The Los Angeles Rams produced a season-high 30 points in Thursday night’s upset over the Minnesota Vikings, and it’s no wonder why.
With wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua healthy and back playing together for the first time since Week 1, Matthew Stafford carved up the Vikings’ stout defense with 279 yards and four touchdowns in the 30-20 victory.
L.A.’s dynamic duo combined for 12 receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown in the season-changing win, which puts the Rams (3-4) right in the thick of an NFC West race that’s there for the taking.
Stafford recognized the return of his top wide receivers as a big boost for the entire team, let alone the offense.
“It’s what you envisioned (for this offense) when training camp started and it’s nice to have those guys back,” Stafford said. “I said it earlier, but I really do think it was great for our entire team. It was great for our offense, obviously. I was so happy and proud for those guys to be back out on the grass with us, but also really big for our defense, our special teams, (because) everybody feels that when those guys are back in.”
Nacua was the star of the show. The Rams’ second-year wideout didn’t get off on the right foot, dropping the first pass intended for him in the first quarter, but he was Stafford’s go-to target for a good majority of the game and played an instrumental role as the Rams traded TDs with the Vikings in the first four drives of the night.
Nacua finished with seven receptions for 106 yards, leading the team in both categories, but the nature of his return made it even more eye-opening.
“I thought it was really impressive,” Kupp said of Nacua, who was activated off injured reserve on Thursday. “Puka had one practice. He had one practice against people since Detroit. So, for him to come back and do what he did today, coming off one practice is good. Obviously, you’re not going to give him an excuse to think that he needs one practice every week. But he did a really good job, and it was cool to see him and Matthew connect.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay added: “(Nacua) had shown that he was ready for that performance. This guy’s mindset and mentality. He’s a war daddy, he’s a stud. I love his play energy and what he brings. He was ready to go tonight and made a big impact on the game.”
Kupp, who wasn’t put on IR as he dealt with an ankle injury, produced five catches for 51 yards and a TD score in his first game since Week 2. Those numbers weren’t typical of the eighth-year veteran, but he came up clutch on a couple of crucial plays.
After evading a would-be sack on a goal-to-go play in the second quarter, Stafford zipped a seven-yard TD to the always-ready Kupp in the second quarter to tie the game at 14. Kupp’s synergy with Stafford would rear its head again in the final frame, connecting for 27 yards on third-and-9 to flip the field and force Minnesota to expend the rest of its timeouts.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported this week that teams were inquiring with the Rams about a potential trade. McVay confirmed those reports of teams calling, but wasn’t entertaining the idea of trading away the Rams’ star wide receiver following Thursday night’s win.
“I’m really glad to have Cooper Kupp back with us and I expect it to stay that way,” McVay said.
The Rams offense returned to form with Kupp and Nacua back in the lineup in more ways than one. Running back Kyren Williams was free to make an impact, producing 116 scrimmage yards (97 rushing) and a receiving score. Wideout Demarcus Robinson also found the end zone on two of his three receptions in the second half.
Stafford’s four TD passes against the Vikings more than doubled his season total (three) coming into Week 8. There’s no question what was missing for a Rams team that dropped four of its first five games due to their offensive struggles.
McVay, who became the Rams’ all-time leader in wins (80) with Thursday’s triumph, knew his offense was in for a much-needed jolt as soon as Kupp and Nacua were back on the practice field earlier this week.
“I think it was in the walkthrough on Tuesday,” McVay remarked.
With their offense healthier than ever in 2024, the Rams will go forward and look to improve their standing within the division with a Week 9 road tilt against the Seattle Seahawks (4-3).
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