In five days, the Minnesota Vikings went from being at the top of the NFL world, along with the Kansas City Chiefs, to a two-game losing streak and questions everywhere.
The NFL moves fast. The Vikings lost in the final minute to the Detroit Lions last Sunday, then lost 30-20 to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. A 5-0 start is now a 5-2 record, and Minnesota is officially behind the Lions in the NFC North.
The Rams, with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back, looked like a new team and have to reconsider shopping Kupp in a potential trade and wonder if they’re playoff contenders, especially in the NFC West. The Vikings have to wonder what their next step is, too.
The Vikings’ defense that baffled the rest of the NFL for five weeks has struggled for two straight weeks, with the Lions and Rams moving the ball against Minnesota. The offense is fine but stalled often after a good start, and losing left tackle Christian Darrisaw could be a problem.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was off to a great start this season and his defense shut down some good offenses. But Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Rams coach Sean McVay have had plenty of answers the last two weeks. The Vikings aren’t in trouble due to two losses, but the shine of their feel-good start is starting to wear off.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) scrambles as Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) tries to tackle him in the first half. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Both offenses start fast
The Rams played a prime-time game against the Chiefs a few years ago in which both teams scored 50 points, and for a bit on Thursday night it seemed like we might get a repeat.
The Vikings scored on the first drive, easily moving down the field. The Rams answered with a touchdown, the Vikings responded immediately with Sam Darnold’s second touchdown pass of the game and then Kupp scored to tie the game. Four possessions, four touchdowns. It was a fun showdown between two fantastic offensive coaches.
The Vikings had trouble with Nacua, playing his first game since the season opener after missing time due to a knee injury. Nacua was over 100 yards receiving before the third quarter ended.
The defenses settled in after the early scoring flurry. Both sides had trouble sustaining drives before halftime. Then, with less than a minute left in the half and the Vikings backed up on their own 3-yard line, Darrisaw, Minnesota’s fantastic left tackle, had his leg rolled up on during a run play and he had to be helped to the locker room.
The Vikings didn’t look like the team that people expected would finish last in the NFC North, but they didn’t look like the team that was one of the two final undefeated teams in the NFL less than a week ago.
Rams lead into the 4th quarter
The Rams took a lead late in the third quarter on a nice deep pass from Stafford to Demarcus Robinson for a 25-yard touchdown. The Vikings were in position to get a touchdown of their own, but Jalen Nailor dropped a third-down pass that was going to be a first down and maybe a touchdown. The Vikings settled for a field goal. That’s the type of huge mistake the Vikings rarely made during their 5-0 start.
There were other mistakes. The Vikings took multiple defensive penalties on third downs, keeping Rams drives alive. The defense that confused many in a hot start didn’t confuse McVay or Stafford. Stafford was rarely pressured and wasn’t sacked once.
Another third-down penalty in the fourth quarter led to Robinson’s second touchdown with 6:17 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 against it.
To help chew up most of the rest of the clock, the Rams used the Vikings’ aggressive nature against them. On a third-and-9, they ran a play that looked like a short receiver screen to Nacua. But Stafford waited and threw deep to Kupp for a 27-yard gain. The Vikings had another shot, but the Rams’ punt went out of bounds at the 3-yard line with 1:46 to go and Minnesota holding no timeouts. Darnold was sacked for a safety by Byron Young — Young got away with a facemask penalty — and that ended the Vikings’ chances.
The Vikings’ schedule eases up in upcoming weeks. But after being the talk of the NFL, they’ll have to reinvent themselves to avoid a longer losing streak.
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Jack Baer
FINAL: Rams 30, Vikings 20
A fun game ends with a little controversy, but the Rams looked like the better team. Matthew Stafford was 25-for-34 for 279 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the first games back for Puka Nacua (106 receiving yards) and Cooper Kupp (51 yards and a TD).
The Rams improve to 3-4 while the Vikings suffer their second straight loss after a 5-0 start.
Jack Baer
SAFETY: Byron Young gets the game-ending sack
That'll do it in Los Angeles. Byron Young beats two blockers to get to Darnold. It looks like the officials missed a facemask penalty. An extremely obvious facemask penalty. Unfortunately, the play isn't reviewable.
The Rams will take it, but that's going to get discussed after the game, and beyond.
Sam Darnold's pass falls incomplete on 3rd-and-21 and the Vikings opt to bet on their defense and punt it with 4:11 left. The Rams can win here with one more score.
Jack Baer
TOUCHDOWN: Another for Demarcus Robinson
There's another for the veteran wide receiver, and a great find by Matthew Stafford. Rams up eight points with 6:17 left.
FIELD GOAL: Vikings make up some ground after Aaron Jones catch
Aaron Jones extended the drive with a spectacular third-down catch, but the Rams hold firm in the red zone to stay ahead 21-20. With 12:47 left in the fourth quarter, big drive coming up here.
Demarcus Robinson's first catch of the night is a big one. He overcomes a hold from the Vikings secondary for a contest 25-yard catch to put the Rams up 21-17. Big recovery drive for Stafford, who throws for 71 yards and a TD after that pick.
Justin Jefferson's juggling catch even better in slow motion
Justin Jefferson's 27-yard grab looks even better on replay, going from his left hand to his right before he secures the ball and is pushed out of bounds.
Vikings' OT Christian Darrisaw out with knee injury
Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw had his leg rolled up on just before halftime and suffered an apparent knee injury. Amazon's Kaylee Hartung reports that he is out for the rest of the game.
Ian Casselberry
Matthew Stafford picked off
After a turnover-free first half, Matthew Stafford throws an interception on the Rams' opening drive of the second half.
On 3rd-and-6 from the Vikings' 46, Stafford overthrows Demarcus Robinson and gets picked off by Byron Murphy Jr.
We're at the two-minute warning and the Rams have the ball. They have a long way to go, however, backed up at their own 23-yard line.
Ian Casselberry
The Rams' turn to punt
OK, both teams weren't going to score touchdowns on every possession. After the Vikings punt for the first time in this game, the Rams can't move the ball on the following series.
Ethan Evans' 42-yard punt puts the Vikings at their 36-yard line with 4:46 remaining in the first half.
Meanwhile, enjoy Al Michaels' steak stats at West L.A. restaurant Toscana:
Sam Darnold completed 8-of-8 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in that first quarter.
Ian Casselberry
TOUCHDOWN, Vikings
Sam Darnold threw to a receiver not named Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, hitting Trent Sherfield for a 10-yard touchdown pass on another crossing route near the goal line.
Vikings lead 14–7 with 0:53 remaining in the first quarter.
Ian Casselberry
First TD Vikings allowed in 1st quarter this season
That was the first touchdown the Vikings have allowed in the first quarter this season, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.
That's the first touchdown the Vikings have given up in the first quarter this season. They entered the game with a 58-3 advantage in first quarter scoring. Maybe we'll have a track meet tonight?
The Rams answer right back on their opening drive, moving 70 yards in nine plays. Matthew Stafford hits Kyren Williams for a short pass over the middle and a 5-yard touchdown.
Puka Nacua had two catches for 34 yards on the drive, while Williams had three carries for 18 yards.
Ian Casselberry
Rams get Puka Nacua involved right away
Matthew Stafford looks for Puka Nacua on the first play of the Rams' opening drive. The receiver dropped the pass. But Stafford went right back to Nacua, hitting for a short pass that gains 13 yards.
Rams safety Kam Curk is down after tackling Justin Jefferson. There's an injury timeout.
Ian Casselberry
Vikings receive opening kickoff
Minnesota will get the ball on offense to begin the game.
Ethan Evans boots the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. The Vikings will begin on their 30-yard line.
Ian Casselberry
Todd Gurley in the house for the Rams
Todd Gurley played five of his six seasons for the Rams organization. He rushed for 5,404 yards and 58 touchdowns in 73 games.
Gurley won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, was named to three Pro Bowl teams, won Offensive Player of the Year, and was a two-time first-team All-Pro selection.
The Rams get two big weapons in their passing game back on Thursday night, with receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both active.
Kupp has missed the Rams' past four games after injuring his ankle in Week 2. Nacua hurt his knee in Week 1 and has been sidelined for the past five weeks.
"Thursday's game might change how the Rams think about the next couple weeks, and it might change the NFL landscape too. There have been reports that the Rams have been discussing a Kupp trade with teams. Whether they win on Thursday night and improve to 3-4, or whether they lose and fall to 2-5, might influence whether they get more aggressive in shopping Kupp — and maybe even Stafford — or they hold onto him in hopes that a healthier offense pushes them into playoff contention. How Kupp looks upon his return might also influence trade talks."
