The Los Angeles Rams have regained their competitive edge, starting NFL Week 8 with a 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings during Thursday Night Football. The return of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua from injuries sparked the Rams to their second win in just five days, bringing their season record to 3-4.
In contrast, the Vikings, who began the season with a strong 5-0 record, have now suffered back-to-back losses, dropping their record to 5-2.
Here are some highlights from the game:
Winner: Matthew Stafford
Quarterback Matthew Stafford stands out as a significant winner from this match, having reunited with his top receiving targets. The Rams’ offense had struggled in previous weeks without Kupp and Nacua. In last week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Stafford recorded a mere 154 passing yards, the lowest in his Rams tenure. However, against the Vikings, he turned things around, throwing four touchdowns and completing 25 of 34 passes for 279 yards with one interception. With this performance, Stafford also moved past Dan Marino for ninth place in NFL history for most completions.
Loser: Kevin O’Connell
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was on the receiving end of his former team’s offensive explosion. Before taking the reins of the Vikings, O’Connell served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, contributing to their Super Bowl win in 2022. Unfortunately for him, the Rams posted a season-high in scoring against O’Connell’s squad, which has now lost two consecutive games after a strong start.
Winner: Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp
The return of Nacua and Kupp proves vital for the Rams. Nacua, who missed five games due to a knee ligament injury sustained in the season opener, had a strong comeback, notching seven catches for 106 yards. Kupp, back from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury, recorded five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. Their excellent performances come amid trade rumors, which may be quelled following the Rams’ impressive showing.
Loser: Sam Darnold
For Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, the game marked a disappointing homecoming. With ties to Southern California from his high school and college days, he faced challenges in this crucial matchup. Although he completed 18 of 25 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, he was unable to secure a victory and suffered a safety in the game’s closing moments due to a sack in the end zone.
Winner: Justin Jefferson
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson marked a significant achievement by returning to triple-digit receiving yards. After experiencing a stretch of four consecutive games under 100 yards, Jefferson finally broke through with eight catches for 115 yards. Along the way, he set a new NFL record for the most 100-yard games in a receiver’s first five seasons, surpassing the previous record held by Randy Moss.