Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, 9, scrambles as Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, 97, attempts a tackle in the first half. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
In five days, the Minnesota Vikings have gone from atop the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs to two losses in a row, prompting questions everywhere.
The NFL moves fast. The Vikings lost a last-minute loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday and lost 30-20 to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. After starting 5-0, they’re now 5-2 and Minnesota officially trails the Lions in the NFC North.
The Rams looked like a new team with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back, but they should reconsider acquiring Kupp in a possible trade, especially if they want to be a playoff contender in the NFC West. I have my doubts. The Vikings also have to figure out what their next step is.
The Vikings’ defense, which has stumped other teams in the NFL for five weeks, has struggled for the second straight week as the Lions and Rams moved the ball against Minnesota. The offense has been good, but it often stalls after good starts, and missing left tackle Christian Darrisaw could be an issue.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is off to a great start this season, and his defense has shut down some good attacks. But Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Rams coach Sean McVay have found plenty of answers over the past two weeks. The Vikings aren’t in danger with two losses, but the shine from their hot start is starting to fade.
Both offenses start quickly
A few years ago, the Rams played a prime-time game against the Chiefs in which both teams scored 50 points, and for a moment Thursday night it looked like there might be a repeat.
The Vikings scored on their first drive and went down the field with ease. The Rams responded with a touchdown, and the Vikings responded quickly with Sam Darnold’s second touchdown pass of the game, followed by Cooper Kupp’s score to tie the game. 4 possessions, 4 touchdowns. It was a fun showdown between two great offensive coaches.
The Vikings struggled with Puka Nacua, playing in his first game since the season opener after being sidelined with a knee injury. Nacua had over 100 yards receiving by the end of the third quarter.
After an early scoring rush, the defense settled down. Both teams struggled to sustain drives before halftime. Then, with less than a minute left in the second half and the Vikings retreating to their own 3-yard line, Darrisaw, Minnesota’s great left tackle, curled up his leg on a run play and had to be helped to his locker. room.
The Vikings didn’t look like the team people expected to finish last in the NFC North, but they were one of the last two undefeated teams in the NFL less than a week ago. They didn’t look like a good team.
Rams take lead heading into 4th quarter
The Rams took the lead late in the third quarter with a nice deep pass from Stafford to DeMarcus Robinson for a 25-yard touchdown. The Vikings were in position to score a touchdown of their own, but Jalen Naylor dropped a third-down pass, resulting in a first down and possible touchdown. The Vikings made a field goal. This is the type of big mistake the Vikings rarely made during their 5-0 start.
There were other mistakes as well. The Vikings took multiple defensive penalties on third down to keep the Rams drives alive. The defense, which confused many with a hot start, didn’t faze Rams head coach Sean McVay or Stafford. Stafford received little pressure and was never sacked.
Another third-down penalty in the fourth quarter led to Robinson’s second touchdown with 6 minutes, 17 seconds left. Darnold took a costly sack and threw incomplete on third-and-21, leading to a punt. The Rams’ defense hasn’t been very good this season, but the Vikings couldn’t do much about it.
To eat up most of the remaining time, the Rams used the Vikings’ offensive nature against them. On third-and-9, he made a short receiver screen-like play for Nacua. But Stafford waited and threw deep to Kupp for a 27-yard game. The Vikings took more shots, but the Rams’ punt went wide at the 3-yard line with 1:46 left, and Minnesota held without a timeout. Darnold was sacked by safety Byron Young, and Young escaped with a facemask penalty, ending the Vikings’ chances.
The Vikings’ schedule will ease up in the coming weeks. But once they become the talk of the NFL, they will need to reinvent themselves to avoid an extended losing streak.
Live35 Update
Thursday, October 24, 2024, 11:09pm EDT
Final: Rams 30, Vikings 20
A fun game ends with a bit of controversy, but the Rams looked like the better team. Matthew Stafford went 25-for-34 for 279 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in his first game back, along with Puka Nacua (106 receiving yards) and Cooper Kupp (51 yards, 1 TD).
The Rams improved to 3-4, but the Vikings lost their second straight game after a 5-0 start.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 11:06 PM EDT
Safety: Byron Young gets game-ending sack.
You could do that in Los Angeles. Byron Young beats two blockers to get to Darnold. Officials appear to have overlooked the face mask penalty. Very obvious face mask penalty. Unfortunately, I cannot review this play.
The Rams will accept that, but it will be discussed after the game and beyond.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 11:04 PM EDT
The Rams are stopped, but punter Ethan Evans pins the Vikings with a triple.
The Vikings got the stop, but would need 97 yards and another two-point conversion to force it into overtime. There are no timeouts and 1 minute 46 seconds remaining.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:59 PM EDT
Cooper Kupp extends his drive to midfield.
This is a huge accomplishment for a player who has returned from injury. He had 42 yards and a TD tonight.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:52 PM EDT
Rams make a stop
Sam Darnold’s pass fell incomplete on 3rd-and-21, and the Vikings bet on their defense and elected to punt with 4:11 left. The Rams need just one more point to win here.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:44 PM EDT
Touchdown: Another DeMarcus Robinson creation
Another great find for the veteran wide receiver, and Matthew Stafford. Scored 8 points with 6 minutes and 17 seconds remaining.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:42 PM EDT
Rams goes for it on 4th down and gets it.
Another carry for Kyren Williams, who has an 89-yard TD catch so far tonight.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:33 PM EDT
FIELD GOAL: Vikings trail after Aaron Jones makes the catch.
Aaron Jones extended the drive with a nice third-down catch, but the Rams held firm in the red zone and held a 21-20 lead. With 12 minutes and 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter, a big drive came.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:19 PM EDT
Touchdown: DeMarcus Robinson makes it.
DeMarcus Robinson’s first catch of the night was a big one. He overcame a hold from the Vikings’ secondary and made a 25-yard catch to give the Rams a 21-17 lead. Stafford made a huge comeback after the pick, throwing for 71 yards and a TD.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:11pm EDT
Justin Jefferson’s juggling is even better caught when seen in slow motion
Justin Jefferson’s 27-yard grab looked even better on replay, going from left hand to right hand before securing the ball and being pushed out of bounds.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:10pm EDT
Field goals: Vikings 17, Rams 14.
After Justin Jefferson’s catch gave Minnesota a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, the Vikings couldn’t punch it in the end zone.
Will Reichard’s 23-yard field goal gave Minnesota a 17-14 lead.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:08 PM EDT
Justin Jefferson with a 27-yard reception
Justin Jefferson remains open for the Vikings. Sam Darnold took a hit along the left sideline for a 27-yard gain.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:03 PM EDT
Vikings OT Christian Darrisaw out with knee injury
Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw rolled up his leg and suffered an apparent knee injury just before halftime. Amazon’s Kaylee Hartung reported that she will miss the remaining games.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:00 PM EDT
Matthew Stafford pickoff
After a turnover-free first half, Matthew Stafford made an interception on the Rams’ first drive of the second half.
On third-and-six from the Vikings’ 46, Stafford beats DeMarcus Robinson and is picked off by Byron Murphy Jr.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 9:53 PM EDT
Rams kick off the second half
The Rams get the ball and the second half begins.
Will Reichard’s kick reached the end zone for a touchback. The Rams will start at their own 30-yard line.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 9:38 PM EDT
Halftime: Vikings 14, Rams 14
It’s already half! Here are some of the key stats so far:
Vikings total offense 147 yards
Sam Darnold 10-13, 112 yards, 2 TDs
Justin Jefferson 6 catches, 74 yards
Aaron Jones 8 carries, 36 yards
Rams total offense 192 yards
Matthew Stafford 13-18, 105 yards, 2 TDs
Karen Williams 11 carries, 73 yards/4 catches, 12 yards, 1 TD
Puka Nakka 4 catches, 64 yards
Thursday, October 24, 2024 9:29 PM EDT
2 minute warning
The two-minute warning came and the Rams had the ball. But they have a long way to go before retreating at their own 23-yard line.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 9:22 PM EDT
Rams’ turn to punt
OK, neither team was going to score a touchdown on every possession. After the Vikings allowed a punt for the first time in the game, the Rams were unable to move the ball on the next series.
Ethan Evans’ 42-yard punt put the Vikings at their own 36-yard line with 4:46 left in the first half.
Meanwhile, enjoy Al Michael’s Steak Stats at West LA restaurant Toscana.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 9:10pm EDT
Sam Darnold’s first two imperfections
On the fifth series of this game, Sam Darnold threw his first two incompletions. The Vikings were the first team to punt, resulting in a 3-and-out.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 9:05 PM EDT
If you just want to check in…
So far, it’s been a track meet between the Vikings and Rams.
70 yard TD drive
70 yard TD drive
70 yard TD drive
70 yard TD drive
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) October 25, 2024
