How a lot does Rams first assembly in opposition to the Vikings matter?

The Los Angeles Rams will play the Minnesota Vikings for the second time this season, solely this time the stakes might be a lot larger. On Monday evening, each groups will play one another within the remaining recreation of Tremendous Wild Card Weekend.

Once more, this would be the second time this season that the Rams and Vikings may have performed one another. The 2 sides met again in Week 8 with the Rams profitable, 30-20. It was that win in opposition to a 5-1 Vikings group that began the second half surge by the Rams. The Rams would get again to .500 the subsequent week in opposition to the Seahawks earlier than ending 6-3 down the stretch to win the NFC West.

In the meantime, the Vikings went on to win 10 of their subsequent 11 video games. Quite a bit has modified since that Week 8 assembly between these two groups and the massive query is how a lot that recreation issues in the case of Monday’s playoff recreation.

Group Tiers Since Week 9

RBSDM | Ben Baldwin

For the reason that NFL adjusted to the 14-team playoff format, there have been 9 non-division rematches within the wild card spherical. The winner of the primary assembly is 5-4 whereas the house group within the second recreation is 7-2. It’s additionally price noting that the 4 seed is 4-1.

Final season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans gained their rematches after coincidentally shedding the primary assembly. The Buccaneers defeated the Eagles whereas the Texans demolished the Browns.

Each groups will definitely have their changes. Again in Week 8, the Flores didn’t carry as a lot stress, sending 4 go rushers on 22 of Stafford’s 34 passing makes an attempt. Stafford accomplished 16 of these and was solely pressured at a price of 11.8 p.c. It could be protected to imagine {that a} protection that has lived by creating chaos with stress will attempt one thing in another way on Monday Night time.

Again in Week 8, Stafford threw six occasions out of 12 personnel and 13 of Kyren Williams’ 23 carries got here out of that personnel grouping as effectively. Williams has 11 carries and Stafford 10 passing makes an attempt out of 12 personnel within the final three video games mixed. How these groups function has modified considerably.

There’s additionally the side of personnel. Again in Week 8, the Vikings didn’t have TJ Hockenson or Blake Cashman. Hockenson has returned and has 455 yards on 41 receptions. Cashman has been a key participant in Flores’ blitz packages. He ranks fourth amongst linebackers with 28 pressures and is third in quarterback hits. Cashman modifications what Flores is ready to name defensively, particularly on early down. Each of these gamers might be enormous additions to the Vikings protection this time round.

Nevertheless, that’s to not say that the Rams gained’t have additions of their very own both. Puka Nacua had recreation again in Week 8, however performed simply over 50 p.c of the group’s offensive snaps. Moreover, the Rams had been enjoying Justin Dedich at left guard rather than Steve Avila who had not returned but. Omar Speights was additionally making his first profession begin at linebacker.

Additionally, very, very fascinating: Vikings DC Brian Flores admitted that group was scrambling earlier than Rams recreation earlier this yr with Puka Nacua lively. Mentioned they hadn’t anticipated it, given Nacua was simply coming back from 21-day window.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) January 7, 2025

This isn’t to say that the primary assembly between these two groups doesn’t matter. Each groups will definitely throw in some new wrinkles and tendency breakers. With that stated, there shouldn’t be loads that comes as a serious shock. Kevin O’Connell has added his personal id to the McVay-Shanahan offense, however the Rams ought to have some familiarity with the ideas that the Vikings wish to fall again on. In the meantime, the Rams have confronted Flores earlier than and may have understanding of what the Vikings wish to do on that aspect of the ball.

Monday’s playoff recreation goes to be an fascinating matchup. Whereas these two groups performed again in Week 8, that was almost two months in the past at this level. The Vikings misplaced yet one more recreation the remainder of the season and that got here in Week 18. This has the makings of one other NFC North rivalry for the Rams and rivalries have a tendency to start within the playoffs.