Vikings-Rams: Matthew Stafford's 4 TD passes doom Minnesota to its 2nd straight loss

Sam Darnold couldn't engineer much in 4th quarter in 30-20 defeat

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.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) scrambles as Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) tries to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
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 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.

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.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER35 updates
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Rams get stopped, but punter Ethan Evans pins Vikings at the 3

    The Vikings get the stop, but they'll need to go 97 yards plus a two-point conversion just to send this to overtime. No timeouts left and 1:46 to go.

  • Cooper Kupp extends the drive and reaches midfield

    Huge catch for a guy returning from injury. He's got 42 yards and a TD tonight,

  • Rams get the stop

    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.

  • 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.

  • Rams go for it on 4th down and get it

    Another carry for Kyren Williams, who has 89 yards a 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 hold firm in the red zone to stay ahead 21-20. With 12:47 left in the fourth quarter, big drive coming up here.

  • TOUCHDOWN: Demarcus Robinson hauls it in

    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.

  • Field goal: Vikings 17, Rams 14

    After Justin Jefferson's catch gives Minnesota 1st-and-goal from the 4-yard line, the Vikings can't punch it in 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 get open for the Vikings. Sam Darnold hits him for a 27-yard gain down the left sideline.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Rams get the 2nd half kickoff

    The Rams get the ball to begin the second half.

    Will Reichard's kick goes to the end zone for a touchback. Rams begin at their 30-yard line.

  • HALFTIME: Vikings 14, Rams 14

    We're at the half! Here are some of the key stats thus far:

    Vikings 147 yards total offense

    Sam Darnold 10-13, 112 yards, 2 TD

    Justin Jefferson 6 catches, 74 yards

    Aaron Jones 8 carries, 36 yards

    Rams 192 yards total offense

    Matthew Stafford 13-18, 105 yards, 2 TD

    Karen Williams 11 carries, 73 yards/ 4 catches, 12 yards, 1 TD

    Puka Nacka 4 catches, 64 yards

  • 2-minute warning

    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.

  • 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'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 3-and-out.

  • If you're just checking in...

    It's been a track meet between the Vikings and Rams thus far.

  • TOUCHDOWN, Rams

    We have a shootout at SoFi Stadium!

    Matthew Stafford ducks away from two tacklers and fires a 7-yard pass to Cooper Kupp in the end zone.

    Vikings 14, Rams 14 with 10:05 remaining in the first half.

  • Puka Nacua is VERY active

    Puka Nacua already has four receptions for 64 yards (on five targets) and one rush for seven yards.

  • Sam Darnold hasn't missed yet

    Sam Darnold completed 8-of-8 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in that first quarter.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • TOUCHDOWN, Rams

    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.

  • 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.

  • TOUCHDOWN, Vikings

    Following a 17-yard pass to Justin Jefferson, Sam Darnold finds Josh Oliver wide-open on a crossing route for a touchdown.

  • Vikings moving the ball

    Justin Jefferson has two catches for 27 yards on the Vikings' opening drive, while Aaron Jones has rushed three times for 18 yards.

  • Kam Curl down with injury

    Rams safety Kam Curk is down after tackling Justin Jefferson. There's an injury timeout.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Justin Jefferson's first 4 seasons puts him in some outstanding company

  • WRs Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua active for Rams

    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.

    As Frank Schwab writes, the Rams now face some decisions about their roster:

    "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."

  • Vikings-Rams inactives