4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 8 Matchup vs Rams

By Andrew Buller-Russ |

Updated: Oct 23, 2024

After being one of the NFL’s best teams through six weeks, the Minnesota Vikings’ hot streak came to a screeching halt with a 31-29 loss to the Lions last Sunday. But just because the Vikings’ record is no longer flawless, it doesn’t mean fans should be worried about the games ahead.

In fact, a strong case can be made for the upcoming Los Angeles Rams matchup being one of the easiest games on the Vikings’ schedule thus far. Yet, this isn’t your typical matchup against a 2-4 team. After all, Kevin O’Connell mastered his craft under the watchful eye of Sean McVay, and now he gets to go toe-to-toe with his former mentor.

This means Coach McVay and Coach O’Connell have a strong sense of what the other wants to do in any given situation. However, that same reasoning could leave for a few surprise punches in the mouth on Thursday. As we’ve done for each matchup on the 2024 schedule, it’s time for some Vikings bold predictions against the Rams.

Sam Darnold has new career-high in passing yards

Thursday marks the return to where two current Vikings starred in college, a visit to the Golden State, where Sam Darnold and Jordan Addison parlayed successful careers into becoming first-round picks. Minnesota’s quarterback is enjoying a breakout season, but his best may be yet to come.

Sam Darnold stats (2024): 1,370 passing yards (17th), 8.4 YPA (4th), 12 TD (4th), 5 INT (12th-most), 104 QB Rating (7th)

So far, the most passing yards Darnold has had in a single game as a member of the Vikings came in Week 4 against the Packers, when he racked up 275 yards. Believe it or not, Darnold’s career-high in passing yards came as a rookie, far before the Jets completely shattered his confidence, when he had 341 yards, coincidentally also against Green Bay. No wonder Kevin O’Connell liked this guy.

Darnold also matched his personal best of 341 yards in 2023 as a member of the Panthers. But on Thursday, he’ll have the very best skill position group of talent he’s ever had when T.J. Hockenson joins his fellow Pro Bowl pass-catchers.

With Coach O’Connell having a chance to show his former employer what they’re missing out on, don’t be surprised to see some of the best plays in the Vikings’ playbook. It could lead to Darnold shattering his career-high in passing yards.

Jordan Addison sets new career-high in receiving yards

Even though it’s just his second NFL season, it already feels like Jordan Addison is an accomplished receiver. Yet, did you know he’s only had two 100-yard games in his young Vikings career? What’s arguably even more surprising is that his single-game career-high in receiving yards is 123, which came in Week 7 last year against the 49ers.

That game was at home, at U.S. Bank Stadium. But on Thursday, Addison gets to return to California, where he also thrived as a member of the USC Trojans. T.J. Hockenson is expected to return to the starting lineup, which could draw more attention away from Addison, plus, Justin Jefferson’s gravitational pull is always an X-Factor on game day too.

Jordan Addison’s stats (2024): 12 receptions, 209 yards, TD

With more defenders worried about what Jefferson, Hockenson, and even Aaron Jones are capable of, we could see Addison break loose for a new career-high in receiving yards on Thursday. It wouldn’t be all that surprising, considering the Rams have a young, inexperienced secondary that could be prone to making more mistakes.

After all, they do allow the fourth-most passing yards per attempt among all NFL teams. As a result, Addison could be in for his best game as a member of the Vikings. After Addison got called out by Coach O’Connell for not finishing his route in last Sunday’s loss to the Lions, expect the young star to be at his best.

T.J. Hockenson catches two TDs 2024 Minnesota Vikings debut

The day is finally here, or, it will be… on Thursday. Sam Darnold has long-awaited the return of T.J. Hockenson. Sure, he’s gotten to see what it’s like to throw to the two-time Pro Bowl tight end in practices, but he’ll finally get to experience the real thing in a live game in Week 8.

Hockenson is itching to show he’s ready to hit the field at full speed, destroying any and every defender in his path. It may be his first game back, but it’s a juicy matchup for anyone who still has one of the NFL’s best tight ends rotting away on their bench in fantasy leagues.

Seriously, the Rams are allowing more fantasy points to opposing tight ends in the NFL than any other team. This is largely because they’ve allowed the second-most touchdowns to tight ends, but they’ve even allowed 407 yards to them across six games, which is the fourth-most in the league.

So don’t be surprised if Darnold finds No. 87 often once the Vikings get near the red zone, because not only is he his biggest target as a pass-catcher, he should also get some great matchups.

Brandon Powell scores punt return touchdown against former team

Punt return touchdowns are extremely rare in the NFL nowadays. Punters are instructed to kick the ball out of bounds when facing the best returners. Yet, Brandon Powell, while servicable, is not one of the NFL’s best returners. The Rams know this, otherwise they would have held onto their former player.

Nevertheless, one team’s trash is another’s treasure, and Powell has at the very least provided a steady punt returning presence for the Vikings’ special teams. Yet, it’s been a long time since he’s touched paydirt. Powell hasn’t scored a special teams touchdown since 2021, which actually came against the Vikings.

Brandon Powell with a HOUSE CALL on the punt return! #RamsHouse

📺: #LARvsMIN on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/QL1FPk9uSj
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2021

However, if there’s ever a time to feel some extra motivation, it’s during a revenge game against your former team. Powell will have the opportunity to play in front of many members of his old coaching staff and a few teammates too. What better way to show the Rams made a mistake than by having a momentum-swinging punt return touchdown?

Being that there’s only been three punt return touchdowns in the NFL this season, don’t hold your breath. But when it happens, we’ll be the first to tell you we told you so.