NFC: Vikings (14-3) at Rams (10-7) in Glendale, Arizona

When: 7 p.m. Monday, ESPN/ABC | BetMGM NFL odds: Vikings by 1

Series record: Rams lead 29-17-2.

Last meeting: Rams beat Vikings 30-20 in Inglewood, Calif. on Oct. 24.

Last week: Vikings lost to Lions 31-9; Rams lost to Seahawks 30-25.

Vikings player to watch: Sam Darnold makes his NFL postseason debut as a starter after becoming the first QB to win 14 games in his first season with a team, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and surpassing his previous career highs in every key statistical category. The Orange County native and USC product who became the third overall pick in 2018 by the Jets was Brock Purdy’s backup last year on the 49ers’ NFC champion team.

Rams player to watch: QB Matthew Stafford turned in one of his best performances of the season in the Week 8 win over the Vikings, throwing for 279 yards and four touchdowns to one interception. However, he wasn’t nearly as sharp down the stretch, going 47 for 78 for 459 yards, one touchdown and one interception in victories over the 49ers, Jets and Cardinals. Stafford didn’t throw for more than 189 yards in any of those games while getting bailed out by a tenacious defense which held all three opponents to single digits.

Key matchup: Vikings RB Aaron Jones vs. Rams defensive line. Jones never got on track when the Vikings faced the Rams at SoFi Stadium in October, rushing for 58 yards on 19 carries. His longest gain was 9 yards. That ineffectiveness was one of the reasons the Vikings had to settle for two second-half field goals on drives inside the Rams 20. The Rams allowed 64 yards total on the ground, its second-best performance of the season. While OLB Byron Young, DT Kobie Turner and rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske receive praise for their pass rush skills, they also contributed 43 combined tackles for loss. If they can keep Jones under wraps again, it would give the defense a significant edge.

The pick: Struggles inside the red zone cost Darnold and the Vikings against the Lions in a showdown for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Instead of a bye, the Vikings hit the road (to Arizona instead of LA due to the wildfires) and are a favorite. Stafford led the Rams to a 30-20 victory over the Vikings in Week 8. He threw four TD passes and benefited from the return of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp from injuries. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores should have the Vikings defense ready for the rematch. VIKINGS 25-22