The Los Angeles Rams vanquished the Minnesota Vikings 38-31 to remain undefeated on Thursday night. So far, the Rams are making L.A. the “City of Champions” by having one of the best records in the NFL.
“It’s hard to win in this league. It’s hard to be undefeated in this league,” said Rams running back Todd Gurley. “We’re taking steps in the right direction.”
Quarterback Jared Goff made 26 passes for 465 yards, Gurley had 17 carries for 83 yards, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp had nine catches for 162 yards. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald made two sacks for 18 yards.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins covered 422 yards with 36 throws and led the team with 28 rushing yards. Wideout Stephon Diggs created 11 plays and 123 yards. Corner Mike Hughes and linebacker Eric Kendricks made seven combined tackles.
“We got to fix the things we’re doing bad at,” Kendricks said.
The Vikings progressed down the field with passes and reached the endzone on a 16-yard passing play from Cousins to wide receiver Aldrick Robinson. Goff targeted wide receiver Brandin Cooks, Kupp, and tight end Gerald Everett to gain first downs. Gurley scored first for the Rams on an eight-yard pass. The L.A. defense kept Minnesota in the red zone and allowed the Vikings a field goal kick.
Minnesota had a 14-10 lead with 9:40 left second quarter. Goff sent a deep pass on their second down to an open Kupp and no Viking could stop their 70-yard touchdown play.
“I thought Jared threw that with great touch and trajectory right there,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay. “You know where it allowed him to run underneath it and then Cooper to be able to finish.”
This did not deter the Minnesota offense, who earned three consecutive first downs before Cousins fired a 17-yard touchdown pass to Robinson.
Goff launched the ball to wideout Roberts Woods for 36 yards, putting the Rams at Minnesota’s 19-yard line. Under pressure and out of the pocket, Goff tossed the ball to Kupp for a scoring pass and the Rams had 21 points.
“We were kind of getting everything we wanted in the run and the pass,” Goff said. “I think we knew with the way their offense was moving the ball, we had to score a lot of points.”
With 1:33 left in the second quarter, Goff created a scoring 47-yard sling to Cooks. The Los Angeles defense was tough, keeping Minnesota from the endzone. To conclude the second period, Minnesota scored a field goal to bring them within eight points of the Rams.
Gurley swindled the Vikings defense, taking a short pass from Goff to gain 56 yards. This play set the Rams up for a successful field goal. After a 30-yard boost from Diggs, Cousins connected with Adam Thielen for a 45-yard touchdown play.
Five plays later, Woods and Goff edged the score to 38. The Vikings earned only a field goal in the fourth quarter.
“I hate losing. It’s a terrible feeling. Inside, I play with a lot of passion. I play with a lot of energy,” Diggs said. “To lose is one thing, but to see guys go out there and fight is another. I watched my brothers go out there and give it everything they had.”
The Rams will go on a three-game road stint, starting with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 7 at 1:25 p.m.
