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LA Rams vs Minnesota Preseason Week 4 Expert Pick & Odds

LA Rams vs Minnesota Preseason Week 4 Expert Pick & Odds

Written by on August 30, 2016

NFL News and Rumors
The Minnesota Vikings have looked as impressive as any team this preseason with a 3-0 record and they look to finish it with an unbeaten mark when hosting the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. It’s Minnesota’s second game in its new stadium and the Vikes are favored on NFL lines.

How to Bet on the LA Rams vs Minnesota Preseason Week 4 Expert Pick, Odds & TV Info

When: Thursday, Sept. 1, 8 PM ET Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis TV: Check local listings Stream: NFL.com Radio: Los Angeles / Minnesota Opening NFL Lines: Vikings -4 (37)

Los Angeles vs Minnesota Historic Betting Series

This will mark the first time since 1991 for the Los Angeles Rams to appear in Minnesota and the 9th preseason meeting between the Los Angeles and Minnesota franchises. The Vikings hosted the Rams last regular season in Week 9 at the University of Minnesota and won 21-18 in overtime. Adrian Peterson rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries, helping set up Blair Walsh’s 40-yard field goal in overtime. Toddy Gurley gained 89 yards and a touchdown on 24 attempts for the Rams, who took the overtime kickoff at Vikes coach Mike Zimmer’s deferral but quickly went three-and- out. Greg Zuerlein made four field goals for the Rams, including a 53-yarder with 17 seconds left in regulation.

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

The Rams (1-2) played their first road preseason game last week and lost 17-9 in Denver. The Rams’ first- team defense played well, but the entire offense was limited to only three field goals after going 7-for- 7 in red-zone situations through the first two games. Gurley didn’t play. With starting quarterback Case Keenum, the Rams were able to move the ball effectively, scoring a pair of field goals with him in the game. Keenum finished 8-of- 12 for 77 yards . No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff was just 4-for- 12 for 45 yards. The Rams went for it on 4th and 12 at the Broncos’ 12-yard line with just over four minutes left, but Sean Mannion’s pass to Temarrick Hemingway went incomplete. Hours after announcing a four-year contract extension for Tavon Austin, the wide receiver was all but invisible again. He was targeted once and did not have a reception. Pharoh Cooper, solidified as the No. 3 receiver, and E.J. Gaines, locked in as the No. 2 cornerback, suffered injuries in the loss that could keep them out for the start of the regular season. Cooper injured a shoulder on an acrobatic catch and will be out “for a few weeks,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said during Sunday’s availability. The injury may have an impact on the Rams’ roster cuts, as the initial 53-man roster must be set by Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. PT. Gaines, who missed all of last season with a foot injury, suffered a quad strain, and Fisher said he “may miss some time.”

Why Bet on Minnesota?

The Vikings (3-0) beat San Diego 23-10 last week in their U.S. Bank Stadium debut. Teddy Bridgewater was sharp in his return from a sore arm, completing 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Bridgewater led the Vikings to points on three of five possessions. He also turned a third- down scramble into a 22-yard gain in which he juked Adrian Phillips in the middle of the field. Shaun Hill played just one series after getting the start the game before in Seattle, and Joel Stave lost one of his two fumbles while playing most of the second half. Minnesota quarterbacks were 18-of- 23 passing (78.3 percent), compared to an 18-of- 36 outing (50 percent) by San Diego that included three interceptions. Rookie first-round pick Laquon Treadwell caught his only target for 15 yards in Sunday’s regular season dress rehearsal. It came on a quick hitter from Stave early in the fourth quarter. Treadwell also snagged a two-point conversion on a goal-line fade from Hill. Offensive linemen Matt Kalil and John Sullivan sat out on offense, with TJ Clemmings and Joe Berger stepping in. On defense, it was Everson Griffen, Eric Kendricks and Xavier Rhodes who didn’t participate, with Danielle Hunter, Audie Cole and Trae Waynes seeing additional time. You won’t see Bridgewater in this game or Peterson.

My Expert Pick

Go Minnesota on NFL lines and the under.
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