Is the air escaping from the Vikings' balloon? A bit harsh, perhaps, for a team that deserves a mulligan, or at least a semi-mulligan, as a 31-29 loss to the heavyweight Lions hardly signifies a "sell" signal on Minnesota. But a loss is a loss and we have seen this many times in the NFL where a a quick start, especially an unexpected one, begins to evaporate. Sam Darnold has played his best football at QB for the Vikes since his college days up the Harbor Freeway at USC, but nothing in his pro career suggests he can sustain his hot start. Besides, the Rams did hard, competitive in most every game, having taken those same Lions into OT in the opener, coming back to beat a much-healthier (than now) 49ers, and within a whisker of other NFC North teams like the Bears and Packers. There is word from LA that Cooper Kupp might reappear in the Rams lineup, which will be good news for Matthew Stafford. Bottom line? This looks like it could be a 3-point game either way, and in those situations...take the points! Play Rams