After securing a crucial victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, the Minnesota Vikings (7-7) head home to play the Los Angeles Rams (10-4). The Vikings hold the seventh and final playoff seed in the NFC with three games remaining.

Minnesota is 4-2 at home this season, including a signature win over the rival Green Bay Packers. The Vikings host a Rams squad riding a three-game win streak.

For more insight on the Vikings' Week 16 matchup against the Rams, listen below:

Before the two teams meet for a critical NFC showdown in Week 16, let’s make four bold Vikings Week 16 predictions.

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Vikings Week 16 Predictions

4. Alexander Mattison scores TD, accumulates 100 total yards

Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, who is unvaccinated, will miss Sunday’s pivotal game against the Rams. He was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list and will be inactive for the fourth time this season.

With Cook out, third-year running back Alexander Mattison will get the start. Mattison was just activated off the COVID-19 list after missing Monday’s victory over the Bears. Returning after a one-game absence, Mattison finds himself as the team’s RB1—a role he thrived in over his previous three starts.

Mattison was heavily involved in the offensive game plan in starts he made in Weeks 3, 5 and 13 when Cook was sidelined. He averaged 24.3 carries, 6.0 targets and 149.3 yards from scrimmage per game and scored two touchdowns, helping Minnesota to a 2-1 record.

The Rams present a challenging matchup for Mattison. Los Angeles has surrendered the sixth-fewest rushing yards per contest (99.1) and ranks No. 6 in rush DVOA. Mattison’s rushing yardage could see a significant dip compared to his previous starts.

While he will struggle to get chunks of yards against a defense yielding the third-fewest yards per carry (3.9), Mattison will find a way to reach the end zone. The Rams have allowed 17 rushing touchdowns, the fifth-most in the NFL.

Given Mattison’s role in the passing game in previous starts, he should be able to accumulate 100 total yards versus the Rams.

3. Vikings’ defense gets shredded by Cooper Kupp, who scores twice and posts 150+ yards

The Vikings will have their hands full with Rams superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

The fifth-year pro has been unstoppable since the 2021 season kicked off, on pace to win the NFL receiver version of the Triple Crown—leading the league in receptions (122), receiving yards (1,625) and touchdown catches (14). Kupp would be the first player to achieve this feat since Steve Smith Sr. pulled it off back in 2005 with the Carolina Panthers.

A touchdown machine, Kupp has posted five games this season with two or more scores. Against the Vikings’ 29th-ranked pass defense, Kupp should feast. The Vikings do not have a single player ranked inside the top-60 NFL cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ coverage grades.

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With no corner equipped to contain Kupp, expect the Rams wide receiver to explode for over 150 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings.

2. Kirk Cousins returns to form, throws for 300+ yards with 2 TDs

The Vikings’ best shot of an upset win falls on the shoulders of Kirk Cousins. However, he's been ineffective the last two games despite his team's overall success.

While the Vikings are 2-0 in Cousins’ aforementioned starts, it’s undeniable the team won in spite of its starting quarterback.

For most of the season, though, Cousins was guiding an electric Vikings offense, which was often forced had to make up for the deficiencies of the defense. Cousins ranks fifth in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks in passer rating (101.8) and seventh in both passing yards (3,656) and passing touchdowns (29).

Cousins is expected to get one of his major targets back this weekend. Wide receiver Adam Thielen plans to suit up against the Rams after missing the past two games with a sprained ankle.

Thielen’s return will rejuvenate Cousins, who will regain his groove to the tune of 300 passing yards and two scores.

1. Minnesota (+3) upsets Los Angeles

The Vikings are three-point home underdogs against the Rams. While currently holding onto a playoff spot, a loss here would be devastating for their postseason chances.

Minnesota is coming off a short week, but the Rams have an even quicker turnaround after playing on Tuesday night due to a coronavirus outbreak forcing the postponement of their win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Los Angeles was without starting right tackle Rob Havenstein, strong safety Jordan Fuller and tight end Tyler Higbee on Tuesday due to COVID-19 protocols. Their status for Sunday’s game remains unknown. The Rams had 16 players on the COVID-19 list. With limited rest from their victory over the Seahawks, they could be at a slight disadvantage come kickoff of Week 16.

The Vikings may have to win two of their final three games to make the playoffs, and a daunting matchup awaits next week—a road tilt against a Packers squad looking to avenge their Week 11 loss to Minnesota. Needless to say, this is a borderline must-win matchup for the Vikings.

This should be a close contest—par for the course for the 2021 Vikings, who have played in 11 straight games decided by one score or less. Look for the Vikings to pick up a narrow win over the Rams and improve to 8-7.