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Vikings-Rams: Matthew Stafford's 4 TD passes hand Minnesota its second straight loss

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) struggles as Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) tries to tackle him during the first half. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

In five days, the Minnesota Vikings went from being on top of the NFL world alongside the Kansas City Chiefs to a two-game losing streak and questions everywhere.

The NFL moves quickly. The Vikings lost in the final minute to the Detroit Lions last Sunday and 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 will have to think about acquiring Kupp in a possible trade and wonder if they are playoff contenders, especially in the NFC West. The Vikings also have to ask themselves what their next step is.

The Vikings defense, which stunned the rest of the NFL for five weeks, struggled two weeks in a row, with the Lions and Rams moving the ball against Minnesota. The offense is fine, but often falters after a good start and the loss of left tackle Christian Darrisaw could be an issue.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores had a great start to this season and his defense held off some good attacks. But Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Rams coach Sean McVay have had plenty of answers over the last two weeks. The Vikings aren't in trouble thanks to two losses, but the luster of their feel-good start is starting to wear off.

The Rams played 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 seemed like we might see a repeat.

The Vikings scored on their first drive and moved down the field with ease. The Rams answered with a touchdown, the Vikings immediately answered with Sam Darnold's second touchdown pass of the game and then Cooper Kupp scored to tie the game. Four possessions, four touchdowns. It was an entertaining showdown between two fantastic offensive coaches.

The Vikings struggled with Puka Nacua, who played his first game since the season opener after missing with a knee injury. Nacua had over 100 yards receiving before the end of the third quarter.

After the early goal battle, the defense calmed down. Both teams had problems sustaining their attacks before halftime. Then, with less than a minute left in the half and the Vikings on their own 3-yard line, Darrisaw, Minnesota's fantastic left tackle, rolled up his leg during a running play and had to be carried 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 was among the last two undefeated teams less than a week ago belonged in the NFL.

The Rams took the 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 score a touchdown of their own, but Jalen Nailor dropped a third down pass that would be a first down and perhaps a touchdown. The Vikings settled for a field goal. That's the big mistake the Vikings rarely made in their 5-0 start.

There were other errors. The Vikings incurred several defensive penalties on third downs and kept the Rams' drives alive. The defense that confused many in a hot start didn't confuse Rams head coach Sean McVay or Stafford. Stafford was rarely under pressure and was never 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 an incomplete throw on third-and-21, resulting in a punt. The Rams defense hasn't been very good this season, but the Vikings couldn't do much about it.

To get through most of the rest of the game, the Rams took advantage of the Vikings' aggressive nature. On a third-and-9, they ran a play that looked like a short receiver screen to Nacua. But Stafford waited and threw to Kupp for a 27-yard play. The Vikings had one more shot, but the Rams' punt went out of bounds at the 3-yard line with 1:46 left and Minnesota didn't have a timeout. 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 will loosen up in the coming weeks. But now that they are on everyone's lips, they need to reinvent themselves to avoid a prolonged losing streak.

Live35 updates

  • FINAL: Rams 30, Vikings 20

    An entertaining game ended with a bit of controversy, but the Rams appeared to be the better team. Matthew Stafford was 25 of 34 for 279 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the first games 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 is sacked at the end of the game

    That's enough in Los Angeles. Byron Young beats two blockers to get to Darnold. It looks like officials missed a penalty for face masks. An extremely obvious punishment for face masks. Unfortunately the piece cannot be reviewed.

    The Rams will get through it, but that will be discussed after the game and beyond.

  • The Rams are stopped, but punter Ethan Evans pins the Vikings at 3rd

    The Vikings get the stop, but they need to go 97 yards plus a two-point conversion to get into overtime. No more timeouts and only 1:46 left.

  • 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 get the stop

    Sam Darnold's pass fails on 3rd-and-21 and the Vikings decide to rely on their defense and punt with 4:11 left. The Rams can win here by another score.

  • TOUCHDOWN: Another one for Demarcus Robinson

    There's another one for the veteran wide receiver and a great find from Matthew Stafford. 6:17 remaining eight points.

  • The Rams try it on 4th down and get it

    Another carry for Kyren Williams, who has 89 yards per TD catch so far tonight.

  • FIELD GOAL: The 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 and stayed ahead 21-20. With 12:47 left in the fourth quarter, a big breakthrough is coming.

  • TOUCHDOWN: Demarcus Robinson does it

    Demarcus Robinson's first catch of the night is a big one. He overcame a layup from the Vikings secondary and made a competitive 25-yard catch that gave the Rams a 21-17 lead. Big recovery boost for Stafford, who throws for 71 yards and a TD after this pick.

  • Justin Jefferson's juggling catch in slow motion even better

    Justin Jefferson's 27-yard grab looks even better on replay, going from his left to his right hand before securing the ball and being pushed out of bounds.

  • Field Goal: Vikings 17, Rams 14

    After Justin Jefferson's catch gives Minnesota its first score from the 4-yard line, the Vikings can't put the ball 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 remains open to the Vikings. Sam Darnold hits it down the left sideline for a 27-yard gain.

  • Vikings' OT Christian Darris was sidelined with a knee injury

    Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw rolled up his leg just before halftime and suffered an apparent knee injury. Amazon's Kaylee Hartung reports that he is out for the remainder of the game.

  • Matthew Stafford picked up

    After a turnover-free first half, Matthew Stafford intercepted the Rams' first drive of the second half.

    On the Vikings' 3rd-and-6 play, Stafford overthrows Demarcus Robinson and is fended off by Byron Murphy Jr.

  • The Rams get the kick-off for the 2nd half

    At the start of the second half, the Rams get the ball.

    Will Reichard's kick goes into the end zone and results in a touchback. The Rams start at their 30-yard line.

  • HALFTIME: Vikings 14, Rams 14

    We're at the halfway point! Here are some of the key stats so far:

    Vikings totaled 147 yards of offense

    Sam Darnold 10-13, 112 yards, 2 TD

    Justin Jefferson 6 catches, 74 yards

    Aaron Jones 8 carries, 36 yards

    Rams 192 yards of total offense

    Matthew Stafford 13-18, 105 yards, 2 TD

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

    Puka Nacka 4 catches, 64 yards

  • 2 minute warning

    We're at the two-minute warning and the Rams have the ball. However, they still have a long way to go as they are secured at their own 23 yard line.

  • It's the Rams' turn to punt

    OK, both teams wouldn't score touchdowns on every possession. After the Vikings punt for the first time in the game, the Rams cannot move the ball on the following series.

    Ethan Evans' 42-yard punt brings the Vikings to their 36-yard line with 4:46 left in the first half.

    In the meantime, enjoy Al Michaels' steak stats at West LA restaurant Toscana:

  • Sam Darnold's first two incompletions

    On the fifth series of that game, Sam Darnold threw his first two incompletions. And the Vikings become the first team to punt, with a three-and-out.

  • If you're just checking in…

    So far it has been a track and field duel between the Vikings and Rams.

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