Rams wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Cooker Kupp and Robert Woods
Going into the season everybody understood that the Philadelphia Eagles were the defending champions, getting MVP candidate Carson Wentz back at quarterback, and were in prime position to maintain their favorite status in the NFC heading into 2018.
The team that lost to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, the Minnesota Vikings (1-1-1), went out and upgraded at quarterback by signing Kirk Cousins in the offseason. The Los Angeles Rams (3-0) loaded up on defense, acquiring Aqib Talib from the Denver Broncos and Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs, in addition to Ndamukong Suh. Both were expected to be the best teams in the NFC with the Eagles, and they clash on Thursday Night Football.
The game is scheduled to start at 8:20 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Fox, NFL Network and Amazon Prime. If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can watch a live stream of the game on your computer, phone or streaming device via one of the following streaming services:
Amazon Prime
If you have Amazon Prime or you want to start a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, you can watch a live stream of the game for free on your computer via the Amazon website, or you can watch on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Amazon Video app.
Both Fox (live in all 32 NFL markets) and NFL Network are included in FuboTV’s main package, which includes 85 total channels and is largely tailored towards sports fans. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of Cloud DVR (with the ability to upgrade to 500 hours), as well as a handy “72-Hour Lookback” feature, which will allow you to watch the game on-demand up to three days after it airs even if you forgot to record it.
In addition to their extensive Netflix-like streaming library, Hulu now also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including Fox (live in all 32 NFL markets). You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
Watch on Your Phone: NFL Mobile
Streaming of prime-time games, such as Thursday Night Football, can be watched on your phone via the NFL Mobile app.
Watch On-Demand: NFL Game Pass
If you’re fine watching the game on-demand, another option is NFL Game Pass Domestic, which allows you to watch replays of every NFL game for a fee of $99.99 for the season. No live games are available under this service, but you’ll be able to watch them following the conclusion of games for the day.
Once signed up, you can watch games on-demand on your computer via the NFL Game Pass website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the NFL Mobile app, which can be downloaded for free on a handful of different devices.
If You’re Outside the United States & Mexico
If you’re not in the United States, surrounding territories, or Mexico, you can watch NFL games live via NFL Game Pass International. The cost of the package depends on which country you’re in.
Once signed up, you can watch games on your computer via the NFL Game Pass website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the NFL Mobile app, which can be downloaded for free on a handful of different devices.
Preview
The Rams are heading into this game at 3-0 for the first time since 2001 – they just happened to have made the Super Bowl that season. On the strength of a terrific offense led by head coach Sean McVay and strong defense led by Wade Phillips, with the uncertainties facing the other NFC West teams, the Rams seem to be the odds on favorite to repeat as division champions and make good on preseason expectations.
The defense, however, will be tested. Talib and Peters left Sunday’s win against the Chargers with injuries. Talib (high ankle sprain) had surgery and was placed on injured reserve (will miss a minimum of eight weeks), and Peters (calf) is reportedly a game-time decision.
Jared Goff has continued taking a step forward this season at quarterback. With Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods on pace for 1,000-plus yard seasons, and Cooper Kupp being a difference-making third option, teams don’t have enough players to handle the Rams offense after Todd Gurley, who by the way is having an All-Pro caliber season himself at running back. When players like Gurley and Aaron Donald become secondary stories because of the play of others, that is always a strong sign.
The Vikings last week lose a miserable, letdown game on their home field against rookie quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Dalvin Cook, who missed Sunday’s loss against the Bills with a hamstring injury is questionable for Thursday. Cook was specifically held out Sunday to preserve his health with this matchup in mind, except the Vikings embarrassingly no-showed against a bad team.
The Vikings will also be without defensive end Everson Griffen. Griffen is currently battling personal issues and is taking a break from the team. Griffen reportedly threatened a Minneapolis hotel employee Saturday afternoon.
“The only thing we’re concerned about with Everson isn’t anything to do with football, it’s about him getting better.” – Coach Zimmer
“We just want what’s best for Everson and his family and that’s our mindset now.” –@KirkCousins8
Head coach Mike Zimmer and the rest of the team support Griffen, and are prepared to play without him for as long as it takes.