The 36-year-old quarterback throws for four touchdowns and LA enchants. Vikings clouds despite the monstrous performance of their wide receiver who finished with 115 yards of receptions
25 October 2024 (change at 4.42pm) – MILAN
The Rams aren’t giving up, not at all. They won on Thursday Night which opened the eighth NFL day by beating Minnesota 30-20 in Los Angeles and clung to a season that had started very badly for them, but which now, after a sudden change in weather, allows a glimpse of the sun on the horizon. Because Coach McVay’s team not only wins, but recovers the two super receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nucua, from injuries in one fell swoop and it is no coincidence that suddenly Matthews Stafford shines again. The 36-year-old quarterback throws for four touchdowns against a defense after throwing just three in six games so far. The Rams win for the second time in a row and climb to 3-4 record, still in the running for the playoffs and for the Division, the NFC West. Minny loses the second match in a row and climbs to 5-2 in record, returning to Earth after the stratospheric start. The usual wild Justin Jefferson is not enough, in his 31st game with over 100 yards of catches: the defense collapses and the attack pays for the injury of left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
ARCOBALENO RAMS
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It can’t rain forever. McVay must have repeated Eric Draven’s iconic phrase in the movie The Crow to his boys when it seemed to be getting late early for the Rams. Defeated in 4 of the first 5 games. Rumors of calls made by other teams to explore Kupp’s availability on the transfer market had been recurring recently. If the Rams season had been assessed as compromised, perhaps at a good price Los Angeles could have let go some valuable pieces, the blond receiver above all. No, no rush. The Rams win and don’t demobilize. Division leaders Seattle is now just one game away and is their next opponent. If successful…The Rams plan to turn around a season that started off badly, but is now promising. The attack shone and the defense improved after a nightmare start. Not spectacular, but decent.
VIKING CLOUDS
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The start of the season had been surprising, perhaps illusory. Minnesota isn’t bad: it has a phenomenon in Jefferson, who this time finished with 115 yards of receptions, another offensive playmaker in Aaron Jones, the former Packer running back, and a solid defense. But the quarterback, Sam Darnold, had never convinced in his career until now. He is playing his best football but remains far from the best in the position and the Division, the NFC North, is tough, with Detroit, Green Bay and Chicago as rivals. In short, reaching the playoffs is not a given. That offensive line leaves a lot of doubts in pass protection.
THE MATCH
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Darnold triggers tight end Josh Oliver to make it 7-0, the Rams reply: Kyren Williams receives from Stafford for the touchdown to make it 7-7. Darnold starts 8/8 on passes, catches Trent Sherfield to make it 14-7 Vikings, the score at the end of the 1st quarter. Stafford responds again by finding Kupp in the end zone for 14-all. 53rd career touchdown for Kupp. 4 tries in the first 4 offensive possessions, two on each side. Before the break, Darrisaw, the cornerstone of Minnesota’s attacking line, hurt his left knee. 14 equal at halftime. 73 yards rushing by Williams, 74 receiving by Jefferson. We start again and Murphy intercepts Stafford, then a circus catch by Jefferson favors the 17-14 kick by kicker Reichard. Stafford reacts: he feeds Demarcus Robinson in the end zone with a fabulous throw from 25 yards for the first Rams lead: 21-17 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Then 21-20, and Stafford goes to Robinson again to score the touchdown to make it 28-20. Young’s safety – spoiled by an unsanctioned face mask – ends the match. The Rams don’t give up, the Vikings find themselves vulnerable.
