Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua’s return sparks Rams’ upset of Vikings
During the offseason, Cooper Kupp co-founded a coffee company.
And when the veteran Rams receiver returned to the lineup Thursday night after a four-game absence, the recently moribund offense anticipated a welcome jolt.
What it got was an unexpected double shot.
Receiver Puka Nacua also returned to the lineup and the two stars helped the Rams defeat the Minnesota Vikings, 30-20, before 72,127 at SoFi Stadium.
Kupp caught a touchdown pass and Nacua amassed 106 yards receiving as the Rams won their second game in a row and improved their record to 3-4.
Matthew Stafford tossed two touchdown passes to receiver Demarcus Robinson, one to Kupp and one to running back Kyren Williams, and rookie edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young sparked the defense as the Rams followed last Sunday’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders by handing the Vikings (5-2) their second consecutive defeat.
Rams sack Sam Darnold for a safety, sealing 30-20 win over Vikings
🏈 Rams 30, Vikings 20 — FINAL
Rams linebacker Byron Young sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold for safety, sealing the Rams’ victory at SoFi Stadium.
Young appeared to get a piece of Darnold’s facemask when he pulled him down, much to chagrin of the Vikings because the play is not eligible for video review. Young even initially reacted as if he would be penalized on the play, but the flag never came, effectively ending the game.
An Ethan Evans punt forced the Vikings to start from their 5-yard line with 1:46 left. A false start penalty preceded the safety.
On the previous possession, the Rams managed to run the clock down to under two minutes. Matthew Stafford found Cooper Kupp for 28 yards on a play that forced Minnesota to use its final timeout with 3:19 left.
Stafford completed 25 of 34 passes for 279 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception.
The Rams are 3-4 heading into their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 3. The Vikings fell to 5-2.
Rams’ defense comes up big late in fourth quarter
🏈 Rams 28, Vikings 20 — 4:11 left in the fourth quarter
The Rams’ defense continues to come up big.
Following the Rams’ scoring drive, the Vikings went three and out. Braden Fisk and Kobie Turner teamed up to sack Sam Darnold for a 13-yard loss on second down.
The Vikings were forced to punt after Darnold threw an incomplete pass on third down.
The Vikings have two timeouts left as Matthew Stafford and the Rams look to hold on to the ball and try to take the win away from the Vikings and former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell.
Rams extend lead on Demarcus Robinson’s second TD
🏈 Rams 28, Vikings 20 — 6:17 left in the fourth quarter
Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to extend the Rams’ lead. It was Robinson’s second touchdown of the game, capping an impressive 10-play, 70-yard drive by the Rams.
A pass interference penalty on Minnesota cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. for 11 yards put the Rams in the red zone. The drive was kept alive a few plays earlier when Kyren Williams picked up three yards on fourth and inches.
Tight end Hunter Long caught an 18-yard pass to help fuel the drive.
Stafford has completed 23 of 32 passes for 243 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception.
Vikings tack on a field goal to make it a one-point game
🏈 Rams 21, Vikings 20 — 12:47 left in the fourth quarter
Will Reichard kicked a 35-yard field goal to cut the Rams’ lead to one point early in the fourth quarter.
The field goal ended a nine-play, 53-yard drive that sputtered in the red zone after Sam Darnold thew an incomplete pass on third down. A 25-yard pass from Darnold to running back Aaron Jones helped fuel the drive.
Matthew Stafford connects with Demarcus Robinson to give Rams the lead
🏈 Rams 21, Vikings 17 — 2:36 left in the third quarter
Matthew Stafford rebounded from an interception and connected with receiver Demarcus Robinson for a 25-yard touchdown.
Stafford also has thrown touchdown passes to running back Kyren Williams and receiver Cooper Kupp.
Stafford set up the touchdown with completions to receiver Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua.
Stafford has completed 19 of 28 passes for 199 yards.
Nacua has seven receptions for 106 yards.
Vikings take lead on Will Reichard field goal in third quarter
🏈 Vikings 17, Rams 14 — 6:22 left in the third quarter
Will Reichard kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the Vikings the lead.
But the Rams might consider it a victory of sorts.
After Byron Murphy Jr. intercepted a pass by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Vikings drove from their 27-yard line on runs by Aaron Jones Sr. and Sam Darnold passes to Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson had a 14-yard catch and then followed it with a spectacular 27-yard sideline catch that moved the Vikings to the Rams’ four-yard line.
But the Rams stopped Jones for a loss on first down, and Darnold’s third-down pass fell incomplete, and the Vikings settled for the field goal.
Rams and Vikings are tied 14-14 at halftime
🏈 Vikings 14, Rams 14 — HALFTIME
After both teams scored on their first two possessions, the defenses began to assert themselves.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford tossed touchdown passes to Kyren Williams and Cooper Kupp, and Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold connected with tight end Josh Oliver and receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. for touchdown pass plays.
Stafford has completed 13 of 18 passes for 105 yards.
Puka Nacua has four catches for 64 yards, Kupp three for 15.
Williams has rushed for 73 yards in 11 carries.
Darnold is 10 of 13 for 112 yards. Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson has six catches for 74 yards.
Cooper Kupp touchdown catch ties game in second quarter
🏈 Rams 14, Vikings 14 — 10:05 left in the second quarter
Matthew Stafford escaped a sack and fired a seven-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cooper Kupp.
It was the first catch for Kupp, playing for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the second game of the season.
The Rams drove 70 yards in 10 plays and benefited from holding and pass interference penalties against the Vikings.
Stafford has completed eight of 11 passes for 85 yards.
Puka Nacua has four catches for 64 yards.
Sam Darnold and Vikings retake lead on another TD
🏈 Vikings 14, Rams 7 — 53 seconds left in the first quarter
Sam Darnold connected with receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. for a 10-yard touchdown pass that capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive.
Darnold has completed eight of eight passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
Justin Jefferson has five catches for 68 yards.
Aaron Jones Sr. has rushed for 36 yards in eight carries.
Rams tie game on Kyren Williams TD catch
🏈 Vikings 7, Rams 7 — 6:38 left in the first quarter
Matthew Stafford found running back Kyren Williams for a five-yard touchdown pass as the Rams answered the Vikings with an impressive drive of their own.
The series marked the return of Rams receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
Nacua dropped a pass on the first play, but he had receptions of 13 and 22 yards during the nine-play, 70-yard drive.
Kupp was targeted once.
Williams rushed for 18 yards in three carries.
Vikings strike fast to take lead in first quarter
🏈 Vikings 7, Rams 0 — 10:30 left in the first quarter
Sam Darnold tossed a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Oliver as the Vikings marched with ease to the early lead.
Justin Jefferson had three catches for 44 yards during the eight-play, 70-yard drive.
Rams safety Kam Curl was assisted off the field with a knee injury after one of Jefferson’s catches.
Cooper Kupp will play Thursday, but will it be his last game with the Rams?
Rams receiver Cooper Kupp will return to the lineup Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. Puka Nacua will not play, but the second-year pro was designated to return to practice on Tuesday.
Will the two stars play in another game together?
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 5.
The Rams’ poor start (2-4) and Kupp’s large contract has the league buzzing that the Rams might move the 2021 NFL offensive player of the year.
Rams running back Kyren Williams looking to make history vs. Vikings
Rams running back Kyren Williams has rushed for a touchdown in every game this season.
If the third-year pro does it again Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings, he will become the seventh player in NFL history to rush for touchdowns in the first seven games. Former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook was the last player to achieve the feat in 2020.
Hall of Famer John Riggins established an NFL record by rushing for touchdowns in the first 12 games of Washington’s 1983 season. Riggins was held without a touchdown in only one of Washington’s 15 games.
Last season, Williams rushed for 1,144 yards and scored 15 touchdowns in 11 games and made the Pro Bowl.
This season, he has rushed for 436 yards, including 76 in last Sunday’s 20-15 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He also has a touchdown catch.
Puka Nacua officially active for Rams vs. Vikings
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is officially active for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. As expected, wide receiver Cooper Kupp is also active.
Here’s a look at the players who won’t be suiting up:
Rams inactives: QB Stetson Bennett, CB Tre’Davious White, RB Cody Shcrader, WR Jordan Whittington, DL Desjuan Johnson.
Cooper Kupp won’t be only familiar face returning when Rams play host to Vikings
Cooper Kupp is aware of the buzz about the Rams possibly trading him.
But the veteran receiver’s focus Thursday night will be on returning to the lineup for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the second week of the season.
“I’m feeling really good,” Kupp said this week as the Rams prepared for their game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium.
It remains to be seen whether the Rams will move on from the 2021 NFL offensive player of the year by the Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline — or keep him if coach Sean McVay’s injury-plagued team shows signs of mounting a turnaround and playoff drive for the second season in a row.
Rough Sunday for QBs but Matthew Stafford and Rams survive
It was a brutal Sunday for NFL quarterbacks.
Injuries, inefficiencies and in-your-face defenses made for rough outings all around the league.
The Rams beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 20-15, and the quarterbacks combined for zero touchdowns and four interceptions.
Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy combined for zero touchdowns and five interceptions in Kansas City’s 28-18 win at San Francisco.
NFL Week 8 picks: Do Chargers have advantage when shorthanded Saints come limping in?
Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups this week. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Record last week 10-5 (.667); season 66-41 (.617). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 10-5 (.667); season 59-47-1 (.557). Times Pacific. TV channels are Los Angeles local.
VIKINGS (5-1) AT RAMS (2-4)
Tonight, 5:15. TV: Channel 11, Prime Video
Line: Vikings by 3. O/U: 48½.
The Rams are playing well on defense and they’re getting Cooper Kupp back. What’s more, the Vikings are crossing two time zones on a short week. Still, Minnesota has more firepower and should have the edge.
Pick: Vikings 27, Rams 23
Puka Nacua eligible to play for Rams vs. Vikings
Cooper Kupp isn’t the only Rams star receiver who could play Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings.
Puka Nacua, who has been sidelined for five games because of a knee injury, was activated from injured reserve about four hours before kickoff, making him eligible to play against a Vikings team that has lost only one game.
Nacua suffered a knee injury during training camp, and he aggravated the injury during the season-opening defeat by the Detroit Lions.
On Monday, the Rams opened Nacua’s 21-day window to return. The Rams conducted jogthroughs, not practices, in the days leading up to Thursday night’s game. Nacua had been listed as limited in the workouts and questionable to play against the Vikings.
Kupp suffered an ankle injury during a Week 2 rout by the Arizona Cardinals. He practiced last week but did not play last Sunday in the Rams’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Linebacker Troy Reeder was placed on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury suffered against the Raiders.
Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings: How to watch, prediction and betting odds
The Rams emerged from their off week to defeat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday, gaining momentum for their Thursday matchup against the Vikings, one of the top teams so far.
Receiver Cooper Kupp returns to action after sitting out four games because of an ankle injury, which could provide the Rams’ offense a much-needed jolt.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford absorbed 10 hits against the Raiders, the second time in as many games he persevered through double-digit blows. Stafford said he was feeling good but is no doubt bracing for another onslaught from a defense coordinated by Brian Flores.
The Rams’ defense, led by cornerback Cobie Durant, forced four turnovers against the Raiders, a performance that it must come close to duplicating against a Vikings team coached by Sean McVay protegé Kevin O’Connell. Quarterback Sam Darnold is enjoying a career rebirth in an offense that includes star receiver Justin Jefferson.