added 3-4 FGs, bringing the score to 42+. Then week 4 they hold the Chargers offense to one score per quarter. A lot of worry out there because of Talib and Peters being out, but Wade Phillips will adjust. Those two CBs weren't there last year and they did just fine.
As far as the Vikings, I haven't seen this "top rated" defense live up to their pre-season expectations. We've seen the team steadily drop down in power rankings each week because their defense hasn't been anywhere near what was expected of it. Don't get me wrong - they have great potential. They may cover, or even win the game. But I'm going to take the home team on a short week with a 3.5 spread on a neutral field. I think the Rams are more than 4 points better than the Vikings.
GL but weren't Vikes looking ahead to this game. And didn't show up vs Bills.
Its possible. Normally I would take Vikings because of that. Usually if I have a team that blew it big time vs a team that covered easily I’ll take the team that blew it since the previous games widen the spread. But I think the Rams are just better overall, and have better coaching and play calling. At this point, the Vikings may be worthy of a division win or better, but it’s all speculation based on last year and they haven’t shown us the goods this season yet.
