Two of the pleasant surprises of the NFL season are the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. Both teams sit at 7-2 and will meet up this weekend in what could be a playoff preview.
Led by quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley, the Rams lead the league in scoring (32.9) and have the No. 3 offense (388.9 yards per game). The Vikings lost Sam Bradford for the season, but Case Keenum has filled in well, helping Minnesota to its current five-game winning streak.
The picks are getting close with Jason Romano and Jason Ackerman leading with seven wins, while Justin Adams is one-game behind.
Jason Romano: Minnesota Vikings 24 – Los Angeles Rams 20 – Both teams are playing great football, but I like the Vikings to win this simply because they’re playing at home. I expect a big game from the Vikings defense.
UPSET (PHI -4.5): Dallas Cowboys 30 – Philadelphia Eagles 27 – I’ve been terrible on my upset picks, but I’m going with Dallas at home to right the ship and hand Philadelphia just their second loss of the season. They’ll need Tyron Smith to play, and if he does, I think the Cowboys do enough to get the W.
Justin Adams: Los Angeles Rams 23 – Minnesota Vikings 20 – Jared Goff is on fire. He has thrown for seven touchdown passes in the last two games. Minnesota will be able to attack the Rams below-average rush defense, but Goff will be too much to handle and lead the Rams to another road victory.
UPSET (SEA -3): Atlanta Falcons 27 – Seattle Seahawks 24 – The loss of Richard Sherman will begin to show on Monday night against the Falcons. Matt Ryan will find Julio Jones several times in the end zone. Also, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn formerly coached the Seahawks famed cover 3 defense.
Jon Ackerman: Los Angeles Rams 24 – Minnesota Vikings 21 – The Rams boast the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense (32.9 ppg), No. 3 scoring defense (18.0 ppg), lead the league in takeaways (19), and have yet to lose on the road. I think that carries them to a win in Minnesota.
UPSET (PHI -4.5): Dallas Cowboys 27 – Philadelphia Eagles 25 – The Cowboys shouldn’t win because they’ll be without Ezekiel Elliot, but logic can be ignored in divisional rivalries. I think they get the upset at home over an Eagles team not quite accustomed to being the best team in the NFL.
Last Week’s Game of the Week Pick Recap: New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills
Jason Romano: Buffalo Bills 27 – New Orleans Saints 24
Justin Adams: Buffalo Bills 27 – New Orleans Saints 24
Jon Ackerman: New Orleans Saints 30 – Buffalo Bills 17
Actual Result: New Orleans Saints 47 – Buffalo Bills 10
Season Record: (Upsets Record in Parentheses)
Jason: 7-3 (2-7)
Justin: 6-4 (3-6)
Jon: 7-2 (2-6)
