LA Rams vs Minnesota Vikings Week 16 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NFL Preview

(Photo : Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) INGLEWOOD, CA - Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass the ball in the game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Inglewood, California.

The Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings will put their respective winning streaks on the line when they square off this Sunday in a pivotal Week 16 clash. Both NFC teams are inside the playoff picture at the moment with the Rams and the Vikings holding two of the three wild card spots in the NFC. Here's a breakdown of the Rams vs Vikings clash.

Los Angeles Rams installed as -3 favorites

The division title is still in play for the Los Angeles Rams after recording a critical 20-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday night. It was a significant victory for the Rams, who are now tied with the Arizona Cardinals for the lead in the NFC West. The Rams currently hold a 10-4 record with three games remaining in their schedule. The Rams remain in fifth place, though, with the Cardinals still holding the head-to-head tiebreak.

There is more good news coming the Rams' way as more players are being cleared to return from their COVID-19 reserve. They got a major boost before Tuesday's game against the Seahawks when Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. were all activated off the list.

Sean McVay told reporters on Wednesday that Terrell Burgess, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and Rob Havenstein were all cleared to return as well for the game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Rams need all the help they can get as they are playing on a short week. Their rescheduled game against Seattle meant that the Rams only have four days to prepare for their clash against Minnesota.

One guy who needs to step up for the Rams in Week 16 is Matthew Stafford. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the win against the Seahawks.

Minnesota Vikings enter Week 16 as +3 underdogs

The Minnesota Vikings bolstered their playoff bid with a 17-9 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. It was a huge win for the Vikings, who moved up to seventh place in the NFC standings with a 7-7 record. If the playoffs begin today, the Vikings will nab the final wild card spot in the NFC.

For the Vikings to extend their winning streak to three games against the Rams, they will need to get a solid performance from Kirk Cousins. He looked out of sorts in the win against the Bears, completing just 12 of 24 passes for 87 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Cousins, who was sacked four times, threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson in the first quarter and connected with a 7-yard score to Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the third quarter.

There is a worrying development inside the Vikings camp ahead of the meeting against the Rams with Cousins appearing on the practice report for the first time this season due to a rib injury. He was estimated as a limited participant during Wednesday's practice. Cousins has thrown 3,656 yards this season with 29 touchdowns and six interceptions.