It will be up to the Vikings' defensive leaders in defensive end Danielle Hunter and safety Harrison Smith to slow down the Rams offense on a short week of preparation. The Vikings have recorded 10 sacks through three games this season, lead by Hunter and Smith who combine for five.

"Yeah, they're a great defense," McVay said. "You look at the production that they've had this year — excellent coach in Mike Zimmer that does a great job presenting a variety of different looks. They play really sound on the early downs. They make you earn every single yard."

The Vikings secondary has also been better than advertised in last week's loss to the Bills. Smith, along with cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Xavier Rhodes each have an interception in 2018.

On offense, the Vikings will challenge the Rams through the air with quarterback Kirk Cousins' deep-shot ability and a cast of impressive wide receivers. Cousins has racked up 965 yards passing and seven touchdowns through three games in his first season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

On Thursday, Cousins will be looking for one of the league's best receivers in Adam Thielen. Thielen enters Thursday's game with 32 receptions for 338 yards through three games — good for an average of 112 yards per game. He is joined by fellow receiver Stefon Diggs, who has just over half as many yards, but three touchdowns through three weeks.

As far as the run game, the Vikings will evaluate running back Dalvin Cook ahead of Thursday's game. Cook was limited at practice on Tuesday and missed last week's game against the Bills with a hamstring injury.