In five days, the Minnesota Vikings went from 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 and lost 30-20 to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday evening. 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 should reconsider Kupp in a potential trade and wonder if they are playoff contenders, 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 straight weeks, has struggled two weeks in a row, with the Lions and Rams moving the ball against Minnesota. The offense is fine, but often stalls after good starts, and losing left tackle Christian Darrisaw could be a problem.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is 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 gotten plenty of answers over the past two weeks. The Vikings are not in trouble after two losses, but the shine of their feel-good start is starting to fade.
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)
The Rams had a primetime game against the Chiefs a few years ago in which both teams scored 50 points, and for a while on Thursday night it looked like we might get a repeat performance.
The Vikings scored on the first drive and moved down the field with ease. The Rams answered with a touchdown, the Vikings immediately responded with Sam Darnold’s second touchdown pass of the game, then Kupp scored to tie the game. Four possessions, four touchdowns. It was a fun matchup between two fantastic offensive coaches.
The Vikings had issues with Nacua, playing his first game since the season opener after he missed time due to a knee injury. Nacua received more than 100 yards before the third quarter ended.
The defense got going after the early scoring drive. Both teams had difficulty sustaining the drive before halftime. Then, with less than a minute left in the half and the Vikings backing up on their own 3-yard line, Darrisaw, Minnesota’s stellar left tackle, got his leg rolled up on a run play and had to be helped to the locker . room.
The Vikings didn’t look like the team people expected to finish last in the NFC North, but they also didn’t look like the team that less than a week ago was one of the last two undefeated teams in the NFL.
Rams lead into 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 would become a first down and perhaps a touchdown. The Vikings settled for a field goal. That’s the kind of big mistake the Vikings rarely made during their 5-0 start.
There were even more mistakes. The Vikings took multiple defensive penalties on third downs, keeping Rams drives alive. The defense that confused many in a hot start did not confuse McVay or Stafford. Stafford was rarely pressed and was not sacked once.
Another third-down penalty in the fourth quarter led to Robinson’s second touchdown with 6:17 remaining. Darnold took a valuable 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 chew up most of the rest of the clock, the Rams used the aggressive nature of the Vikings against them. On a third-and-9, they ran a play that looked like a short receiver screen for 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 on the 3-yard line with 1:46 to go and Minnesota had no timeouts. Darnold was sacked by Byron Young for safety reasons — Young got away with a facemask penalty — and that ended the Vikings’ chances.
The Vikings’ schedule will relax in the coming weeks. But after being the talk of the NFL, they’ll have to reinvent themselves to avoid an extended losing streak.
LIVE DECLARATION IS OVER35 updates
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 an interception in the first games back ahead of Puka Nacua (106 receiving yards) and Cooper Kupp (51 yards and a touchdown).
The Rams improve to 3-4, while the Vikings suffer their second straight loss after a 5-0 start.
SAFETY: Byron Young gets the sack that ends the game
That works in Los Angeles. Byron Young beats two blockers to get to Darnold. It appears the referees missed a facemask penalty. An extremely obvious face mask fine. Unfortunately, the piece is not reviewable.
The Rams will accept it, but that will be discussed after the game and beyond.
Rams are stopped, but gambler Ethan Evans pins Vikings on the 3
The Vikings get the stop, but they have to go 97 yards plus a two-point conversion to send this to overtime. No more timeouts and 1:46 to go.
Cooper Kupp extends the drive and reaches midfield
Huge catch for a guy returning from injury. He has 42 yards and a TD tonight,
Rams gets the stop
Sam Darnold’s pass falls incomplete on 3rd and 21 and the Vikings opt to bet on their defense and kick it with 4:11 left. The Rams can win here with one more score.
TOUCHDOWN: Another one for Demarcus Robinson
There’s another for the veteran wide receiver, and a great find from Matthew Stafford. Rams up eight points with 6:17 left.
Rams go for it on the 4th and take it
Another carry for Kyren Williams, who has 89 yards per TD catch so far tonight.
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 held on in the red zone to stay ahead 21-20. With 12:47 left in the fourth quarter, a big drive is coming.
TOUCHDOWN: Demarcus Robinson brings it in
Demarcus Robinson’s first catch of the night is a big one. He overcomes a hold by the Vikings secondary for a 25-yard catch to put the Rams up 21-17. Big recovery for Stafford, who throws for 71 yards and a touchdown after that pick.
Justin Jefferson’s juggling catch is even better in slow motion
Justin Jefferson’s 27-yard grab looks even better on replay, moving from his left hand to his right before securing the ball and being pushed out of bounds.
Field goal: Vikings 17, Rams 14
After Justin Jefferson’s catch gives Minnesota first and goal from the 4-yard line, the Vikings are unable to punch it into the end zone.
Will Reichard’s 23-yard field goal gives Minnesota a 17-14 lead.
Justin Jefferson with a 27-yard reception
Justin Jefferson continues to open up for the Vikings. Sam Darnold hits it for a 27-yard gain down the left sideline.
Vikings’ OT Christian Darrisaw was out with a knee injury
Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw rolled his leg just before halftime and suffered an apparent knee injury. Kaylee Hartung of Amazon reports that he is out for the rest of the game.
Matthew Stafford left
After a turnoverless 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 is taken down by Byron Murphy Jr.
Rams gets the kick-off of the second half
The Rams get the ball to start the second half.
Will Reichard’s kick goes into the end zone for a touchback. Rams start at their 30-yard line.
HALFTIME: Vikings 14, Aries 14
We’re half way! Here are some of the key stats so far:
We’re at the two-minute warning and the Rams have the ball. However, they still have a long way to go, backed on their own 23-yard line.
It’s the Rams’ turn to punt
Okay, both teams wouldn’t score a touchdown on every possession. After the Vikings punt for the first time in this game, the Rams cannot move the ball on the next series.
Ethan Evans’ 42-yard kick puts the Vikings at their 36-yard line with 4:46 left in the first half.
In the meantime, enjoy Al Michaels’ steak stats at Toscana restaurant in West LA:
Sam Darnold’s first two incompletions
In the fifth series of this match, Sam Darnold threw his first two incompletions. And the Vikings are the first team to punt and go 3 and out.
If you’re just checking in…
So far it has been a meeting between the Vikings and Rams.
TD drive of 70 meters TD drive of 70 meters TD drive of 70 meters TD drive of 70 meters
