In five days, the Minnesota Vikings have gone from atop the NFL world, with the Kansas City Chiefs, on a two-game losing streak and in question everywhere.
The NFL moves fast. The Vikings lost in the last 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 Pukka Nacua, looked like a new team and would have to reconsider buying Kupp in a potential trade and wonder if they are a playoff contender, especially in the NFC West. The Vikings also have to wonder what their next move is.
The Vikings' defense, which baffled the rest of the NFL for five weeks, has struggled two straight weeks, with the Lions and Rams running the ball against Minnesota. The offense is OK but often stalls after good starts, and the loss of left tackle Christian Darissa could be a problem.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores got 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 over the past two weeks. The Vikings aren't in trouble with two losses, but their good start has faded.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) tries to tackle Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) in the first half. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Both offenses started quickly
The Rams played a prime-time game against the Chiefs a few years ago in which both teams scored 50 points, and for a while Thursday night it looked like we might have a repeat.
The Vikings scored on the first drive, going down the field easily. The Rams answered with a touchdown, the Vikings responded immediately with Sam Darnold's second touchdown pass of the game, and then Koop scored to tie the game. Four possessions, four touchdowns. It was a fun showdown between two fantastic offensive coaches.
The Vikings had trouble with Naqua, playing in his first game since the season opener after missing time with a knee injury. Nacua had over 100 yards before the end of the third quarter.
The defensive starting score is settled after the floor. Both sides struggled to sustain drives before half time. Then, with less than a minute left in the half and the Vikings backed up to their own 3-yard line, Darriso, Minnesota's standout left tackle, twisted his leg on a run play and had to be helped to the locker. the room
The Vikings haven't looked like the team people expected to finish in the NFC North, but they haven't looked like the team that was one of the two final undefeated teams in the NFL less than a week ago.
The Rams took the lead in the 4th quarter
The Rams took the lead in the third quarter on a great 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 Naylor dropped a third-down pass that would have been a first down and possibly a touchdown. The Vikings settled for a field goal. The kind of colossal mistake the Vikings rarely made during their 5-0 start.
There were other mistakes. The Vikings committed multiple defensive penalties on third down, keeping the Rams drive alive. A defense that confused many in a hot start didn't confuse McVay or Stafford. Stafford was rarely pressured and never sacked.
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 great this season, but the Vikings haven't been able to do much against it.
The Rams used the Vikings' aggressive nature against them to help them chew up most of the rest of the clock. On third-and-9, they run a play that makes Nacua look like a small receiver screen. But Stafford waited and threw deep to Koop 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 left and Minnesota called a timeout. Byron Young sacked Darnold for a safety — Young got away with a facemask penalty — and that ended the Vikings' chances.
The Vikings' schedule will be easier in the coming weeks. But after the NFL talks, they'll have to reinvent themselves to avoid a long losing streak.
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Final: Rams 30, Vikings 20
A fun game ended with a bit of controversy, but the Rams looked like the better team. Matthew Stafford was 25-for-34 for 279 yards, four touchdowns and an interception behind Puca Nacua (106 receiving yards) and Cooper Kupp (51 yards and a TD).
The Rams improved to 3-4 while the Vikings suffered their second straight loss after a 5-0 start.
Safety: Byron Young gets the game-ending sack
In Los Angeles it will be. Byron Young beats two blockers and passes to Darnold. It looks like the officials missed a facemask penalty. A very obvious facemask penalty. Unfortunately, the play is not reviewable.
The Rams will take it, but it will be discussed after the game and beyond.
The Rams stalled, but punter Ethan Evans pinned the Vikings at the 3
The Vikings get the stop, but need 97 yards and a two-point conversion to send it to overtime. No timeouts left and 1:46 to go.
Cooper Kupp extended the drive to reach midfield
Huge catch for someone coming back from injury. He has 42 yards and a TD tonight.
To get the ram stop
Sam Darnold's pass fell incomplete on 3rd-and-21 and the Vikings chose to gamble on their defense and punted it with 4:11 left. The Rams can win by one more score here.
Touchdown: Another for DeMarcus Robinson
There's another one for veteran wide receiver, and a great find in Matthew Stafford. Up eight points with 6:17 left.
Ram 4th down go for it and get it
Another carry for Kieren Williams, who has a TD catch of 89 yards so far tonight.
FIELD GOAL: The Vikings gain some ground after Aaron Jones' catch
Aaron Jones extended the drive with a spectacular third-down catch, but the Rams held firm in the red zone for a 21-20 lead. With 12:47 left in the fourth quarter, here comes the big drive.
Touchdown: DeMarcus Robinson brings this one
DeMarcus Robinson's first catch of the night was huge. He overcame a hold from the Vikings secondary for a contested 25-yard catch to put the Rams up 21-17. Big recovery drive for Stafford, who threw for 71 yards and a TD after that pick.
Justin Jefferson's juggling catch in slow motion is even better
Justin Jefferson's 27-yard grab looked better on replay, the ball going from his left hand to his right before being secured and pushed out of bounds.
Field goals: Vikings 17, Rams 14
After Justin Jefferson's catch gave Minnesota 1st-and-goal from the 4-yard line, the Vikings couldn't punch it into the end zone.
Will Reichardt's 23-yard field goal gave Minnesota a 17–14 lead.
Justin Jefferson with a 27-yard reception
Justin Jefferson is going to be open for the Vikings. Sam Darnold hits him down the left sideline for a 27-yard gain.
Vikings OT Christian Dariso is out with a knee injury
Vikings left tackle Christian Dariso rolled up his leg just before halftime and suffered an apparent knee injury. Amazon's Kylie Hartung reports that she is out for the rest of the game.
Taken by Matthew Stafford
After a turnover-free first half, Matthew Stafford threw an interception on the Rams' opening drive of the second half.
On 3rd-and-6 from the Vikings' 46, Stafford overthrew DeMarcus Robinson and was picked off by Byron Murphy Jr.
Rams get the 2nd half kickoff
The Rams get the ball to start the second half.
Will Reichardt's kick goes into the end zone for a touchback. The Rams start at their 30-yard line.
We're at the two minute warning and the Rams have the ball. But they have a long way to go to back it up at their own 23-yard line.
Rams' punt turn
Well, neither team was going to score a touchdown on every possession. After the Vikings punted for the first time in the game, the Rams couldn't move the ball on the following series.
Ethan Evans' 42-yard punt put the Vikings at their 36-yard line with 4:46 left in the first half.
Meanwhile, enjoy Al Michaels' steak stats at West LA restaurant Toscana:
Sam Darnold's first two incompletions
On the fifth series of this game, Sam Darnold threw his first two incompletions. And the Vikings are the first team to punt, going for a 3-and-out.
If you're just checking in…
It's been a track meet between the Vikings and Rams so far.
