The Los Angeles Rams looked like an entirely new team on Thursday night, powered by the returns of star wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. With his top targets back in action, Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes in a dynamic 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. The win marked the Rams’ first back-to-back triumph of the season, advancing them to 3-4.
Stafford threw for 279 yards, including a pair of TDs to Demarcus Robinson, who played a key role in securing the Rams’ offense. “Having Kupp and Nacua back changes everything,” Stafford noted after the game, and it showed as the Rams’ offense amassed 386 yards in total. Nacua, in his first game since a knee injury, posted 106 receiving yards, his eighth career 100-yard game, while Kupp, back after a four-game absence, contributed five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown
Kyren Williams continued his breakout season, notching 97 rushing yards and a receiving TD, which he scored on the Rams’ first drive. The Rams’ win was sealed when Byron Young’s sack resulted in a safety against Vikings QB Sam Darnold, ending Minnesota’s hopes for a comeback.
For the Vikings, Darnold managed 240 yards, connecting with Justin Jefferson for 115 of them. Although Minnesota jumped to an early lead, the Rams’ defense stiffened, holding the Vikings to just two field goals after the first quarter.
The Rams’ offensive resurgence and a timely defensive stand showcased what a fully healthy lineup can achieve. With Kupp and Nacua adding depth and explosiveness, can the Rams leverage this momentum to stay competitive in the NFC? Fans and analysts will be watching closely.
