Rams’ offense takes off in spectacular win over Vikings on Thursday night time

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams held on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 30-20 on “Thursday Evening Soccer.”

The Rams obtained two key starters — extensive receivers Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) — again from damage and scored a season-high 30 factors towards a Vikings group that entered the sport ranked No. 1 in defensive DVOA.

Los Angeles obtained only a glimpse of its high two receivers on the sphere collectively in its season opener earlier than Nacua injured a knee within the loss. Kupp sprained an ankle the week after, and the offense struggled to seek out consistency with out the pair on the sphere.

The return of Kupp and Nacua opened up the sphere for the Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford, who accomplished passes to 9 totally different gamers within the victory. Nacua led the best way with 9 targets, whereas Kupp had eight and working again Kyren Williams had seven.

The win boosted the Rams’ document to 3-4, with two of these three victories coming 4 days aside. And regardless of the Rams’ 1-4 begin, Los Angeles enters the weekend tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals at 3-4. The Rams are only one recreation again from the division-leading Seattle Seahawks.

Los Angeles performs in Seattle in Week 9.

Most shocking efficiency: The Rams stored Nacua’s return quiet, activating him from injured reserve regardless of the very fact he could not observe due to the quick week.

However Stafford went to Nacua early and infrequently on Thursday night time, and the second-year receiver led the Rams with seven catches for 106 yards on 9 targets.

Nacua performed 35 of 65 offensive snaps for Los Angeles.

QB breakdown: Stafford entered the sport with simply three passing touchdowns this season.

He greater than doubled that on Thursday night time, throwing two within the first half and two within the second half to extensive receiver Demarcus Robinson.

Stafford had considered one of his greatest video games of the season, finishing 24 of 33 passes for 270 yards and an interception.

Largest gap within the recreation plan: Stopping Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson, the receiver Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula referred to as “one of the best on the earth” main as much as this recreation, had eight catches for 115 yards on Thursday night time.

The Rams’ cross protection entered the sport ranked thirtieth in DVOA, and the group struggled to cease the Vikings’ greatest participant.

Subsequent recreation: at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 3)

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Who’re the Minnesota Vikings? The group that dominated its first 5 video games of the season with the largest level differential within the NFL? Or the one which has now misplaced two video games in 5 days?

That is what Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and his workers shall be desirous about as they journey again to Minnesota after Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

It is one factor to have dropped a two-point recreation final Sunday to the Detroit Lions, who may properly be one of the best group in soccer. However the Rams have been 2-4 earlier than Thursday night time and reportedly have thought-about buying and selling receiver Cooper Kupp, one of many cornerstones of the franchise, in a attainable concession to the season.

The reply is usually someplace within the center. ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index projected the Vikings to win 6.8 video games for the season, they usually’re extremely more likely to eclipse that mark. And there shall be a variety of dialogue concerning the uncalled face masks penalty when the Rams sacked quarterback Sam Darnold for what turned out to be the game-sealing security.

However after watching the Vikings’ protection hand over 4 landing passes to Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and massive chunks of yards in between, and realizing the troublesome activity they’ve of taking part in within the NFC North, it is clear we do not but understand how good this group will be.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Jefferson breakout.

Jefferson entered the sport with 531 receiving yards in six video games, fifth most within the NFL, however he had just one 100-yard efficiency earlier than Thursday night time.

In reality, he stated final week: “I am undoubtedly sick of getting these 80-, 90-yard video games. I’ve undoubtedly obtained to recover from that hump over 100 yards. It may be considered one of these video games that we will present the world what we’re actually able to, and hopefully it is Thursday night time.”

Jefferson eclipsed the 100-yard mark with a juggling 27-yard reception within the third quarter and completed with 115 yards on eight catches.

Troubling development: Left sort out Christian Darrisaw was dominated out after struggling a left knee damage late within the second quarter.

There was no instant phrase on the severity of the damage, however he wanted help from medical workers to get off the sphere and into the locker room.

The Vikings have a reliable veteran backup in David Quessenberry, they usually’ll have a number of further days to arrange for his or her Week 9 recreation towards the Colts. However make no mistake, Darrisaw is likely one of the NFL’s high left tackles, one who’s price each penny of the five-year, $140 million contract extension he signed final week, and it will be an unlimited loss if he misses prolonged time.

Largest gap within the recreation plan: The Vikings could not discover a method to get to Stafford for a lot of the recreation.

They pressured him on solely three of 34 dropbacks. And even then, he accomplished a cross towards all three of these pressures, together with a 7-yard landing cross to Kupp within the second quarter by which he eluded defensive sort out Harrison Phillips and linebacker Jonathan Greenard.

Move rush had been a key to the Vikings’ sizzling begin this season, and earlier than Thursday they’d managed not less than a 24.6% stress price in each recreation.

Subsequent recreation: vs. Colts (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 3)